Does your dog always follow you and never leave your side? Is his attention always focused on you?
You may have what is called a “Velcro dog.” Let’s find out what this means and if you should be worried about your dog’s clingy behavior.
What are Velcro dogs?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you probably have a clingy dog. Some refer to clingy dogs as “Velcro dogs” (named after VELCRO®) because it’s like your dog is attached to you.
Although clingy dog behavior can be endearing, it can also be frustrating, especially when your dog just won’t leave you alone, not even for a minute!
Why is my dog so clingy?
There are several reasons why your dog may be clingy. It may simply be a learned behavior or it may be a sign of a problem. The best option is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so you can work together to determine the cause of your dog’s attachment.
Here are some common reasons why dogs may be clingy:
Learned behavior
Attachment in dogs is often a learned behavior. Dogs learn this behavior from humans by the way we interact with them. If you always give your dog food when he follows you to the kitchen, or pet him whenever he lies down next to you, you are teaching him that following you generates some type of reward.
If you give puppies constant attention while they are developing, they may become afraid of being alone and later never want to leave your side.
Illness or aging
Older dogs with vision or hearing loss, or those experiencing cognitive decline, may suddenly become clingy because their world becomes unfamiliar to them.
Dogs that are sick or bored may also become clingy. Talk to your veterinarian to understand what could be causing the sudden, clingy behavior.
Anxiety and stress
Dogs that have anxiety problems often develop clingy dog behaviors. Interestingly, dogs can also become clingy if they sense our stress or anxiety.
Dogs can also become clingy if you change their daily routine or make changes around the house or home that cause them stress.
Clingy Dog Breeds
As if all these reasons were not enough, some dog breeds are prone to attachment. For example, lap dogs, like Shih Tzus, tend to be needy dogs. Additionally, working dogs, which are trained to be dependent, can become clingy.
Separation anxiety
Clinginess in dogs can also indicate a larger behavioral problem: separation anxiety. It is important to know the difference between a clingy dog and a dog with separation anxiety to know how to best manage the behavior. To do this you will need the help of your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.
Attachment and separation anxiety are similar but not exactly the same. Generally, what separates them is how a dog reacts to being away from the person or people away from him.
Clingy dogs want to be around you when you’re home, but they don’t panic when you’re not there. A dog with separation anxiety panics when you are not around.
Separation anxiety causes dogs to engage in anxious and destructive behavior when left alone. Such behavior includes incessant whining, pacing, destructive chewing, and urinating or defecating in the home.
Attachment becomes a problem when it progresses to separation anxiety. If a clingy dog begins to become anxious or panic when left alone, it is time to suspect separation anxiety and seek professional behavioral help.
A veterinary behaviorist can help you implement behavior modifications to reduce anxiety. Fortunately, not all clingy dogs develop separation anxiety.
How to Help Your Dog Be Less Clingy
If you have a clingy dog no separation anxiety, there are ways to teach them to be more independent. Here are several strategies that can help reduce a dog’s attachment.
- increase exercise. A good bout of physical activity will tire your dog out enough that he has little interest in following you. Make sure the exercise is appropriate for your dog’s age and health history. Consult with your veterinarian about appropriate exercises for your dog.
- Stimulate your mind. A bored dog can become clingy because he has nothing better to do. Interactive toys keep dogs mentally stimulated and encourage independent play.
- Create a special space. Set up a space with your dog’s bed and favorite toys where your dog can go instead of following you. Train your dog to go to this area with a cue like “Go to your special space” and immediately reward him with a treat when he goes there.
- Desensitize your dog to your movements. Your dog has probably associated certain movements (e.g., going to the kitchen, grabbing keys) with you rewarding him or leaving him. To “normalize” these movements, practice doing them without doing the normal activity that accompanies them.
For example, go into the kitchen and start sweeping instead of putting out food, or grab your keys and turn on the TV instead of leaving the house. Over time, your dog will learn that his movements do not deserve much or any attention.
How to Help Clingy Senior Dogs
Older dogs with vision loss can sometimes benefit from adding night lights in dark areas. Also, keep the general configuration of your home and its furniture the same. Dogs with vision loss tend to learn to navigate their environment through their other senses, but can become confused even when a chair is in a different location.
Certain foods and supplements have been shown to help with cognitive function in dogs, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Finally, puzzle toys and other methods of mental stimulation have been shown to stimulate neurons in the brain, supporting cognitive function.
If these strategies do not reduce your dog’s attachment, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist for further guidance.
Cover Image: iStock.com/Kesinee Khaikaew
