This Boxer's Hilarious Way of Choosing Sides Has His Dad Questioning Everything
You spend your entire day working from home, taking your dog on multiple hikes, and handing out high-value treats, yet the moment you sit down next to him on the couch, he gets right up and leaves the room.
That is the reality for one man, who shared on Reddit that his 5-year-old Boxer no longer loves him. In his words, the dog avoids cuddling, leaves the room when he sits nearby, and is more attached to his dad's girlfriend than his dad.
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As the disappointed pet parent said, "He shows the least amount of affection/excitement towards me compared to literally everyone else".
For many pet parents, the thought of your dog choosing someone else instead of you is unfathomable.
Reddit Came to the Rescue
The post on Reddit's r/DogAdvice quickly drove comments and responses from many pet parents. They recognized something familiar, and many of the conversations revolved around one specific habit: dogs turning their backsides toward the people they trust most. While the miserable dad thinks his dog doesn't love him, the community offered relief.
One commenter said, "Dogs sitting with their back to you is a sign of trust. They don't have to keep an eye on you because they know you won't hurt them."
Another joked, "My dog shows me his butt hole more than his face." The jokes continued, with one saying, "I have 2 dane mixes with their butts pointed at me right now. Pray for me."
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Why Do Dogs Show Their Butt to Their Parents?
As funny as the comments were, the discussion touched on something behavior experts often point out about dogs. Many dogs turn away or rest with their backs toward trusted humans because it allows them to relax while still monitoring their environment.
In the canine world, turning their means signals comfort and security, not rejection. You might have experienced your own version of this situation. For example, maybe your dog follows your partner from one room to another, barely seeing you through the day. But then, at bedtime, they curl against your legs like you are the safest place in the world.
And let's not forget that the term "spare human" has grown in popularity recently. Maybe the man in the Reddit post is going through it right now.
Does Your Dog Love You?
When you fall in love with someone, it is normal to want reassurance from that person. We want to feel loved by the person we love.
But as strangely as it sounds, we also want our dogs to love us. We want them to wag their tails at the door when we come, rest their head on our lap, and we love the moments they say, "You are my favorite person."
But dogs do not communicate like us. For dogs, love sometimes is leaning against your legs or bringing you a toy. Yet, sometimes, love looks like planting their butt directly in your face while they fall asleep.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 2:48 PM.