It is also part of their natural social behaviour, to watch and follow what you are doing to help maintain a good relationship with you. Wanting to be close to you is a normal behaviour for dogs, but some dogs may be too clingy or even become anxious when their owner leaves.
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 it is healthy for a dog to look to his owner for commands and cues, it could be unhealthy when a dog cannot stop following or looking at his owner. This is especially concerning if the dog has chosen only one particular person to interact with and is fearful or avoids all other people.
If he's a puppy then the habit will be relatively new and it may take just a week or so to train him to stop following you. If he's older and been stuck to your side for a number of years, then you may need a couple of weeks to fully kick the habit.
Clinginess becomes a problem when it progresses to separation anxiety. If a clingy dog starts becoming anxious or panicky when left alone, it's time to suspect separation anxiety and seek professional behavioral help. A veterinary behaviorist can help you implement behavioral modifications to reduce the anxiety.
There is nothing wrong with cuddling and playing with your new puppy, but try to limit picking them up. Continually holding your dog can make them begin to feel as though they are human and can encourage behavior that causes dominance struggles within your home.
#1 Vizsla. Known as the ultimate Velcro dog, this Hungarian breed is literally attached to their owner, and is happiest when right by your side. They were bred for falconry, and still have tons of energy, so this pup is best for people who enjoy active lifestyles.
Be sure to not let them run around the entire house for the first few weeks to avoid any unwanted behaviors. Baby gates are a great way to block off a smaller area of your home for your puppy to explore. If you have other pets, have their first interactions be in a controlled environment.
If your dog has imprinted on you, you will notice that they will act quite attached to you. You might not be able to go far without them following you around (hello, bathroom trip for two?), and they might experience separation anxiety or similar anxious behaviors when you are not with them.
Increase Your Dog's Exercise
Many dogs will follow their owners around due to boredom. Providing your dog with food-filled toys, treat dispensers, and puzzle toys helps stimulate his brain and alleviate boredom. This will also distract his energy away from you.
Bonding Occurs Naturally
It's okay when dogs choose a favorite person. In fact, it's natural! As social animals, dogs choose the person or people who give them plenty of love, attention, and positive experiences.
When you are petting your dog, and he puts his paw on your arm or leg, it is kind of like petting you back. While most dogs can't do an actual stroking action, laying their paw on you is a sign of affection, closeness and trust This is his way of creating a special bond with you.
So, yes, a puppy can definitely think of you as his “mother” — that is, his provider and protector — and develop as strong an emotional bond with you as if you were blood-related. Your puppy will also quickly learn to pick you out among strangers, both by sight and through his powerful sense of smell.
Puppies between the ages of seven weeks and six months will often imprint on the main human caretaker, choosing them as a parent figure. So if you're the main source of food and interaction, they just want to make sure they don't lose sight of you.
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.
So, what is a velcro dog? It's a pet who will follow you everywhere, seeking your loving attention. This instinctual behavior can make your dog your most faithful buddy or a bit of a nuisance if the condition is fueled by anxiety.
Signs of a Strong Bond
There's a real light in their eyes; they smile, wag, rub into you, and makes great eye contact. When you come home, they brighten up, becomes animated, and may even vocalize their joy. Other signs of a strong bond include: Keeping tabs on your location when they are off leash.
They are fully capable of developing unique personalities, and their personality traits can change over time depending on the dog's breed, environment, training, and owners' attitude. Scientific research shows that dogs can sense their owners' feelings and even imitate good and bad behavior patterns.
The alphas always lead the pack. So if your dog lets you go through a door, then it's a sign that he is following your lead. A pack leader has the responsibility of leading and protecting the rest of the pack. Your dog will be looking for protection by letting you face anything dangerous on the other side of the door.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
When should you let go of the crate? My preference is to allow your dog to sleep out of a crate around 4-5 months and to be free completely before a year. Your dog should be housetrained; which means you know how long your dog can hold his bladder and he knows how to ask to go outside to go.
So to put it another way, your puppy should only have as much freedom as you're willing to allow destruction and other problem behaviors to occur. Giving your dog free roam of the house will likely result in problems.
They are often nicknamed 'velcro dogs' because of their tendency to stick beside their favored person. They desire lots of attention and dislike being left alone for long periods. The diligent Aussie likes to problem-solve and will find jobs to do around the home—often herding children or other pets.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.