In this article you’ll discover:
- Whether your Husky’s clinginess is due to separation anxiety.
- 11 reasons to help you better understand why your Husky is clingy and needy.
- How to resolve clingy behavior.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Why is my Husky so clingy?
Your Husky is clingy due to one or more of the following reasons: being stressed; having separation anxiety; getting old – experiencing loss of vision, hearing, inability to recognize their environment; being sick; being traumatized due to previous abandonment; sensing you are stressed or anxious.
Why is my Husky so needy?
Your Husky is so needy either because they have separation anxiety, want attention, are bored, sick, in an unfamiliar environment, or are used to getting rewards from you whenever they act this way. The reason could be either one of these or a combination of several.
The difference between clingy and needy
Both of these traits have one thing in common. And it’s that Huskies don’t want to be apart from the owners.
But how are these terms different?
For starters, being “clingy” is a behavior while being “needy” is an emotional state.
Clingy Huskies tend to want more physical contact but can still be self-sufficient when you’re not around.
Needy Huskies, on the other hand, will be upset when separated from you and can act out. This can result in household destruction or self-sustained injuries.
Siberian Huskies are pack animals. Hence why they can be very devoted to their owners. This alone says a lot about their behavior.
Here are other factors that may contribute to your Husky’s behavior.
Possible reasons why your Husky is so needy and clingy
#1: Medical problems
Medical problems should be the first factor to look into if you see any changes in your Husky’s behavior.
That’s why it’s essential to find the cause immediately.
I can’t stress this enough.
There might be an underlying medical problem causing your Husky to be more clingy and needy than usual. It can be pain or discomfort that is making them this way.
When your Husky becomes ill, they can be terrified and disoriented and cling to you as a coping mechanism.
If your Husky has suddenly begun following you almost everywhere and there aren’t any apparent reasons why, I advise arranging an appointment with your vet. This will help rule out any medical issues.
#2: It might have something to do with her background
Was she a rescue dog?
She may have had previous owners that didn’t give her the attention that she wanted. Or they could’ve even mistreated her.
Being abandoned will cause some trauma to her.
Now, since she has a new owner, she became very clingy or needy. It’s because she’s making sure that you won’t abandon her too.
What to do:
You can increase her confidence by giving her her private space.
- Spread some of her favorite treats in her private place to serve as a price for staying there.
- You can put a piece of your clothing there to remind her of you. Or a comfort blanket which carries your smell.
- Make her stay in her private spot for short periods. Start gradually increasing to more extended stays over time.
- Daycare for dogs may also help. It will teach your pup that you will be back and get her. Plus, she’ll be introduced to new dogs. And will be distracted enough not to be bothered throughout the whole day that you are not with her.
One last thing… Be patient with her.
#3: Needs more exercise
Not getting sufficient exercise can bore them and make them cling to you more for attention. Your Huskies’ energy gets pent up and has nowhere to express it.
Huskies need a lot of exercises.
After all, they’re explicitly bred to run and pull sleighs.
What to do:
Plenty of exercises is the key and will de-stress your Husky. This in turn will make them more likely to settle down (in their private spot) and sleep.
So, why not walk around the neighborhood?
Or go for a run.
Hike.
Maybe you can even play fetch in your backyard. This game is a favorite to many dogs and will tire your pup for sure!
#4: Age
When your Husky is getting older, they may cling to you for support and guidance.
They can also develop Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). This can cause age-related anxiety in older dogs in general.
Memory starts to decline with dogs that have CDS, much like what Alzheimer’s are to humans.
This points to confusion and anxiety in senior dogs.
What to do:
Try to be there for them as much as you can.
This stage in their lives is scary and very confusing to them.
All that we can do is stay by their side. Make sure that they are healthy, happy, and as comfortable as possible.
#5: Their nature
It could be the case that your Husky does it naturally.
Like I mentioned previously, Huskies are pack dogs. They stick to their pack like glue.
You, as their owner, are automatically included in your Husky’s pack.
Their instincts will kick in. One of them is that where one goes, the other follows.
Another reason is that Huskies were bred to work with their owners for hours every day, so they naturally look to you for direction.
What to do:
Stay in place
Teach your Husky to stay in place.
It’s best if they have a dog bed of their own. A place they can associate as fully theirs.
Leave them with their favorite toys, a comfort blanket, and even some puzzle toys (like the famous Stuffed Kong).
Then leave the room for small periods of time such as 5 minutes at a time. Do this multiple times a day.
