Helping Dogs Who Are Too Attached to One Person

"Help! My Dog is Too Attached to Me!"

There are two kinds of separation anxiety in dogs. You have those who get stressed when the owners are away, but if they are with somebody, they are able to cope. Then there are those who get hyper-attached to just one person, and no matter who they are with, they will be stressed and unable to cope effectively with the separation.

This article is about this latter category, those "one-person" dogs who bond completely to just one individual. The bond they form with their human can be compared to that of Velcro. When these dogs are left, they will still be stressed no matter what, even if there is another person they know well in the home.

4 Things to Consider

• What dogs are prone to attachment issues?
• What causes attachment issues in dogs?
• How do I alleviate attachment stress?
• 9 tips for reducing attachment stress

What Dogs Are Prone to Attachment Issues?

There are certain breeds that tend to over-attach to only one person and remain aloof towards others. In general, those in the herding and working category may be prone to this quality, as several have a history of being selectively bred to work with a human, like herding dogs, who often develop a unique bond with the shepherd from whom they take commands.

Velcro Dog Breeds

• You will often see German and Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs bond with one special person.
• Akitas, Chow Chow, Shiba Inu, and Jindos—all breeds of ancient Asian descent—have a predisposition for this as well.
• The Dalmatian is another Velcro breed that attaches strongly to only one person, and so is the great Pyrenees.
• And, of course, any other dog, including mixed breeds, can develop separation anxiety.

What Causes Attachment Issues in Dogs?

But natural predisposition is not the only culprit. Some become Velcro dogs through learning or negative experiences. Those who were abandoned, who lost their owners and were then re-homed, may live in fear of abandonment and may therefore develop an over-attachment.

Others learn to become clingy because their owners, often unknowingly, reward clingy behaviors. Many owners are flattered by these anxiety displays, as they feel it's a sign of loyalty and proof that they mean the whole world to their pets.

Still, it must be remembered that these dogs are truly suffering, and one of the kindest things to do is to encourage more independence and help them increase confidence.

How Do I Alleviate Attachment Stress?

There are several steps that can be taken to make their lives less miserable. Acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step. Over-attachment is dysfunctional when the dog gets anxious and exhibits signs of stress when a particular owner is away.

They are like half dogs who are lost because their owner is their other half. They feel as if the owner is their anchor, their security blanket, and the only thing that lets them feel safe and secure. Without the owner, they most likely won't eat, play, or do anything that normal, healthy, confident dogs do.

They will likely mimic whiny vocalizations from puppyhood, manifest barrier frustration by destroying points of exit, and perhaps eliminate (pee or poop in random places) from distress.

9 Tips for Reducing Attachment Stress

Here are some tips to help:

• Rule Out Medical Conditions: Sometimes, excessively clingy behaviors may be caused by an underlying medical condition. Some dogs may lose hearing or eyesight as they age, and this may cause insecurity which causes them to depend too much on their owners. Cognitive dysfunction in elderly pets may also create behavior changes. It's important to get a check-up to rule out medical causes.
• Become Less Valuable: If you have other people in your household, let them bond more with your dog. Give others the tasks of feeding, training, playing with, and walking. Let them pamper your pet with cuddles and let them become a source of high-value treats during training. Have others give rewards of praise and treats.
• Ignore Attention-Seeking Behaviors: Most likely, your dog will often approach you during the day, asking for cuddles and attention. Ignore these requests. If it barks or whines for attention, ignore this as well. This doesn't mean you shouldn't cuddle him; it just means that it will be on your terms. Call your dog to you and pet him—afterward, signal that the interaction is done by saying something like "that's enough" and withdrawing your hands.
• Promote Self-Rewarding Activities: Give the dog something to do while you're away. Teach him to enjoy solving puzzles on his own. (For a list of suggestions, see my article on dog foraging.)

• Reduce the Contrast Between Your Presence and Absence: If you are always showering your dog with attention, there will be a very big difference the moment you leave home. This is true especially if you make a big show of attention and affection when you are about to leave and when you come back home after being away.

  These contrasts feed separation anxiety. Make greetings very low-key when you come home, and don't make a big deal about going out. Keep the radio on when you are home and leave it on when you leave (if you only put the radio on when you are leaving, or if you always turn it off when you leave, it will just become another cue signaling your departure).

