July 2, 2026, 1:31 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Some people are greeted enthusiastically by dogs, while others are ignored or even met with suspicion. But why do dogs decide so differently? How do they recognize whom they like, and what role do experiences, body language, or even the behavior of their owner play? PETBOOK spoke with a dog trainer about this.
Overview
Why Do Dogs Prefer Some People Over Others?
It was love at first sight: No, I don’t mean my partner, nor my previous boyfriend or any of the others before. I’ve only truly experienced “love at first sight” with my dog Rudi. From the start, there was a kind of primal trust, enthusiasm, and deep affection between Rudi and me.
Originally, he was supposed to stay with me temporarily, a small former street dog from animal welfare. When he was handed to me wagging at a highway rest stop, climbed confidently onto my lap in the car, and licked my comfort food, an ice cream from the fast-food drive-in, it was all over for both of us.
Rudi liked me, I liked him, and I couldn’t imagine him being better off anywhere else. It’s possible, says dog expert Laura Garvs from the online dog school wedog upon inquiry from PETBOOK. Dogs, according to the expert, are very social animals and can therefore form particularly strong bonds with people. Similarly, it can happen that they don’t quite “warm up” to some people.
How Do I React When My Dog Gives Others the Cold Shoulder?
Colleagues who soon got to know my dog Rudi were liked by him too. Just like almost all people—except for a few rare encounters that meant well but from which he turned away disinterestedly. Sometimes it seems as if he wants to choose for himself whom he gives attention to and whom he doesn’t. I’ve had situations where Rudi showed the cold shoulder to dog-loving people who lovingly whispered, “Well, who are you, sweetie?” I regularly feel sorry about that. But I shouldn’t.
“It’s completely normal for a dog not to want to be petted sometimes,” says dog trainer Laura Garvs. “A dog doesn’t have to like being touched by various, perhaps even unfamiliar, people.” Dog owners have the important task of recognizing the feelings and needs of the dog and standing up for them. “Only then can the other person understand the dog’s behavior and pay attention to the dog’s body language next time,” says the expert.
Dogs decide for themselves whom they like or not. Often, however, they are not completely uninfluenced. As owners, we may unconsciously help them decide how the dog feels about our counterpart.
Owner’s Behavior Could Influence Whether Dogs Like Someone
Dogs, generally considered very empathetic, likely model their behavior toward other people on their owners’ behavior. This is according to a study from Kyoto University in Japan, which suggests that animals, like young children, observe the social interactions of their human family members and mimic the behavior. If your dog is indifferent to a person, it could be due to your attitude toward that person.
Positive and Negative Experiences
It’s not always your behavior that influences your dog. Experiences the dog has had in the past—both positive and negative—affect its later preferences and dislikes. If dogs react negatively to a certain “type” of person, they often have had negative experiences with that type of person.
This can be either blonde women or tall, dark-haired men. If your dog grew up with women, he will likely feel drawn to women later on. Conversely, if he was teased by a child, the chances are slim that your dog will be particularly fond of children.
There Is a Positive Dog Aura
Perhaps you know those enviable people who always seem completely relaxed. Often, these are the people who are particularly attractive to dogs: the more indifferent a person is, the better. Self-confidence is attractive, as alpha animals in a pack also exude confidence. There are also studies suggesting that dogs observe social interactions in groups and draw conclusions from them.
Your dog’s judgment would then depend on how his counterpart generally behaves toward other living beings; if a person is generous, they would be more trustworthy to your dog than someone who frequently gets into conflicts or is very cold toward others. However, the current state of research questions this theory, according to the Information Service Science.
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Do I Have to Be My Pet’s Favorite Person?
Dogs can sometimes be real opportunists. If your dog once again eagerly accepts a treat from the veterinarian or greets your brother-in-law whining with joy at the door, you might wonder if you are truly his “favorite person.” The perhaps disappointing answer here: not necessarily. Even if you are the primary caregiver, it doesn’t mean your dog prefers you over other people. That depends on various factors.
Dogs usually have the closest bond with people who cared for them during their socialization period, from puppyhood to about six months old. These experiences shape young dogs for their future lives, so it’s important to give your dog trust and security during this time. Every positive encounter turns your puppy into a confident, happy dog.
Try to create many positive interactions with a variety of people, places, and things. If you adopted your dog later, you can still work on a deeper bond. Give your dog attention, frequently try new things with him, and work with positive feedback. Physical closeness, petting, and playing create emotional closeness and trust. Regularly take time for this.
Conclusion: Dogs Have Their Own Taste
Dogs have their own taste when it comes to whom they like or not. Often, however, they are influenced by their owners and decide based on your relationship with certain people whether they like someone or not. Positive or negative experiences can also play a role in your dog’s behavior.
If your dog prefers you over other people and you don’t count as one of his absolute “favorite people,” don’t take it personally. Instead, try to work on your bond with the animal, as it’s never too late for that. You don’t have to be number one everywhere.