15 Reasons Why Your Dog Is So Attached To You + 7 Tips

Your dog can get really clingy.

If you walk, they follow. When you go for number two, they always bang your door wide open.

“Oh, dear. Some privacy, please!”

In this article, you’ll find out:

What a ‘velcro’ dog means.
If dogs get attached to pregnant women.
7 tips to stop your dog from getting too attached.
15 real reasons why your dog is so clingy to you.
And much more…

Why is my dog so attached to me?

Your dog is attached to you because it’s their breed personality, you’re their ‘parent’ and favorite person, separation anxiety, past traumas, pain, vision and hearing problems, lack of mental stimulation, new environment, dementia, heat cycles, pregnancy, and reinforcements.

15 reasons why your dog is so attached to you

#1: You’re their favorite

Congratulations.

In the eyes of your pooch, you’re numero uno!

You’re probably the one who feeds them the most. And the one who plays with them all the time. Great job!

Now, don’t be surprised if your pooch follows you around like how the moon orbits the Earth.

Dogs get attached most to the person who treats them best.

#2: They’re born this way

Dog Attached To You Because He Sees You As His Parent

Every dog is different.

Some dogs are free-spirited, while there are also those who depend fully on others. These are the ones who get too attached to the point they can’t function well without their dog parents.

Examples of these are lap dogs and working dogs.

They are the ones who spend most of their time with their dog parents. At home, and even at work.

If your dog is too attached to you, it’s because they were born and bred this way.

#3: They see you as their ‘parent’

Based on studies, puppies get separated from their birth mother as early as 6 weeks. So when they come to you, they imprint on you and start to look up to you as their parent.

And then their strong attachment to you develops as time goes by.

They depend on you for their food, activities, and they see you as their leader.

That’s not all.

Another reason they see you as a parent is because… Let’s be honest- you baby your pooch.

#4: Your dog is a ‘Velcro’

Dogs who can’t be away from their owners are called ‘velcro’ dogs. From the word itself, they stick to you as velcro does.

Here’s how to know if yours is one.

Following you around.
Constantly checking on you.
Reacting as soon as you make a move.
They want to be close to you all the time.

Take note that if this behavior is encouraged, it could lead to more serious problems such as separation anxiety.

#5: Separation anxiety

One of the reasons why your dog can get overly attached to you is because they have separation anxiety.

It could be your dog is separated too early from their mother or you leave them alone all the time.

Dogs who have this problem can’t be anywhere without their dog parents. Whenever they are left alone, they get anxious.

Is your dog like this? According to PetMd, here are some signs that show if your dog has anxiety problems:

Constant leaning on you.
Misbehavior such as destroying things.
Whining and barking whenever you leave.
Accidents such as peeing and pooping inside the house.

If your furry friend has this condition, you can ask your local vet for advice and treatment.

#6: Past trauma

How was your dog’s life before you?

Dogs who’ve had previous dog parents that mistreat them have more tendencies to get too attached to their current dog parents who treat them well.

Even if they’ve been through bad experiences before, dogs are still able to put their trust in us.

It’s surprising how dogs are like that to us humans, isn’t it?

So if you’re worried that your dog is too attached to you, maybe the reason why is this is the first time they feel loved.

And they want to reciprocate your love for them.

Excuse me while I sob.

#7: They want to discover new things with you

Your Dog Wants To Discover New Things With You

A sudden change in your dog’s routine and environment can make them cling to you for assurance.

Because they are unsure of what to do, they look up to you for guidance.

If you have a change in your residence, your furry friend will follow you as both of you discover every nook and cranny of the new house.

#8: There are no set boundaries

Do you sleep with your dog on the same bed?

Do you bring them with you 24/7, wherever you go? In a restaurant, at the mall, with your friends, or relatives?

Bingo!

That’s the reason why your dog is too attached to you. It’s because you may have unintentionally trained them to be like that.

#9: Lack of mental stimulation

If you can look at your dog’s diary, what do you think it would look like?

“What a heckin’ boring day. This the list of all the things I did:

Walk a bit.
Eat 2 times.
Dig. Fight with Mr.Fig.
Sleep half a day.

Tomorrow I think I will do the same things. Omkay. Thanks. Bye.”

