Why is my dog being overly affectionate?

Dogs often become more affectionate for completely natural reasons but it all could be due to an underlying medical condition. Canines who are aging are likely to grow more affectionate to their human companion as their reliance on them grows. This is doubly so for canines who are experiencing deafness, blindness, or trouble smelling provided these are not lifelong disabilities. A dog who cannot see from birth will use their other senses to navigate efficiently, however, a dog that becomes blind later in life will have a much harder time adjusting. Dogs may just become more affectionate due to old age, a lack of excess energy that they may have once had. They may have grown closer to you because they have more time that they just want to relax and they are accustomed to relaxing with you. Dogs can also be known to grow more calm and affectionate in response to their human companion becoming sick and weak. Your dog showing a higher level of affection then normal should not be cause for concern unless it is coupled with additional symptoms.

Sometimes, a seemingly unwarranted affection between a dog and a person is simply a meeting of the minds. If a couple gets a dog, you may find that there’s a wired-in attraction to the one partner who has a similar temperament as the dog, whether that be laidback, hyper, or in-between. Dogs can learn who’s the dutiful parent who says “no” for their own good, and who’s the fun one who lets them break the rules. There’s a good chance your dog will want to snuggle up to the one who allows them to jump on the soft, warm couch, rather than the one who makes them lie down on the vet’s cold table. Like children, dogs are manipulative in this way. Sometimes, they make you feel like they’re punishing you for your influence over their lives, by preferring someone else. Dogs have notoriously good senses of smell, they can and do develop antipathies to people based on their odors. A partner who smells delightful to a dog — whether it’s because of pheromones, food, or other animals — has an excellent chance of being loved unconditionally.

My dog loves me too much. He's healthy, well-fed, and generally a happy guy. Only, no amount of petting, hugging, cuddling, and attention will ever be enough. The first step, Little explained, is to figure out why my dog is so clingy to me in particular. It honestly reminds me of "imprinting" for the ol' Twilight fans out there — he's decided it's me and me alone he must love. If I pet him, it begets hours more of begging to be petted. His tank has no "fill line." Research backs the idea that dogs value praise even more than food, but this level of affection, I wasn't ready for it. You have to first see what your pet's reaction is in the home to certain people, is the dog more clingy to one of the owners in the house and hides from another.

If your female dog isn't spayed, she'll go through her heat cycle approximately every six months. During this period, hormonal changes can cause various behavioral shifts, including increased clinginess. A pregnant dog might become more affectionate and clingy as she seeks extra comfort and safety during this crucial period. Any sudden behavioral change, like increased clinginess, can be an indicator of health problems. Pain, discomfort, or feeling unwell can lead your dog to seek comfort from her trusted human. Dogs, like humans, can experience stress, fear, or anxiety. Events such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or even a change in the household routine can lead to increased anxiety. In such times, your dog may become clingy because she sees you as a source of protection and comfort. Environmental changes, such as moving to a new house, introducing a new pet, or rearranging furniture, can make a dog uneasy. Your female dog might become clingy in these scenarios because her usual environment or routine has been disrupted. Dogs are incredibly attuned to their owners' emotions. If you're going through a stressful period or experiencing strong emotions, your dog might pick up on that and become clingy out of concern.