Obsessive dogs: what to do with a sticky pet

If a four-legged friend follows the owner everywhere like a shadow, he probably got a sticky pet. For these dogs, which are also called Velcro, after the popular VELCRO textile fastener.^®, is characterized by an obsessive attachment to his person, which, of course, is a consequence of great love. Dog owners should be aware of a few key things about these animals.

What dogs are considered obsessive

Dogs are pack animals, which means they prefer to live in a group. According to American Kennel Club (AKC), although the pet does not live in the wild, its tendency to move in a pack – that is, next to the owner – is a manifestation of a natural instinct. Therefore, a certain level of intimacy with a dog is absolutely normal and even necessary.

However, if your pet constantly dangles under your feet, it may be time to take a closer look at his daily life. According to the AKC, how a dog is trained has a lot to do with how it behaves. Perhaps the owner unconsciously encourages the obsessive closeness and stickiness of the animal. For some people, sticky dogs are a great joy, for others they are a problem.

How to understand that a dog will be clingy

If the family plans get a new dogIt’s important to remember that the typical clingy pet is easy to get to know, quickly becomes affectionate, and is likely to tag along during meetings. Any dog ​​needs time to get used to a new owner, and if the dog seems very sociable and very interested from the very beginning, it may be that clingy pet.

For animals that are just starting to show clingy behavior, the K9 Innovation Academy in Utah says it may be inherent in the breed or acquired as a result of an excess of positive reinforcement. That is, in fact, to develop due to the fact that the owner takes the dog everywhere with him, or because the pet has little contact with other people.

According to information posted on the Foundation’s website The Animal Rescue Site, which raises funds to save animals, representatives of the following breeds are most often prone to stickiness:

• Labrador– a retriever.
• French Bulldog.
• Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon).
• Golden retriever.
• Chihuahua.
• Shetland Sheepdog.
• Pug.
• Australian shepherd.
• Italian Greyhound.
• Doberman Pinscher.

Sticky behavior is often seen in puppies. This is mainly because they are young, impressionable and rely on their natural pack animal instincts. The last, as he writes AKCC, make them relentlessly follow their owner. But as the dog matures and gets used to the home life, the dog develops new habits and learns to follow the instructions it receives from its human.

What are the advantages of a dog’s attachment to a person?

You can love a pet for its unwavering loyalty, the warmth that it gives you on long winter evenings, and its presence in the house. Many owners dream of raising a sticky dog. After all, this means that they will always have a cute creature at their side, hungry for attention, and a pair of listening ears in case the desire arises to chat with an interested audience.

As reported Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the presence of a pet in the home can have a positive impact on human health, encouraging him, for example:

• go out and walk more often;
• communicate with others in dog park;
• smile more and be less nervous.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that pet owners may experience lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and feelings of loneliness. So the next time your dog starts rubbing against your leg, you should thank him for his warmth and devotion.

The danger that the dog gets in the way

If a dog tags along wherever the owner goes, including the toilet and kitchen, this can create a risk of tripping for the person and injuring both themselves and the animal. Sticky dogs are also more likely to experience separation anxiety, and show displeasure when they are left alone. This can result in damage to the home, enclosure, or the pet itself due to excessive licking or biting.

If the clingy behavior is new and out of character for the dog, the pet should be examined quickly. Perhaps a splinter is stuck in the pad of the paw that causes pain, or the dog is just thirsty and there is nothing in the bowl. Sometimes sticky behavior is just a request for attention. It is worth satisfying such a need – and the pet will quickly return to its normal state.

If the dog has managed to win the title of “super duper extra obsessive”, it’s time to evaluate the frequency of positive reinforcement with which he is rewarded. Perhaps the owner himself is too obsessed with the pet and unconsciously encourages him not to step away from himself. For example, offering a reward at every opportunity in the form of copious favors, back scratches, or delicious treats.

Tips for training obsessive dogs

If the pet is too intrusive, you should pay attention to how they react to it during the day. If family members spoil him regularly, this excessive attention can turn into sticky behavior. If every time the dog approaches, the family throws a little party, he will want to stay around around the clock.

The first step in training a clingy dog ​​should be to find out the reasons for his excessively hot affection. It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian to rule out medical problems and ask for advice on correcting this behavior from his personal experience.

If, on the contrary, the pet behaves aloofly and family members would like to “increase the degree of its stickiness”, you need to give the dog more individual attention. Praise her for good deeds, such as when she calmly plays with a toy, rests in a chair that she is allowed to sit on, or is nearby. You need to let her know that pets are full members of her pack, and not just people who walk and play with her.

A sticky dog ​​is a pet that will follow its owner everywhere in search of love and attention. Such instinctive behavior can make a four-legged pet the most devoted friend, or it can be a little annoying, especially if it is fueled by anxiety. Fortunately, obedience training can be used to correct a dog’s behavior, making it more independent or more clingy. It is important to remember that it is the man who is the leader of the pack. It is he who is responsible for the interaction of people and pets in the house.