Is your dog too clingy?

Does your dog follow you around the house and won't leave you alone even if you have to use the bathroom? Does he get anxious if you're not in sight?

Why is your pet so clingy?

Emotional attachment is a major factor that leads to clinginess in pets. Dr

Gustavo Pinto

, vet based in Goa, tells us, "Dogs, and some cats as well, are emotionally sensitive, so they tend to get clingy. Some of them love to sleep with their parent and feel comfortable being around only a particular parent."

It also depends on how you treat your pet.

Raj Mariwala

, canine and feline behaviourist and dog trainer and founder of Citizen K9, says, "Clinginess can happen because the humans are too clingy with the dog — long, emotional goodbyes for example." Dr

Devanshi Desai

, dog trainer and behaviourist and founder of

Dog to School

, adds, "Pets start getting clingy if pet parents start promising all their time to the pet in its initial phase of getting them home. This causes seperation anxiety issues and underconfidence."

Clinginess could come from other issues too.

Shaun Moitra

, canine trainer and founder of Dogspeed, says, "Mostly pets with issues like nervousness, anxiety or a history of trauma show signs of clinginess." Raj says, "Some other factors that could play a role are genetics, traumatic experiences, changes in the family etc."

Devanshi

adds that pets who have got used to having their parents around during the pandemic find it difficult to let go, since they have been around for longer durations.

When do you need to be concerned?

It is important to watch out for signs of clinginess. "Usually people only reach out after their pet has full blown separation anxiety. Some signs of clinginess include following you into/ or waiting outside the bathroom door & scratching/ whining. Or, is the dog unable to sit farther away from you even if you are in the same room? Or, the dog getting stressed out on seeing you pick up your shoes or mask to head out the door," says Raj. Devanshi says, "An extremely clingy puppy would be someone who shows signs of extreme stress when the parents aren't around."

How can you change this behaviour?

You need to watch out for signs and work on changing this behaviour. "Pet parents need to understand where to draw the line when it comes to giving pets attention, to correct their behaviour and pattern at the right time," says Shaun.

Encouraging pets to spend time apart goes a long way. "This could be done by providing them with enrichment toys, puzzles or activity that the pet can do in front of the parent, so first you start with mental separation and then slowly move towards physical separation, which could ease the puppy into becoming more independent," says Devanshi.

You can start by being away for shorter durations, to get your pet used to it. "Don't allow it to enter the bathroom with you. Start by leaving the dog alone in the house for short periods, and build up to longer absences. Finally, stop the emotional goodbyes — just leave without making a big deal," says Raj.

What causes your pet to be clingy?

Too much attention
Being rewarded for being around you, example; pats, treats
Seperation anxiety, stress or illness
Sudden change in surrounding
Boredom and lack of mental stimulation

Tips to make your pet independent

Get them to go to their special place, like their bed or mat
Teach your dog the stay command
Reward them when they follow
Add more physical activity to their routine
Find boredom busters and way to keep them occupied
Get them to play games that doesn't require you