For all the spare pet parents out there: wear your silver medal with pride. After all, being the backup favorite means you get all the love with half the hair on your black pants.

It's 6 AM, and your partner barely stirs before your dog bounds over to their side of the bed, tail wagging with the intensity of a helicopter blade. You've been awake for ten minutes, and your pup hasn't even glanced in your direction. Sound familiar? Welcome to the club of second-favorite humans.

Let's face it: being the spare pet parent isn't exactly what you dreamed of when you brought that bundle of fur home. But before you spiral into an existential crisis about why you're not your dog's favorite person, let's unpack this emotional realization and dissect why being second best isn't as bad as you think (and why it's totally normal!)

Signs you're not your pet's favorite human

First, let's acknowledge the obvious signs that your pet has imprinted on someone else. While some of these behaviors might feel personal (like that Olympic-worthy sprint past you to greet your partner at the door), they're truly just neutral indicators of pet preference:

• Greeting intensity: While they give others an enthusiastic full-body wiggle complete with happy whines, they might welcome you with just a little less oomph. The intensity and duration of greetings is one of the most reliable indicators of pet preference.

• Physical positioning: Watch where your pet chooses to rest. If they consistently position themselves to maintain eye contact with someone else, even when you're offering prime lap real estate, that's a clear sign of their preference. They also may lay at the feet of or want to prolong physical contact with their favorite human.

• Stress response: During anxiety-inducing situations (thunderstorms, fireworks, vet visits), they immediately seek out their favorite person for comfort, even if you're closer or more accessible.

• Command response time: They mysteriously develop selective hearing when you call them but can detect their favorite person opening a cheese wrapper from three rooms away.

• Sleep preferences: Even if you're the one who bought that luxury pet bed, they'll choose to sleep pressed against someone else's door when bedtime comes around.

• Distress signals: When their favorite person leaves the house, your pet shows visible signs of distress (whining, pacing, waiting by the door). When you leave? They might not even pause their nap.

• Physical affection reception: While they lean into others' pets and actively seek their touch, they might politely tolerate your affection without reciprocating or asking for more.

Why are dogs drawn to certain people? The science of favoritism

Before you start googling "why does my dog like my partner more than me" at 3 AM, let's break down why pets have favorites in the first place. It turns out, dogs choosing their favorite human isn't a personal slight against your character – it's actually hardwired into their DNA.

Dogs, while domesticated, are still often ruled by instinct. That means they can develop preferences depending on a variety of factors like:

• Early socialization: The person who was most present during their critical developmental period (usually between 3-12 weeks) often gets the golden ticket to favorite status. For adopted pets, this can translate to whoever brought them home or who they learn to trust first.

• Keeper of treats: If you're wondering why your dog performs a happy dance when your partner walks in, consider who's been slipping them chicken bits during training sessions. Professional trainers confirm that positive reinforcement – whether through treats, praise, or play – creates powerful bonds.

• Consistency is king: For anxious or fearful dogs especially, the favorite person often turns out to be whoever provides the most predictable presence. Think about it: clockwork-precise evening walks and steady morning routines create a security blanket of predictability that anxious pups crave. Even if you're the one buying the premium kibble, your irregular WFH schedule might be working against you in the favorite human competition.

• Entertainment value: If your partner is the designated ball-thrower or tug-of-war champion, they're essentially your dog's equivalent of the "fun aunt" who lets kids eat ice cream for breakfast. The person who consistently engages in a dog's favorite activities may naturally become associated with joy and excitement.

• Social butterfly: Even if you are your pet's certified favorite human, some animals can't resist the allure of new faces. They're like kids at a birthday party - totally devoted to their parents until the entertainment shows up. My pittie is a perfect example: I'm her entire universe until a visitor arrives, at which point she transforms into the neighborhood's most enthusiastic welcome wagon.

Here's the real kicker: unless your dog has a happy-go-lucky personality that loves everyone equally (yes, those golden retriever personalities exist), these factors tend to stack up over time to create clear preferences. And sometimes, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves on the wrong side of the treat jar.

The silver lining of second place

Here's the plot twist that pet experts have been trying to tell us: not being your pet's singular obsession isn't just okay – it might actually be ideal. Let's dive into why:

First, some real talk: a dog that's completely fixated on one person isn't necessarily showing deep love – they might be displaying signs of unhealthy attachment or separation anxiety. As flattering as it might feel to have a furry shadow who can't bear to let you pee alone, that level of dependency often signals underlying stress or insecurity. Think of it like human relationships: someone who can't function without their partner probably isn't showing greater love; they may instead be showing poor emotional regulation.

The healthiest, most well-adjusted pets typically form strong but flexible bonds with multiple family members. It's actually a sign of good socialization when your dog can:

• Feel secure enough to bond with different family members

• Maintain multiple "favorite" humans for different activities

• Function normally when their "primary" person isn't around

• Switch attachment figures without distress

Plus, there are some genuine perks to being the backup human:

• You get to be the fun aunt/uncle figure – all the joy, less of the constant responsibility

• Your bathroom breaks don't require an audience

• When separation anxiety training starts, you're not the one doing the heavy lifting

• You can leave the room without triggering a crisis

• You get to watch your pet bond with other loved ones, like your partner or best friend

Embracing your role as the backup human

Instead of asking "why am I not my dog's favorite person?" try reframing the question to "how can I be the best spare pet parent ever?" Here's how to thrive in your supporting role:

Create your own special rituals that don't compete with the favorite human's territory. Maybe you become the designated treat dispenser, belly rub specialist, or trick teacher. Take time to establish 1:1 time with your pet, where you give them quality attention and affection. This might go a long way to strengthen your bond in the long run.

Remember that pets, like humans, have complex emotional lives. Your dog having a favorite person doesn't mean they don't love you – they're just expressing it differently. Think of it like having a best friend and other close friends; both relationships are valuable, just different.

The universal truth about pet favorites

Do pets have favorites? Absolutely. Do pets have a favorite person? You bet. But here's the thing: favorites don't equal better. Your cat might prefer sleeping on your partner's lap, but you're the one they seek out when they're sick. Your dog might shadow your roommate all day, but you're their go-to during thunderstorms.

In the end, being jealous that your dog likes someone else more is like being upset that your friend has other friends – it's natural, but unnecessary. The pet parent hierarchy isn't a competition; it's more like a cooperative where everyone plays their part in creating a happy, healthy home for your soulful sidekick.

So the next time your dog bypasses your loving arms to launch themselves at your partner, remember: second place comes with its own set of perks. And hey, at least you're not the mailman.

Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.