  The book Behaviour Problems in Small Animals: Practical Advice for the Veterinary Team by Jon Bowen and Sarah Heath refers to this lack of contrasts as "homeostasis."

• Prevent Excess Monitoring: Most likely, your hyper-attached pet will constantly try to monitor every movement you make. He'll likely want to sleep by your feet so he is always aware of your movements. It helps to encourage the dog to sleep at a distance from you.

  Also, using baby gates can help teach him that even if he doesn't follow, you'll be back. Teach him to be patient when you go into another room and close the door. Don't come back when he is whining; otherwise, you will reinforce the behavior. Wait till he stops and reward him with your return.

  If you are walking towards him and he whines, go back out of sight. Advance in his direction only when he is quiet. Also, train the "stay command." For more tips, read How to Stop a Dog From Following You Around the House.

Scroll to Continue

Echos of Absurdity: Exploring the Theatrical World of the Absurd

The Story of Moses: Part II

About Kei

• Desensitize and Counter-Condition to Your Departures: Most likely, your observant pet gets anxious when you grab the keys, as it signals you are about to leave. Start working on making grabbing keys, putting your coat on, or tying your shoes irrelevant by performing these actions every few minutes and then sitting on the couch.

  Work on counterconditioning by making great things happen when you perform these actions. Disconnect the trigger from the fear: For instance, grab your keys, toss a high-value treat, and then close the door and leave for one second. After a while, you can gradually increase that amount of time.

  At some point, your dog will no longer respond to these triggers. See the video below for a program on desensitizing and counterconditioning your departures through clicker training.

• Use Calming Aids: Over-the-counter DAP diffusers (dog-appeasing pheromones which you can spray) may help those who are quite anxious, but some may need veterinarian-prescribed drugs to help them learn how to better cope with their anxiety. These drugs should be accompanied by behavior modification employed by a knowledgeable trainer or behavior consultant. This leads to the last tip, which is:
• Consult with a Behavior Expert: A behavior consultant who is knowledgeable in cases of separation anxiety can prove helpful. He or she will help you implement behavior modification correctly so that you can up your chances for success.

Further Reading

• Why Is My Old Dog Suffering From Sudden Separation Anxiety?
  Old dogs may suffer from separation anxiety, but the cause may be totally different from anxiety experienced by younger dogs. A medical check-up is necessary to rule out these causes.
• How to Stop Your Clingy Dog From Following You Everywhere
  Does your dog follow you everywhere from room to room? What can you do to stop the overly clingy behavior? Here are some strategies to help increase independence and confidence in your dog.
• Understanding Dog Counterconditioning
  Trying to train your dog or modify their behavior? Dog counterconditioning is a behavior modification technique that goes to the root of your dog's problem by changing your dog's underlying emotional responses.
• Understanding Dog Foraging Behavior
  What causes dogs to hunt for food all day? Learn more about dog foraging behavior and how to help your dog feel more mentally stimulated.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Comments

Stacey on May 05, 2020:

I have a Frenchton (Boston Terrier and French Bulldog mix) that is hyper attached to my daughter. He won't leave her side and won't do anything without her. I am considering asking a professional, but don't know if that is necessary. If you are still responding, please tell me what to do.

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 28, 2019:

Li, it can be a mix of separation anxiety/clingy behaviors (they go hand in hand often) and possibly, attention-seeking behavior that has been reinforced in the past and the dog struggles with lack of. You may find this read helpful: https://discover.hubpages.com/animals/How-to-Stop-...

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 28, 2019:

SinthiaRena, please consider enlisting the help of a dog trainer/behavior consultant using force-free behavior modification. What methods does your husband use for training? Is he looming over your dog/using a low tone of voice? Your dog may be intimidated by his posture.

