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.
Some become Velcro dogs through learning or negative experiences. Those who were abandoned, who lost their owners and were then re-homed, may live in fear of abandonment and may therefore develop an over-attachment. Others learn to become clingy because their owners, often unknowingly, reward clingy behaviors.
If you feel your dog is overly attached to one person and becomes distressed without them, you may need to seek help from a dog trainer, or behaviourist. Most dogs and puppies, however, can learn to adapt to different members of the household being their caregivers.
If your pet is too clingy, take note of how you're responding to them throughout the day. If you routinely spoil your dog, that overload of affection can trigger velcro behavior. If every time your pet approaches you, you create feel-good moments, the dog is going to stay by your side 24/7.
A clingy dog stays abnormally physically close to his human companion, showing signs of distress when not in the same room with the person. The dog may refuse to leave the human's side, watch their every move, and whine, bark, and attempt to follow the person when they are physically separated.
If your dog follows you around from room to room chances are they're a velcro dog. Also referred to as being clingy, velcro dogs simply have a desire to be close to their owners. Certain breeds (such as lap dogs) are more likely to be velcro dogs because they've been bred to be more dependent.
Separation Anxiety Can Cause Your Dog to Not Leave Your Side
Some dogs even try to prevent you from leaving. Dogs with separation anxiety will sometimes start barking, pacing or exhibiting other distressing behaviors after a short time after being left alone.
Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period. Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person.
Dogs learn to imitate their owners' personality traits and behavior. While some people consider their dog's cute pets, others consider them family members. No matter how you define your relationship with your dog, chances are good that over time your personalities mesh.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that dogs often take on the same personality traits as their owner. The study revealed that dogs are like humans in that they have personalities that are shaped over time.
Often, this is simply a case of access, or lack of it. If one person spends more time at home with the dog, naturally the dog will want to see and spend time with the other partner, too. When the absent partner rewards that behavior by handing out treats upon return, reinforcement and hardwiring occurs.
People insecurely attached to other people also are insecurely attached to the furry creatures in their lives. However, people who were insecurely attached to their pets, regardless of their attachment to humans, had poorer mental health. Pet attachment seems to play an important role in overall mental health.
“Too much affection can also mean that you can give your dog positive cues at the wrong time to back up bad behaviors, which can lead to behavioral problems like separation anxiety, vocalizing for attention, and/or damaging items in the home to get attention,” Dr. Nelson explains.
Dogs often whine in response to pain or a painful condition. If you notice that your dog vocalizes frequently or has suddenly started to vocalize, it's important to take her to the vet to rule out medical causes.
Your dog isn't seeking attention from you
When he no longer seeks this cuddle time, Dr. Wilson says it could be a sign he needs a break. “If you notice that your pup is spending less time asking for pets and seems reluctant for your affection, this may indicate that he needs more time on his own,” she continues.
The researchers from the University's Charles Perkins Centre and RSPCA NSW found new dog owners self-reported lower levels of loneliness within three months of getting a dog, with the effect persisting to the end of the study.
If your dog seems to worry when you're heading out, destroys stuff when you leave the house, follows you from room to room when you're home, goes berserk when you come back and seems to be eyeing you suspiciously even before you leave—you may be dealing with a case of separation anxiety.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's most likely a sign that they love and adore you. When dogs interact with someone they like, the hormone oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is often referred to as the 'love hormone' and makes you feel that warm glow when you're around someone you like.
“In my experience, the four most common breeds of dogs that exhibit signs of separation anxiety are typically Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas (both mixed breeds and standards), German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels”, says Dr.
It's important to set boundaries. You can train your dog to go to their bed or crate when they're getting underfoot. If you ignore excessively clingy behaviors, such as your dog whining or pawing at you for attention, eventually, they will stop.
Dogs who follow you to the bathroom
As their owner, you are the one who meets most of their needs, including for affection, so following is a sign of this attachment. They may also be waiting for routines they enjoy such as a walk or dinner time.