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 concerned about your dog’s sticky behavior.
what are velcro dogs?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you probably have a sticky dog. Some refer to sticky dogs as “Velcro dogs” (named for Velcro®) because it’s like your dog is glued to you.
While clingy dog behavior can be appealing, 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 sticky?
There are several reasons why your dog may be sticky. it may just be a learned behavior, or it may be a sign of a problem. The best option is to make 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 can be clingy:
learned behavior
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Attachment in dogs is usually 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 into the kitchen, or pet him every time he lies down next to you, you’re teaching him that following you leads to some kind of reward.
If you give puppies constant attention when they are developing, they may be afraid of being alone and therefore never want to leave your side.
illness or aging
Senior dogs with vision or hearing loss, or those experiencing cognitive decline, can suddenly become clingy because their world becomes unfamiliar to them.
Dogs that are sick or bored can also become clingy. talk to your vet to understand what could be causing the sudden sticky behavior.
anxiety and stress
Dogs that have anxiety problems often develop clingy dog behaviors. Interestingly, dogs can also get clingy if they sense our stress or anxiety.
Dogs can also become clingy if you change their daily routine or make changes to the home or household that cause them stress.
sticky dog breeds
As if all these reasons weren’t enough, some dog breeds are prone to being clingy. for example, lap dogs, such as shih tzus, tend to be needy dogs. Also, working dogs, which are trained to be dependent, can become clingy.
separation anxiety
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Attachment in dogs can also indicate a larger behavioral problem: separation anxiety. it’s important to know the difference between a clingy dog and a dog with separation anxiety so you know how to best manage the behavior. you will need the help of your veterinarian or a veterinary behavior specialist for this.
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 from him.
Sticky dogs want to be near you when you’re home, but they’re not scared when you’re not there. a dog with separation anxiety will panic when you’re not around.
Separation anxiety causes dogs to become anxious and destructive 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 feel 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 behavior modifications to reduce anxiety. Fortunately, not all clingy dogs develop separation anxiety.
how to help your dog be less clingy
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If you have a clingy dog without separation anxiety, there are ways to teach him to be more independent. Here are several strategies that can help reduce a dog’s attachment.
- increase exercise. a good physical activity will tire your dog enough that he will have little interest in following you. make sure the exercise is appropriate for your dog’s age and health history. consult your veterinarian for 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 signal such as “go to his 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 (eg, going to the kitchen, taking your keys) with you rewarding or leaving him. To “normalize” these movements, practice doing them without doing the normal activity that goes with them.
For example, go to the kitchen and start sweeping instead of taking out the food, or grab your keys and turn on the TV instead of leaving the house. Over time, your dog will learn that your movements don’t deserve much or no attention.
how to help clingy older dogs
Senior dogs with vision loss can sometimes benefit from adding night lights in dark areas. Also, keep the general layout of your home and furnishings the same. Dogs with vision loss tend to learn to orient themselves in their surroundings through their other senses, but can become confused when even a chair is in a different spot.
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 behavior specialist for further guidance.