Lj on July 25, 2019:

I have a dog that is a retired service dog. He has always had separation anxiety if left in the house when we are gone (even with the 3 other dogs at home), so he gets kenneled. Recently I have noticed that his clingyness is increasing. He "needs" to be petted at all times. When you stop he forces himself under your hand, or will paw at your face. He does this even if he is in your lap on the couch. The second you stop petting with your hand he starts demanding that you resume and will crawl on top of you. If you ignore it or tell him to get off the couch/ignore the behavior he starts pacing (he will pace for hours with a toy or one of my shoes in his mouth) and jumps on the counter/finding things to chew up (this use to only be an issue if left out of the kennel while away). If there are other people in the house that he knows he will go person to person until everyone refuses to pet. Then he goes to find trouble. The funny thing is that he is terrified of people he doesn't know (unless he is in his vest working). I find it weird that contact isn't even enough for him and that it has to be the stroking hand. I have engaged him in training new tricks/tasks, bringing him out of retirement, but none of that seems to help. He doesn't do it in his vest, but the moment we aren't in public it starts. When working he behaves appropriately.

Is this really just clingy behavior and separation anxiety.

SinthiaRena on July 02, 2019:

I have a 6 month old German mix and he is hyper attached to me. He loves to play with my daughter but shows aggression towards my man when He tries to train the dog. I don’t want to get rid of my pup but if he keeps biting I’ll have no choice. Help

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on June 06, 2019:

Taylor, sounds like you may need professional help. Look for a force-free dog trainer/behavior consultant to help you out on working on his behavior. This dog's behaviors towards your friend's son sounds concerning.

Taylor on May 16, 2019:

I have a Terrier mix that we took in from an older couple who kept forgetting to lock their gate. He's said to now be about 2 and a half, but he's so, so attached to me and my boyfriend. He whines and whimpers when we leave him with others, but he cannot be along without scratching at the doors and windows and barking.

We're going through a transitional period and looking for a place of our own, but I'm afraid of getting noise complaints or destruction if we leave him home alone.

On top of that, he nearly attacked a friend's son when he was jumping and playing with me. Luckily, my boyfriend blocked him and took the teeth instead. I really don't know what to do.

Dennis Chegash on March 21, 2019:

We have an 18 month old Blue Heeler who is overly attached to me to where he has bitten and threatened my wife. This happened when we were both paying attention to him, but also when she has tried to distract his attention away from me. She usually feeds him, sometimes walks with him and spends the day with him while I'm at work and while I'm away, there are no problems. I'll take him for longer walks (usually over 2 miles, most every day) and usually am the one to play with him. How do we get him to lose the aggression toward my wife?

Nita on March 19, 2019:

Are you still giving advice on this article? Need help with my parents new dog that they took in from a Family member.

Embem04 on July 11, 2018:

My 10 year old dachshund has become very attached to me since becoming completely blind very quickly. We have a big family, but he becomes nervous around anyone other then me. He doesn't like to do things he used to be able to by himself alone. He won't even walk around outside unless he knows I'm beside him.

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on February 17, 2018:

You can try to make it a habit of having your son come along every time it's time to go potty. Say "let's go potty!" in an excited tone, open the door and bring your son along with your dogs. Then, let him feed the dogs a high value treat once they are out and successfully go potty. At some point, et your son say "let's go potty!" and open the door and you can start lagging a bit behind each time they are sent out, until your son is only out with them.

Angela Dwyer on January 27, 2018:

I have a 2 year old Chocolate Lab. I got him at 6 weeks. He is very attached to me. He loves everyone in the house My husband and son, but he will not go outside to relieve himself or play unless I take him. I also have a 9 year old yellow lab and he won't even go out with him unless I go too. I have a trip coming up and will be leaving him for 1 week. How can I get him to go out with my son to do his business outside. He acts terrified if my son tries to get him to go outside in AM after feeding.

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on January 25, 2018:

Many pups at this age tend to get very attached. You can try to give a stuffed toy while you repeatedly practice brief absences (like towards another room). Make it a point of only returning when your pup is not whining otherwise you reinforce the whining.

Megan E Gagnon on December 28, 2017:

I have a soon to be 9 week old puppy the breeder i got her from sold her to early but now my pup cant let me out of site five seconds without whining following or causing a fuss idk what else to do my bf has tried to keep her occupied whn i leave but she still whines idk what else to do :.(

Sandra on November 14, 2017:

I have got a 3 month old cavapoo who is very clingy to me , he loves other people but seems to cling to me , he has only been on his own for 10 minuets and he screams & throws up , will he grow out of it ?

