Why wont my dog leave my side all of a sudden

Clingy due to separation anxiety. … Your dog can be clingy all of a sudden due to separation anxiety. You can understand too; if you have left them and they are worried, they might then want to be attached to your side at all times to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

What does it mean when your dog won’t leave your side all of a sudden?

If your dog doesn’t want to leave your side when you come home from work, it might mean that your pooch has separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in dogs usually develops when the dog bonds too closely with their owner. … Besides clinginess, dogs with separation anxiety tend to act destructively when left alone.

Why is my dog so obsessed with me?

Often called clingy, velcro dogs have a desire to be close to their owners. Companionship. Perhaps the most obvious reason, some dogs simply prefer the companionship of their human owners. Over the process of domestication, natural selection has shaped dogs to become companions for humans.

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Can a dog be too attached to its owner?

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.

Can dogs sense when something is wrong with their owner?

When a person is ill, their body chemistry will change, and a dog’s sensitive snout may be able to detect these subtle changes, letting them know we are sick. Dogs can be trained to sniff out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the human body, helping with early detection for illnesses, including cancer.

Why has my dog become clingy?

Dogs who have anxiety issues 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 in the home or household that cause them stress.

What dogs are the most clingy?

Top 11 Dog Breeds That Are Extra Clingy

• #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. …
• #2 Labrador Retriever. …
• #4 Maltese. …
• #5 Golden Retriever. …
• #6 German Shepherd. …
• #7 Pug. …
• #8 Shetland Sheepdog. …
• #9 Italian Greyhound.

Do dogs pick a favorite person?

Human personality and dog breed play a part

Dogs often choose a favorite person who matches their own energy level and personality. … In addition, some dog breeds are more likely to bond with a single person, making it more likely that their favorite person will be their only person.

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How do you tell if your dog loves you the most?

Signs Your Dog Loves You

• Licking.
• Cuddling and leaning.
• Sleeping in your bed or in your bedroom.
• Staying close to your scent.
• Following you around or checking in on you.
• Eye contact.
• Raised eyebrows.
• Tilting head.

What does it mean when your dog constantly follows you?

Dogs will often follow their humans around because they receive attention or some other form of reward in return for this behavior. If following their pet parent around leads to treats, play time, or pets, dogs will remember and perform the behavior more frequently.

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 Recently, it seems that no matter where you go, your dog is right there by your side.

Now, normally this wouldn’t be considered a bad thing. On the contrary, who wouldn’t want a loyal companion that’s there for them through thick and thin?

If only they would just let you out of their sight long enough for you to go to the toilet without them staring at you the whole time.

If you’re here wondering, “Why is it that my dog won’t leave my side?”, there are actually numerous possible reasons that can explain this.

From their genetics to possible health and behavioral issues, let’s look into some of the reasons as to why your dog might be constantly glued to your side.

Possible Reason Number 1: Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety isn’t a term that should be used lightly.

There’s a difference between your dog enjoying being around you and needing to be around you. With separation anxiety, time apart from you means incredible unrest and mood disruption for your dog.

Separation anxiety and fearfulness can be characterized as your dog becoming overly anxious when you leave- even if it’s only for a minute or two.

Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety- such as whimpering, barking, and nervous pacing- can manifest in your dog’ behavior if you have to leave for work or if you’re going upstairs for the evening.

It could even get as bad as them committing destructive behaviors, such as going to the bathroom inside or otherwise defiling the house!

Possible Reason Number 2: Their Breed

Dogs are championed for their loyalty, but some breeds tend to be clingier than others.

Smaller dogs, such as chihuahuas, are specifically bred for companionship. They love being around people and the attention involved.

Many popular breeds, including Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, also tend to be very attached to their owners.

This can be nice, knowing your dog is eager to be in your presence. However, there will be times when you need a room to yourself, or you can’t play with them. That’s when their dependency on you might become more apparent.

Possible Reason Number 3: Health Issues

Dealing with health problems is scary for dogs because they don’t know exactly what’s going on.

They just know that as the dog owner you’re their protector, and will look to you for support. If you have an older dog whose sight or hearing is going out or is otherwise ailing, they might start spending more time around you.

Since you’re a familiar presence, you can be a huge source of comfort for your dog. This can also clue you into their health. Talk to your vet so you can get a better sense of their condition and what can be done to help them.

