05/25/2026
Which type of dog owner are you? Here’s six different types of dog owners:
Do you know your pet parenting style? Are you the fun one? Are you obsessed with rules? Or are you paying a little too much attention to your pup?
While every pet-parent relationship is unique, pet parents tend to fall into one of six types. Each type just has unique ways of bonding with and loving their fur baby — no one is better than the other!
Take a look at the 6 pet parenting styles, and see if one resonates with you! You might learn something about your pet-parent relationship.
Adventurous Dog Parent
Vivacious personalities and adventurous spirits are core descriptors for an adventurous dog parent — and your pup likely matches you in this way. You are always seeking out an exciting excursion to share with your fur baby, and you love to set up fun games and obstacle courses for your pup.
Dog beaches, park walks, dog-friendly coffee shops…you’ve already thought of it and tried it. You’re likely to take your pup wherever you go, and you’re sure to have a blast on every outing.
Ultimately, you are your pup’s best friend and their ultimate companion! You bond while having fun together, and those unique experiences create a one-of-a-kind relationship.
Hummingbird Dog Parent
If your pup is your peer and you regularly find yourself defending their intelligence, you might be a hummingbird dog parent. The opposite of a helicopter parent, you think of your dog as your equal (highly intelligent and very capable) and let your pup discover their independence.
Like a hummingbird, you’re in the vicinity and available when needed, but not overbearing. You love off-leash time, and your fur baby is really respectful and comfortable with others. You love to take your companion with you, but don’t stress too much about leaving them behind either.
Bonding time looks like playing fetch at a local park and letting your pup explore while you hang out with them. You’re amazing at encouraging your pup’s innate curiosity and independence.
Perfectionist Dog Parent
Being a perfectionist gets a bad rap, but the perfectionist parenting type often makes for the most responsible, caring pet parents. So don’t be shy; claim your title!
You absolutely follow the rules of the dog park, always have your pet on a leash and would never leave p**p behind. Your fur baby is very well trained and likely graduated top of their training class — in large part thanks to your hard work. As a pet parent, you love rules, clarity and routines.
You’re also likely monitoring community pet groups and helping lost dogs find their way home. You and your fur baby bond while training, and they love the consistency and predictability of your parenting style.
Proactive Dog Parent
A.K.A. the gear head of the group, you’re always carrying around a bag full of “essentials” — not limited to but including p**p bags, leash, collapsible water bowl, toys and more.
Your fur baby never has to worry about being without! The prepared parent you are, you’ve prepared for every outing and possible encounter. You two go to the best dog parks and have mapped out your exact route. You take action now to protect their future through supplements, routines, grooming and more.
Your fur baby’s needs are constantly met, and you bond over routine. At the root of every proactive dog parent is a nurturing guardian!
Helicopter Dog Parent
The helicopter parent is a loaded stereotype, but with dog children it’s just adorable. Simply put, you love your pup and are always concerned for their well being — and we mean always!
You love to help your fur baby reach their full potential and best quality of life through training, high-quality meals, appropriate playtime and more. You love to oversee every aspect of your pup’s life — from vet visits to grooming and playtime.
You and your pup are extra close and love to learn together. Be sure to give them some time to be curious and explore without you too!
Velcro Dog Parent
You definitely carry your pup around in a bag. You and your four-legged companion are attached at the hip and have the cutest cuddling sessions of all time. And there’s absolutely no question about whether your fur baby sleeps in the bed with you.
You and your pup might be prone to separation stress, or your friends might call your dog a bit clingy. And while it’s worth pursuing a little independence, you know that ultimately you and your fur baby just love being around each other.
You and your pup bond by experiencing life together in the mundane ways — and with puppy movie nights. A velcro dog parent and their pup have a special closeness that can’t be compared!
No matter your parenting type (or whether you resonate with one at all), it’s most important that your fur baby is getting loved by you. Your pup is the luckiest to have a parent like you!