Ken on April 28, 2017:

A most helpful article. Our dog is one year rescue. When we first got him home he seemed to be bonding with me my love. But less than a week into the adoption he nip and growled when I simply reached to hold him back from following my love out the door.

Then a few days later I git hime before my love and let him out the door and he tries to bite me again and when into hysteria when I raised my voice to tell him that wrong.

From there it's been downhill ever since. He walks less than a foot from my love he clings to. Won't let anyone collar him but her. He growls when he feels cut off from my love.

No matter how many treats I give him or cuddles he will not spends any time with me alone.

We'll try the techniques here and hope for the best. Rescue dogs I am learning are a special problem.

Michell Weaver on April 15, 2017:

I Have a 6 mos old frenchie who is a poster child for Velcro puppy I cannot leave the room without him looking for or following me I am home all day and if I do leave he goes with he will not go outside without me if I come in he goes nuts wanting to be with me he sleeps with me I am his 24 7 caregiver now I know that I have a big problem!

Paula Berry on April 04, 2017:

Thank you for this article.

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on March 07, 2017:

She can perhaps play with her more, walk her, groom her and train her making it fun and using treats. These are bonding activities.

Chris on March 05, 2017:

I have a Velcro dog....But I also have a 9 year old daughter that is very upset that our Dog "only loves me and doesn't love her" in the eyes and words of a 9 year old.

Is there a way to move her velrco to another person....Even maybe just a little??

Lainie on January 05, 2017:

We've just adopted a 2 year old border collie. She's a very sweet dog but I think she suffers from anxiety. She is my shadow but won't have anything to do with anyone else in family or otherwise. My husband or son can feed her but she'll only eat if they are out of the room. She won't go outside for either of them preferring to "hold it" until I get home. When they try to coax her outside she hides in her crate. How can I make her more confident and part of the whole family?

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on November 30, 2016:

Collen, it might be this dog is seeking you out because your place is quieter and at 9-years old she may have a need to "chill out.". With a four-year old in the home, she may need to have a break as thing can sometimes get stressful and it's tough for dogs at this age sometimes. She's likely attracted to you because you may feel reassuring and calm and your place is more quiet. If she is laying by the door crying and you want to put a halt to this behavior you should not give in or the crying will be rewarded and it go on and one, louder and for longer periods of time.

Colleen on November 17, 2016:

I moved in an apt across the hall from by daughter and 4 yr old grandson. It's been great however, i didn't anticipate having a problem with their dog. We share a laundry room adjacent to our kitchens and most of the time we leave our kitchen doors open therefore allowing my grandson to come back and forth. However her 9 year old dog, has taking a real liking to my place and has been wondering over to sleep at foot of my bed, is in my place when I come home from work to greet me etc. My grandson, is now saying to other family members, in a matter of fact tone, not angry, that he doesn't have his dog anymore because she likes Grandma better etc. which is heartbreaking to me. So last night I closed my door when going to bed and my daughter told me the dog layed on the floor next to my door crying. Can anyone please give me any suggestions on how to resolve?

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 07, 2016:

Get him used to your parents for some time before leaving so he has time to adjust. Let you parents be engage in certain activities such as playing with him, feeding him and walking him when you are still around. Then gradually, leave the room and gradually implement exercises where he doesn't see you for a bit. The day you must leave, pretend as if you are leaving him alone, but then, let your parents appear. Hopefully, they will be able to provide some comfort knowing that he's not alone and that there are people who will be taking care of him. He will adjust, the first few days are the most stressful, but then they fit in. I have watched many dogs like yours and they eventually settle when they see they will be taken care of. These dogs don' do well in kennels but in a home environment and company they cope better.

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 06, 2016:

Grace Weaver, how old is your pup?

Busterish on June 20, 2016:

My GSD x Corgi has terrible anxiety when I leave him. Even if he is with my parents, who he gets on very well with, he won't play, and barely eats or drinks, he constantly paces and is forever looking for me. I will put these techniques in place but is there any advice for when I have to leave him with the parents how they can help reassure him. He is a rescue and rather a nervous one at that anyways but it is heartbreaking to watch him when he is in that state. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Grace weaver on June 16, 2016:

I have a golden retriever pup n I'm very worried, I'm not sure if she is over the top spoiled or what the deal is. But I have noticed that she will NOT sleep if I'm not sleep at night if I'm not sitting right by her crate. I'm not sure if she is scared about something. But I don't know if this is something that I should be concerned about, or if she is going to grow out of it. Please help , look for advice.

