How do you tell if your dog is overly attached to you?
Otha Barton
2025-06-26 12:12:41
Count answers: 7
Sometimes the attachment is to all members of the family, but some dogs become over attached to just one person and can become extremely anxious and distressed when that person is absent, even if there is another person in the house, just like Heidi. Although some dogs appear to be very clingy to their owner, not all of them become distressed when their owner is absent. Very often they are relaxed when left. However, other dogs can become very stressed and anxious or extremely frustrated when their owner is not present. Certain breeds tend to become over attached, those breeds which have been selectively bred to work together with a human, such as herding and working types, but some dogs become over attached via experience. Dogs which have been relinquished to rescue organisations may, when they are re-homed, become overly dependent, which is often reinforced by their new owner who wants to make sure that they can ‘right the wrongs’ and make their new dog very secure. Over attachment can be taught by owners, constantly cuddling, talking to and stroking their dog can make the dog become a Velcro dog: needing to be close to their owner, always. There are also some human personality traits which can contribute a dog’s extreme emotional attachment to their owners.
Ted Beahan
2025-06-26 08:55:23
Count answers: 8
If you recognize any of the following emotional attachment indicators in your dog, it’s a sure sign that they’ve formed a deep emotional connection with you. One of the most obvious signs of attachment is the enthusiastic, full-body greeting you receive whenever you return home. Your dog may jump, wag their tail vigorously, and even bark out of excitement. Dogs that are emotionally attached to their owners tend to maintain eye contact, looking at them with soft, relaxed eyes. If your dog leans their body weight against you or rests their head on your lap, it's a sign of trust and attachment. Dogs with strong emotional attachments will be very in tune with their pet parent's emotions. A telltale sign that your dog is emotionally attached to you is if they want to join you for every part of your daily routine. An emotionally attached dog will follow their human around the house from the moment they wake up, making sure that they are always within sight. If your dog chooses to sleep with you or next to your bed, this means they see you as a trusted member of their pack.
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