Dogs lacking in activities that stimulate their mind and exhaust their energy are more inclined in misbehaving. This includes doing destructive behaviors like destroying or eating non-edible items.

They could also get too attached to their dog parents because they have nothing else to do. They are trying to get your attention so that you engage in activities with them.

#10: They’re hurting

Whenever you’re sick, don’t you want to cling on to someone for comfort?

Dogs who are hurting are the same. Since they are not able to fully express what they’re feeling, they tend to show it through their actions.

For them, your presence is more than enough. If they are hurting and want comfort, they want to stay as close to you as possible. It’s their way to cope with the pain.

#11: They are impaired

Dogs who have hearing and seeing problems are more clingy to their dog parents compared to those who don’t have any problems.

Disabled dogs require more attention and patience. When you can’t hear or see properly, don’t you want someone else to guide you as well?

If they get too attached to their dog parents, it’s just their way of showing their ‘thank you’ and their love.

#12: Doggy dementia

Your dog has had a long life. And is still going strong. Yahoo!

However, like us humans, dogs also experience various diseases that come as they age. One of them is ‘doggy dementia’ or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).

This causes your dog to have changes in their way of life. Here are some of its symptoms:

Changes in eating patterns.
Repetitive movements and pacing around.
House accidents such as peeing and soiling inside
Changes in interaction with dog parents. They can get overly attached.

#13: Female dogs in heat

Heat cycles, also known as estrous cycle, bring certain changes in a female dog’s behavior.

During the beginning of this period, their vulva starts to swell, their eating pattern changes, and they can also get extra clingy to their owners.

If your dog is in heat, you can expect them to be around you always.

#14: Your dog’s pregnant

If you’re wondering why your dog is more attached to you than before, the reason for it could be because they are pregnant.

There are other pregnant dogs that get grumpy and irritated.

And there are also those who seek out their owner’s support as they develop major changes in their body.

#15: You’re pregnant

It could be the other way around. The last possible reason why your dog is overly attached to you?

You have a bun in your oven.

Because your pooch can sense the changes and discomfort you’re feeling in your body, they tend to be more protective of you.

They can get too attached that they won’t leave your side. They’ll keep others away from you, and even lay their head on your growing tummy.

7 tips on what to do if your dog is so attached to you

#1: Take them to the vet

To rule out the reasons why your dog is so attached to you, you can take them to a vet for an overall check-up.

By doing this, you will be able to determine the possible causes of their clinginess. And the vet can give you possible treatments and medications for them.

#2: Make them less sensitive

Your dog is always on alert mode every time you get up. Even when you’re just going to the bathroom.

But you’ve noticed that they get more anxious when you pick up your shoes and keys. Based on your routine, they already know that touching these things means you’re going out.

To make them less sensitive to these triggers, condition them to not see these things as a sign of you leaving them. Pick up your keys or put on shoes when you go across the room at random times.

Do this until your pooch wouldn’t care about your keys or shoes anymore.

#3: Avoid leaving them for a long time

Let them get used to being alone by leaving them alone in your house for a minute, then an hour. Do this until they can tolerate being left alone for a longer time.

Like any other training, the key here is repetition. Once they get used to you leaving, they will be less dependent on you.

#4: Give them attention

Being an overly attached dog doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. Sometimes, they just want to get your attention.

So why not indulge them a bit? Your dog needs some spoiling, too. Just as long as it is controlled, it’ll be harmless.

#5: Positive training

You want to limit your dog from getting too attached, not make them scared of you.

A study shows that positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment when training your dog.

This means that rewarding your dog with cookies for a job well done is better than striking them.

#6: Give the others a chance

If you’re the person who always feeds your dog and takes them for walks, take a break.

Let the other members of your family do those things for your dog, too. By doing this, your dog will become less dependent on you.

#7: Create rules and boundaries

If your dog is used to sleeping on your bed next to you, it’s time to create some space. It’ll be hard for you both, however it’s an essential process.

But if you can’t really be away from your pooch, what you can do instead is put their dog bed beside yours. You’re still technically sleeping beside them, but there is a boundary.

Bonus: Designate a special place for them

Assign a special place for your dog at home. Leave toys on it that stimulate their brain. The trickier the puzzles and toys the more they will settle on that spot.

By doing this, your dog will be too busy playing to be following you around the house.