Clingy Dogs: Is Your dog a Velcro Dog?
Last updated on may 9, 2022 By Puppy Leaks 64 comments
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Does your dog follow you everywhere? Do they follow you from room to room, even when you go into the bathroom? If so you probably have a velcro dog.
In this article we’ll go over why some dogs become velcro dogs, whether or not you should be concerned about it, and what to do if your dog’s clingy behavior becomes a problem.
What Is a Velcro Dog?
A velcro dog is a dog that wants to be by their owners side at all times. 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. and breeds that have been bred to work alongside their owners all day long are also prone to developing velcro dog syndrome.
What causes Velcro dog Syndrome
Have you ever wondered why your dog follows you everywhere, or why some dogs are more clingy than others? Here’s 7 common causes for velcro dog syndrome:
Some dogs develop velcro dog syndrome because of our own behaviors.
If we stop every time we see our dog to give him praise, a pat on the head, or a treat he learns that staying close leads to the good stuff. letting your dog sleep in your bed can create a dependence on being close to you. now this isn’t a bad thing, it’s a personal preference. If you don’t mind it that’s terrific – it’s just important to understand that many times we encourage our dogs behavior without realizing it.
Dogs that develop vision or hearing changes may become more clingy.
Aging related changes such as hearing or vision loss can be stressful and scary to dogs, so they may choose to stay by your side for extra comfort.
Some breeds have been selectively bred to be dependent.
A lot of working, herding, and hound dogs have been bred to work side by side with their humans. They rely on their owners body language and directions for guidance. many toy breeds were selectively bred to be lap dogs. Some breeds such as German Shepherds and Akitas are commonly known to attach themselves to one person.
Boredom and a lack of mental stimulation can lead to velcro dog syndrome.
Dogs can get bored if they’re not given enough mental & physical exercise. since they’re looking for something to do they’ll leap up and follow you around wherever you go. You’re their main source of their entertainment, so if your dog gets excited when he’s following you around it may be a sign that he’s bored and looking for something to do. If that’s the case check out these indoor games you can play to keep your dog busy.
Dogs with separation anxiety tend to be velcro dogs.
Some dogs develop a dysfunctional hyper attachment to their owners that causes anxiety when their owner is out of sight, and many of these dogs are also velcro dogs. If your dog gets anxious when they’re unable to follow you around they have separation anxiety, not just velcro dog syndrome.
Sudden onset of clingy behavior in dogs may be health related.
When your dog becomes sick it can be scary and confusing; they may stick to you as a coping mechanism. sudden behavioral changes such as developing clingy behavior can sign of an illness. If your dog has suddenly started following you around everywhere and there aren’t any obvious triggers I suggest making an appointment with your vet to rule out any medical issues.
Moving into a new house & neighborhood can cause dogs to become extra clingy.
Moving can be stressful on dogs, just like it is for us. If your dog seems extra clingy after a move you can help them relax by sticking to a predictable routine to help them settle in.
Some dogs, such as lap dogs and working breeds, may be more prone to clingy behaviors.
Separation anxiety vs. Velcro dog Syndrome
Many times velcro dogs and dogs with separation anxiety are confused with one another. Both are associated with not wanting to be away from their owners, but there are some very distinct differences. and although the differences might seem subtle they’re important to watch out for.
The main difference between velcro dogs & dogs with separation anxiety is the anxiety itself. Velcro dogs want to be close to their owner, while dogs that suffer from separation anxiety panic when they’re away from their owner.
Many dogs that exhibit separation anxiety are also velcro dogs, but not all velcro dogs have separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is specific to dogs that panic and get anxious when their owner leaves. A velcro dog simply exhibits clingy behaviors while you’re home.
Separation anxiety Symptoms in Dogs
Does your dog panic when you leave or go out of sight? If so they’re exhibiting classic signs of separation anxiety. the most common symptoms of separation anxiety innullnull