Everywhere you go, your dog follows. A room full of people and yet your dog seeks you out, ignoring all others. Being your dog’s favorite person is a natural part of dog ownership. However, some dogs take it to the extreme – cuddling on the couch isn’t enough. They want to spend every waking moment by your side. Commonly referred as “velcro dogs,” these canine companions want nothing more than to experience everything alongside you.
They are your shadow
Velcro dogs are the dogs that follow your every move. Getting off the couch? He’s coming with you. Using the bathroom? No worries, he’ll join you. A dog shadowing your moves is a clear sign of connection between you and him. While it can be a little annoying, it’s mostly healthy unless it indicates separation anxiety. Your dog should feel confident enough to have some independence, but overall, him following you around is just another sign that he’s bonded to you.
Separation anxiety
As mentioned, a dog with velcro tendencies can actually be suffering from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety happens when a dog exhibits distress when separated from his caretaker. This can manifest in many ways but often includes destructive behavior, barking, excessive panting/drooling, pacing, whining, and more. If your dog is already attached to your every move and then has trouble coping when you are away – it’s best to consult your veterinarian about options for medication and training to help ease the stress he feels when you’re away.
Extended eye contact
Experts claim that making eye contact with
a dog can be a threatening gesture. However, the script flips a little bit here and it’s a good sign of bonding if your dog looks you directly in the eye (in a relaxed manner, of course). This relaxed eye contact is a sign that your dog is engaged with your mood, movements, and looking to connect with you directly. This is a sign of a strong bond between you and your dog – which may explain why he’s always by your side.
Socially particular
You know that super warm and fuzzy feeling you get when your dog chooses to sit with you over someone else? It’s likely not just because you have the cozier spot on the couch, but because your dog is more bonded to you. Dogs that are choosy with their affection are usually that way because they have a single person they feel safest with. This bond can lead them to choose you over others in many situations…unless, of course, food is thrown into the mix.