Dogs are not inherently more attracted to male owners. Instead, their preference often stems from their early socialization and who primarily cared for them.
According to Dr. Bonk, "if they're primarily taken care of by a male, they may prefer males." This indicates a direct correlation between the primary caregiver's gender and the dog's preference. The same applies to female caregivers, with dogs often showing a preference for females if that was their primary experience.
Here is a breakdown of factors:
- Socialization: Early experiences during a dog's critical socialization period significantly impact their preferences. If a male is the primary caregiver during this period, the dog will likely form a stronger bond with and be more attracted to males.
- Primary Caregiver: The gender of the person who feeds, walks, plays with, and generally cares for the dog most often influences their preferences. If this person is male, the dog is more likely to gravitate towards men.
- Past Experiences: Dogs may also develop preferences based on positive or negative experiences with people of specific genders. While the reference doesn't explicitly state this, past experiences can definitely shape a dog's preferences.
To summarize, the notion of dogs being more attracted to male owners is not a universal truth; rather it depends on the dog's upbringing and primary caregiver.