After your Husky is used to not making a big deal out of it, try to increase the time you’re gone for. Make it 10 minutes at a time, then 15.
Have your Husky spend the day with other dogs
No. Not at your home.
But at Doggy Daycare instead.
This will help your Husky’s socialization skills. Plus, it will help your Husky become more independent.
And what a better place than that to work with that never-ending energy of Huskies?
Dog-caring professionals will make sure your Husky gets what they need in a supervised environment.
#6: We give our Huskies constant attention
How can we not resist giving them all the cuddles and kisses in the world?!
Constant attention does lead to clinginess in Huskies and dogs in general.
When we give our pups continuous attention as they grow, they will become afraid and even upset about being alone and never leave our side.
Do you always give your Husky food whenever they follow you? Or pet them every time they sit next to you?
If so, they learn that staying close leads to good stuff. We’re teaching them that following us is equal to getting some reward.
What to do:
Create a safe haven
Give them their special ‘safe haven’ to go to. Having a particular spot in the house will give them a sense of security.
It can be a crate, a playpen, or even a small room. Give positive reinforcements whenever they go in there by themselves.
Exhaust them
Play with your Husky in the backyard. Walk them in the streets, or even go on hikes. Exercise is the key to get them worn out. After that, you’ll see that they won’t have the energy to follow you around anymore.
Become your Husky’s teacher
Can you recall an image of your favorite teacher in school or college? Do you remember how excited you were to step in their class every time?
Good teachers inspire you. They also challenge you. And in the end, you always end up with something to take away from their lesson.
The good news is Huskies are just like students.
And as a responsible Husky parent, it’s your job to also be their teacher. Or trainer, if you’d prefer.
You can start with teaching your Husky the ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ command. Gradually increase the time that they sit or stay. Meanwhile, practice to leave them in that spot.
Then, always follow up with their favorite toy or a treat, and even positive praise will do the trick.
#7: Change in your routine
Huskies will get clingy too if we change their and our everyday routine.
It does apply to most dogs in general.
They get confused and anxious when you abruptly change something in their everyday schedule. It will make your Husky needier.
A change will leave them confused. Hence, they will follow you around to see what’s next in their new schedule.
Remember this:
When there is a significant shift in their routine, your pup can think something is wrong. And he might become uncertain of his place in his “pack.”
What to do:
Stick to your daily schedule
Feed your Husky at a specific time. Exercise them in the morning or when it’s not hot outside.
Make slow and small changes (if possible)
If you do need to change something in their day, do it slowly. Adjust your new schedule gradually until you reach your new desired time. This way, your Husky will not get confused and shocked.
#8: Proestrus
Proestrus is the start of the heat period where your female Husky’s body is preparing to mate. It averages about nine days but can last from three to 17 days. This happens to all female dogs.
They will begin to show signs that it’s their season. One of the signs is acting clingier than usual.
It only lasts a few days. There should be nothing to worry about as it is very natural for our pups to go through this cycle in their lives.
#9: Boredom
Huskies need mental activities as much as they need physical exercise.
A bored pup will look for something to do. And the next best thing for them to do is follow you around.
You might think it’s cute and endearing. But if they repeat this behavior over and over again, it encourages your Husky to be clingy or needy.
They will have their minds set on following you around when they have nothing to do.
You’re now the prime source of your Husky’s entertainment. So if your pup gets exhilarated when she’s following you around the house, it may be an indication that he’s bored. And is looking for something fun and entertaining to do.
What to do:
Stimulate their mind
Imagine being locked up in a room by yourself all day. With almost nothing to do.
Other than Sudoku or a crossword puzzle…
At some point (if not immediately) these will become appealing.
But what if you didn’t have even these?
This is how dogs feel most of the time. Especially dogs such as Huskies, which are bursting with energy.
While Sudoku or a crossword puzzle won’t do the trick for your dog, there’s something that will.
You can choose from a variety of puzzle dog toys. Your Husky will thank you!
Provoke their sense of smell
Involve your Husky in a fun toy-seeking activity.
Hide some of their favorite toys around the house. Add some treats as a lure.
Let your Husky engage in the activity. And be rewarded by the yummy treats that come as a reward.
Note: Careful to not exceed the 10% rule! It means that the snacks your Husky eats, shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their diet.
Let them have a blast at the dog park
Take your Husky to the dog park.
But careful to not overwhelm them…
The aim of taking your Husky to the dog park is to find new dog friends for them. So they can play together and exhaust each other after a nice fun play session.