Possible Reason Number 4: Being Overly Attentive

Your dog won’t be able to learn independence and self-reliance if you’re always showering them with attention.

It’s important to interact with your dog and show them they’re loved. However, you need to know where to draw the line, lest you become their pet in the process.

When you introduce your dog to your home, give them time to adjust on their own.

Let them find their way around and be able to stay calm even if you’re not there. Avoid giving them rewards for the sake of awards because that could cause further attachment.

Excessive attachment can make your dog only follow you around and ignore other family members or stimulus.

Possible Reason Number 5: Change In Routine

Familiarity is important for dogs. When you disrupt their routine and surroundings, they’re prone to become upset.

For instance, if you have to relocate them to sleep in a different room, or if you’re moving to a new place, it can be pretty scary for them.

The one thing they recognize as familiar is you. Therefore, it’s likely they’ll spend more time around you, and this could turn into them becoming a “Velcro dog,” or one that is constantly attached to you.

This can persist until they’ve gotten used to the new routine and location. However, without intervention, another change in routine could just cause more unease and misbehavior.

What To Do When My Dog Won’t Leave My Side

Now that you know some of the biggest causes of clinginess in dogs, let’s talk about what can be done to correct these behaviors.

Avoid Giving Constant Attention

You might see your dog as your child and want to dote on them whenever possible.

However, while you may think you’re showing them love, you’re actually conditioning them to become dependent on your attention. You need to set boundaries through positive reinforcement while also showing your love for them.

Spend time apart from your dog to help them develop their independence.

If they’re sleeping peacefully on the couch, let them rest and enjoy the time you have to yourself.

Need to take a nap yourself? Close the door so they’re not following you in. Enjoy the moments you have together, but don’t make it so either of you is dependent on the other.

Introduce Them To Other People

It’s great if your dog loves being around people, but it’s a problem if they only like being around one person: you. This could cause them to be nervous or hostile around other people. Imagine trying to hire a dog walker or sitter under these conditions.

Let your dog become more familiar with others.

Invite friends over, and have your dog get used to their scent. This can give you a break as well as help your dog become more accustomed to other people. During social events, your dog can become the life of the party.

Learn To Say “No”

For creatures that can’t talk, dogs learn to communicate through other means and can be incredibly persuasive.

A slight whine and pleading look in their eyes can be all they need to turn you to putty. But if you’re tending to every desire of your dog, they’ll think you’ll do anything and everything for them. You need to show them that this isn’t the case.

Don’t feed them from the table.

Keep them off the couch if they’re not supposed to be on it.

If they want to play but you’re preoccupied, stay focused on what you’re doing. Unless your dog clearly needs food or to go outside, it’s okay to say “no.” This can also better establish your role as the master in the household.

It’s totally possible to love your dog without giving in to their every whim. Like with any relationship, boundaries have to be established in order for it to be healthy.

Talk To An Expert

It takes time for your dog to unlearn clingy behaviors.

Don’t expect a Velcro dog to become independent after a week of saying no and decreased attention. However, if you’ve tried on your own for a long time without success, it’s time to consult with an expert.

Schedule an appointment with a qualified professional, such as a pet psychologist or a dog behaviorist.

They should be able to discern specific causes of your dog’s attachment and create a careful treatment plan. This isn’t going to be an instant cure, either. However, it can help steer both of you in the right direction.

In Summary

In the times that I have found that my dog won’t leave my side, I’ve also discovered that it usually boils down to one (or more) of five reasons.

These reasons can include:

• Separation anxiety
• The breed of the dog
• Their immediate health status
• Myself giving too much attention
• A big change to their usual routine.

It is important to firstly identify what the behavior is caused by, and then to directly address the issue head-on. Usually this involves some degree of socializing as well as setting healthy boundaries.

If you find yourself unsure of what to do, don’t hesitate to contact your vet or a dog psychologist for help with your clingy pup! Proper space and boundaries mean healthier and happier lives for everyone involved.

Heather Abraham is an owner of two dogs, one cat, a leopard gecko, and a parrot (who her dad still cannot teach bad words to), and an avid blogger. From the time she was a young girl, she always felt a connection with pets. She brings her love of every type of pet to you, with information on animal nutrition, medication, toys, beds, and everything else in between. Along with newly-on-board veterinarian DVM editor Elena, she puts pups first while offering other various fun tidbits along the way.