When Should You Be Concerned?
Although it can get annoying, even a tad creepy, the majority of the time your dog wants to follow you is nothing to be concerned about. However, if your dog obsessively following you is a new behavior, that may indicate they need to be seen by a veterinarian or behavior consultant.
It’s important to pay extra-close attention to canine body language and communication. If you notice your dog’s following-you-around behavior includes signs of stress, you should seek help from a certified behavior consultant or positive reinforcement trainer. A tense-looking body, vocalizations such as whining or barking, or the inability to settle down, would all suggest issues of fear or even anxiety.
If you find the behavior came on suddenly, there could be an underlying health issue. Moving slowly or groaning when lying down, sensitivity to touch, or changes in behavior like not eating or issues pottying, indicate a need to be seen by your vet right away.
Remember that your dog may also be experiencing physical changes, so keep an eye on his or her health behaviors. If he or she seems lethargic or uncomfortable, the clingy behavior is secondary to the real issue, and a vet visit is in order. You may find that your dog is just naturally clingy, either by nature or nurture. Dont feel guilty if you suspect that you may be encouraging your dog to stay close by giving him or her extra attention. If you like having your dog by your side 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it works for the two of you, there is no reason why you should stop doing it.
If your dog not only needs to be close to you but shows intense distress when the two of you are apart, the issue may be separation anxiety rather than simple clinginess. This may be the case if your dog gets upset when you are about to leave the house, or if you hear him or her barking or howling as you walk away. Some dogs with separation anxiety will also show their distress through destructive behavior, such as chewing up household objects or urinating indoors, yet the behavior is not present when dog and owner are together. If your dog starts to appear nervous whenever it seems like the two of you are separated, try offering him or her a comfort object or an interesting toy such as one filled with treats. This may ease the dogs developing anxiety, but if it gets worse, you may need to consult with a veterinarian or behaviorist.
No one gets a dog because they want more alone time. Dogs love for human companionship is one of the things that make them mans (or womans) best friend, and that kind of unconditional love is certainly something to celebrate. If your dog seems happy when hes with you, and not too unhappy when you part, feel free to revel in the puppy love!
Of course, just like some toddlers are more insistent on being close to their parents, so some dogs cling more to their owners. Working dogs tend to have a more intense need for human company since they are bred to work side-by-side with people. For other dogs, it is their experiences and not their breeding that makes them want to stay close to their people. Dogs who are getting older may want to stay close to their owners, if only because they hear or see less well and are less comfortable moving around on their own. A dog may also follow his or her owners around for comfort if he or she is not feeling well or is stressed out by a life change such as a move to a new home. Some dogs learn that their owners give them a pat or a treat every time they see their canine companions nearby, and so closeness is a way of getting more attention. Conversely, if a dog is feeling bored and not having enough playtime, he or she can start following his or her owner in the hopes that a game will start or a walk will happen.
So, when should you encourage your dog to stick by you, and when do you need to create some distance? If your dog is always following you around asking to play, it is more important to meet that need than to keep your dog close. Mental and physical stimulation is an important canine need, so consider taking some time out of your day for a romp in the backyard or even just a walk through the neighborhood. You may have a lot going on, but your dog only has you to meet all of his or her needs. If your dog just wants to be near you, and this is a new behavior, think about what else in your dogs life is new. Do you have a new person in the house, or has there been a change in your schedule? If so, make sure that your dog has a predictable routine. Once he or she feels more comfortable, the following behavior should decrease.
Clubs Offering:
We love spending quality time with our pups. But there may be days when we wonder, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” The answer has to do with your dog’s animal instinct, pack mentality, and a few other variables.
Canine companions that follow their humans everywhere are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because of their desire to be attached to your side. “Dogs are pack animals, and we are their pack,” says Sally Morgan, author and holistic physical therapist for pets and people.
While having your dog follow you everywhere might seem cute and lovable, it can be an indication that something else is going on. According to Dr. Rachel Barrack, licensed veterinarian certified in veterinary acupuncture with Animal Acupuncture in New York City, there are scientific reasons behind dogs’ clingy behavior. “Young puppies (anywhere from birth to 6 months of age) can often imprint on their owners and look to them as they would their mother,” says Dr. Barrack.
Another reason your dog might stay close to your side is positive reinforcement. “If every time you are with your dog, he gets affection or treats, he’s likely to follow you around more often,” Dr. Barrack says. If you’re flattered by this affection, and reward your dog for being clingy, you’re sending him a message that the behavior is welcome.
Because dogs respond to their owners’ behavior, it’s important to examine your relationship. For example, if your dog sleeps in your bed, you might be creating a dependency and reinforcing his need to be close to you at all times.
In households consisting of multiple people, there’s a good chance your dog will become fixated on one person in particular. Sometimes it’s the primary caregiver who provides food and walks or the fun-time human who plays tug-of-war, a game of catch, or hands out endless amounts of treats.
“Look at it from the dog’s point of view,” says Erin Kramer, a professional certified dog trainer and owner of Tug Dogs in Northern California. “You might think you’re the cool one, but the person your dog is attached to is the road to everything wonderful and magical. The focus is on that person because of what they give access to.”
A dog’s life experience before entering your home can play a big part when it comes to being fixated on one person, especially for dogs who have been rescued. What was their life like before they came to live with you? “Those previous experiences have an impact on a dog and can contribute to the lingering fear of abandonment,” says Dr. Barrack.
It’s not uncommon for certain breeds to over-attach to their owners, particularly dogs in the working or herding groups that are bred to work side-by-side with their humans. “It’s a trait that’s prized and bred into their genetic history,” says Kramer.
If your dog is overly attached, it’s important to figure out whether this velcro behavior is part of his personality and breeding, or if something more serious is going on. For example, an older dog may be losing his sight or hearing, becoming more fearful of the environment and dependent on having you near.
“A dog that suddenly becomes very clingy may be suffering from a physical ailment and keeping you in reach for comfort. A checkup by the veterinarian is a good idea if this happens,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer.
Could a dog who is attached to you at the hip be showing signs of separation anxiety? While they’re both associated with not wanting to be away from an owner, there are some distinct yet subtle differences between these two forms of behavior.
The big difference between separation anxiety and being a velcro dog is anxiety itself. While velcro dogs prefer to be glued to their owners, dogs with true separation anxiety actually panic when they’re away from their owners.
Velcro dogs may be more susceptible to developing separation anxiety, but it doesn’t automatically mean they will. However, it should serve as a wake-up call to address the behavior before it reaches the point where your dog can’t function without you in the picture.
There are various approaches owners can take to help a dog who exhibits these traits. What is best is a dog who loves your attention and being close to you, but is fine when you’re not around.
Many of us get a dog so we will have a constant companion. Your dog deserves your love and attention, and it’s up to you to find a healthy balance for time together and apart. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
Apparently, we humans need a buddy beside us when we’re doing the laundry, changing the sheets, searching for the phone charger, and of course during bathroom breaks. At least according to our dogs. Maybe they think we need their support, even as we are reaching for the toilet paper roll they chewed on yesterday. Privacy? What’s that?
Despite what dog owners are often told (thanks Google!), this behavior has nothing to do with your dog being a pack animal or your dog trying to “steal” your space. Dogs, like people, are social animals and they enjoy the company of their loved ones. They love it so much that at times they will endure your dirty bathroom (don’t look at mine!) just to be with you.