Summer LaSalle from USA on May 07, 2015:

Yes, it definitely looked like a murder scene after he was all done. He needed 147 stitches, poor guy. We never crated him after that and for the most part he was fine- with the exception of tearing up and eating any visible food left out!

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on May 07, 2015:

I can't imagine the sheer panic this dog may have felt to do such a thing. Sadly, anxiety off the roof can cause them to even injure themselves. An owner once showed me what looked like the scene of a crime scene because her dog scratched the doors until it bled from it's nails and paws. It can get really out of hand.

Summer LaSalle from USA on May 07, 2015:

Our German Wire Hair had such bad separation anxiety, he once broke out of a Shoreline Kennel by ramming himself up against the side until he broke the metal molding on the side, and shinnied out of an envelope sized hole, basically ripping his sides off. This happened in the span of three hours! It was horrible.

S.P. Greaney from Ireland on May 20, 2014:

I know a lady whose dog behaves like that. He goes absolutely crazy when she leaves the room never mind the house. Unless you saw his behavior you wouldn't believe it. I will mention your advise in a subtle way. :)

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on May 20, 2014:

Thanks you, yes, I love the method used in the video, and some times I also use the clicker for cases of separation anxiety. It works very well!

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez from Philippines on May 19, 2014:

I like the points that were brought up in this hub, and especially the video, which was very interesting. The owner was so patient in teaching her dog to be independent. This was a great hub!

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on May 19, 2014:

Jayewisdome, what a wonderful bond you two have! Several dogs become more clingy as they age, especially if they lose sight or hearing. In that case, closeness gives reassurance as they are frightened by their weakened state. Even with my dogs as they age, I allow them to get away with more things than when they were pups and give them much more pampering. They deserve it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on May 19, 2014:

I hear you. I also sometimes debate with my husband if we should get anymore dogs after the ones we have. We are no longer able to travel thinking of leaving them alone as they do miserably, refuse to eat etc. I may decide to just foster dogs, train them and get them ready for adoption.

Jaye Denman from Deep South, USA on May 19, 2014:

My dog (aged 9) is very attached to me, and even when family members or friends she likes are visiting, she will hunt for me and stay close by. This behavior increased after she went blind a year ago, and the fact that I'm retired and home nearly all the time probably adds to her 'clinginess.'

When I'm gone for a short period, she doesn't do anything destructive, but she knows that she's not allowed to lie on the sofa back, so guess where I find 'sunk-in' evidence of where she spent her time without me there to tell her 'no?' Any time I leave the house for more than 1/2 hour, I either leave something playing for her on Netflix that she can listen to or play a CD especially made to comfort dogs, 'Through a Dog's Ear.'

I realize that I enable her by catering to her every whim now that she's blind (and bossy), but I feel that she has much less to make her happy. She doesn't want to play with her toys like she did when sighted, and she sleeps entirely too much. I try to spend time with her every day and stimulate her with puzzle toys, as well as walk her on leash around our large back yard, but she'd rather just sit in my lap and put her head and paws on my shoulder. That's difficult to resist!

I do know that if I were to die before she does, my son (whom she adores) would care for her, and she would probably attach to him in my place. (I hope.)

As people in my family jokingly (or not) tell me, I've spoiled her, and I realize it's true. But I don't know how much longer we will be together, and I love her dearly, so I make no excuses for pampering her. She doesn't seem to suffer from strong separation anxiety, but she shows that she's extremely glad when I return from even a brief absence by the high-pitched noise she makes and eager jumping on me. I don't let her continue to jump on me, but I do understand it.

Voted Up, Useful and Interesting

Jaye

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on May 19, 2014:

I had a dog and he was attached to me when I left South Africa he had a new owner and did not see him again. It was hard for me to leave him but had no choice . I don't want to have any pets. It is too much to cope with and too much hurt. Great hub.