Another benefit would be teaching your Husky some agility tricks. That’s also an opportunity to make your bond stronger.
Warning: If your Husky is not used to being exposed to a lot of dogs at the same time, be careful. Watch how they act around other dogs. And do not let them too close to any small dogs.
#10: You’re not around anymore
Huskies notice when you’re not around that much. They miss you and want to be with you for as long as they can.
Your pup will try to get your attention by play biting your hand. Or by following you around the house.
As a fur mom, this type of clinginess is sad. Any dog that misses you will always want to be by your side and follow you around. They just want to spend as much time with you as they can.
What to do:
Make spending time together count
The greatest gift you can grant your Husky is… your time. Spend some quality time with your Husky several times a day.
Prioritize play
Play is equally important for humans and animals such as cats and dogs.
That’s how we relieve stress, boost our creativity, exercise our bodies and brains, and get overall enjoyment. It’s what makes us feel alive.
So, don’t hesitate to play with your pup during the time you’ve dedicated to them. A good exercise is always best, be it in the form of a game or a long walk.
Leave an item of yours with them
Not just anything that you don’t need though…
Choose something they can lie on. For example, a sweater you wear only at home. Or a blanket that you snuggle under together.
These serve as comforting items in a moment of distress.
Consider this – you might be perfectly fine with the fact that you’re gonna be away just for a few hours.
But what about your Husky?
I can tell you this much – they don’t see it the same way. They have no idea whether you’re leaving them forever or you’re just out to get your morning coffee.
So, leave them something they can burrow in, lie on. And smell.
#11: Stress
If your Husky is experiencing stressful situations, they may exhibit clinginess.
Stress can lead to anxiety and confusion.
Your Husky will turn to you for guidance and support. They’ll follow you around and will be inches away from you. This is how they stay calm and cope with stress.
So, whenever they’re in doubt, they’ll rely on you as their protector.
What to do:
Prevention should be a priority
One of the best ways to ensure your Husky stays calm is to not put them into situations they’re not prepared for.
Such as being surrounded by an avalanche of dogs they don’t know.
Or taking them to busy outside places such as bus stations, open markets, and so on.
Spare your Husky’s nerves and yours.
Lifelong socialization
You might think that socialization is something you should do only during puppyhood.
And, while that’s not entirely wrong, it’s not the whole truth either.
Socializing is like lifelong learning. You can never get enough of it.
So, do your Husky a favor. And let them embrace different kinds of situations.
Warning: Wherever you are, make sure that you have control over your Husky’s reactions. So if something unexpected occurs, you’d be in a position to prevent a dangerous situation.
A safe place is your best bet
If there are unavoidable stressful situations at home, you can do one thing.
It’s to have a dedicated safe place for your Husky. There they should feel safe and sound. And be able to rest.
Let that Husky have that. So, they can retreat there whenever they don’t feel like listening to loud sounds or meeting new people.
Products that can help with your Husky’s clinginess
#1: Give them some special treats
Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Dogs
Helps with hyperactive & aggressive behavior – Each chew contains Thiamine and Organic Chamomile, which act as a relaxer that can help reduce jumping, biting, and barking from dogs that display aggressive or hyperactive tendencies.
Relieves Stress & Anxiety – Our Dog Calming Treats will keep your furry friend calm and composed during stressful situations, such as visits to the vet, long road trips, or being left alone at home.
#2: Try Hemp Oils
Pet Club Brothers: Stress and Anxiety Pet Hemp Oil
Anxiety & stress relief: We offer you the safe and effective hemp oil for cats and dogs. Its natural calming effect will help your pet to deal with stress and insomnia, sleep better at night, reduce nervousness and constant barking, as well as natural aggressive behavior. This product also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve joint & muscle pain and support mobility in senior pets.
#3: Pheromone Diffuser Kits
ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit
Drug-free calming solution: ThunderEase helps your dog feel calm and comfortable by mimicking a mother’s natural nursing pheromones, 100% safe and drug-free.
Relaxivet Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit
Natural and safe: Contains only natural ingredients. Pheromones have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
#4: Anti Anxiety Jackets
Thundershirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket
Drug-free calming: Effectively eases anxieties during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, vet visits, and much more with no training and no medication, so your beloved pet receives naturally soothing relief. Great for rescue dogs!
Mellow Shirt Dog Anxiety Calming Wrap
Like swaddling an infant, Mellow Shirt uses gentle pressure to calm all sorts of fear and anxiety problems.