Have you ever wondered what the term “Velcro dog” meant? Does it mean they are stuck to you or it’s just a funny nickname to describe a dog that’s a little bit clingy? What is a Velcro dog? Here’s what you need to know:

What is a Velcro Dog?

At their core, dogs are pack animals. Pack animals prefer to live and travel in groups, seeking safety and security from being part of a pack. Of course, your dog isn’t out foraging and living off the land, but that doesn’t mean their pack animal instincts aren’t still a part of them.

This pack mentality is often why dogs prefer to stick close to their owners, other family members, and even other pets in the home. Building a bond with your dog is important as it fosters that pack mentality that is a part of them.

Just like with anything else, not every dog is the same and some dogs may desire to be close to you or other family members at all times, even when it can be annoying. Sometimes these overly clingy dogs are called Velcro dogs because it’s almost like they are stuck to you like a piece of VELCRO.

It may feel flattering that your dog loves you so much that they want to be close to you, but it may be helpful to both you and your dog to work on some behavior training. Plus, you may be encouraging this behavior without even realizing it. Fostering some independence is healthy for both you and your dog.

Why is My Dog So Clingy?

There may be a few contributing factors to why your dog is overly clingy. Sometimes it’s just a part of the dog’s personality, a learned behavior, or it can be a sign of a larger issue. Here are some common reasons why dogs can be clingy:

1. Learned Behavior

A lot of times, dogs are conditioned to be clingy, even if you don’t realize it. Dogs are very social animals and they pick up on a lot of our behavior and how we interact with them. If your dog gets a treat or a snack every time they follow you to the kitchen, they are going to expect that and follow you to the kitchen anytime you go there. This reinforces the idea that if they follow you, they can expect a treat or a reward.

While proper socialization is essential to a puppy’s development, too much attention and rewarding the wrong things can lead to dependence and then anxiety or fear when you’re busy or not around. Dogs do need to learn independence, at least in the sense that they remain confident even when they are not right next to you. The earlier they learn it, the more confident and content they will be.

2. Anxiety and Stress

Dogs with anxiety issues often exhibit clingy behaviors. However, dogs can sense when we are anxious or stressed and they may become clingy as a reaction to those feelings. Many dogs also develop some clingy behaviors if there’s an upset in their routine or their house.

When you notice signs your dog is stressed, you’ll find they seek comfort in their owners, which possibly may encourage a clingy dog. It’s important that your dog feels safe with you, but you can still change a routine in a way that can still help your dog feel safe and secure without becoming problematically clingy.

3. Illness and Aging

As a dog ages and loses some cognitive function, they may become clingy if their world starts to feel unfamiliar. A dog experiencing canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome can feel very disorienting for dogs so it’s important to talk to your vet if you notice any signs of cognitive decline.

A dog that is experiencing any vision or hearing loss may need to depend on you more for assistance, thus encouraging some clingy behaviors. If your dog doesn’t feel well, they may want to be around you all the time. If they’re not feeling well, they want you to help them feel better. If your dog follows you around constantly, this could be one of the signs your dog is bored.

4. Clingy Dog Breeds

Some dogs are just clingier than others. Smaller lap dogs, like Shih Tzus and other companion breeds, tend to be needy and want to be with you all the time. Some hunting breeds can be clingy as well since they are trained to stick with the hunter and work with them.

5. Separation Anxiety

Sometimes clinginess in dogs is a sign that there is a bigger issue at hand such as separation anxiety. However, not every clingy dog has separation anxiety, so it’s important to know the difference, which will help you best manage and help your dog.

What separates clinginess from separation anxiety is how they react to being alone. Dogs that want to be around you when you’re at home but are fine on their own probably don’t have separation anxiety. A dog with separation anxiety will probably panic when you’re gone. They will probably also be destructive, whine continuously, and may even have accidents inside.

If your dog begins to exhibit signs of anxiety like shaking, barking, or panting when you leave, their clinginess may be progressing into separation anxiety. However, not every dog that is clingy will eventually have separation anxiety.

3 Tips For When Your Dog is Being Extra Clingy

If separation anxiety is behind your dog’s velcro dog behavior, you will need much more intensive training and desensitization to help them overcome it. If you’re having problems, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian for advice.

They should be able to recommend a trainer or even prescribe medication if they think your dog could benefit from it. Once you’ve determined the cause behind your velcro dog’s desire to be around you all the time, there are some tips you can try for when your dog is being extra clingy:

1. Work on Desensitization

If your dog gets up and follows you every time you leave the room, you might want to try desensitizing them to your behavior. This learned behavior may take some time to undo, so don’t expect immediate results.

Start paying attention to your actions and how your dog reacts. If you get up from the table after you’re done eating, they may follow you, expecting you to take them on a walk. Putting on your shoes might mean you are leaving the house. Going upstairs might mean bedtime and they want to join you. Take a few days to learn which actions your dog is reacting to.

Once you know what is triggering this response in your dog, do those actions without going somewhere. Repeat this process consistently until your dog doesn’t react anymore. This should help them become desensitized to your actions and foster independence.

2. Try More Exercise and Mental Stimulation

They say a tired dog is a happy and content dog and that’s mostly true. If your dog is so tired from some really good physical exercise, they will be way less likely to get up and follow you around the house. There are plenty of ways to exercise with your dog and it may help discourage them from constantly following you everywhere you go.

Physical exercise is essential but your dog also needs plenty of mental stimulation. Getting your dog to use problem-solving skills and working on following and mastering basic commands can help your dog from getting bored. A bored dog is way more likely to get up and follow you around, hoping to get some attention or a chance to play.

Indoor scent games are a great option if the weather is bad or you want an activity a little more low-key. Even giving them a puzzle toy or chew toy provides some good mental stimulation that can help keep your dog from getting bored. Switch out their toys every week or so to keep things feeling fresh.

3. Create a Safe Spot

Some dogs make nests because it provides them with security and a great spot to take a nap. Help make their nest an extra special spot for them with their dog bed, a favorite blanket, and some soft toys.

After they have adjusted to this new space, begin to train them to go to their special place instead of constantly following you around. Each time they go to their special spot instead of following you, be sure to shower them with plenty of praise and a few treats.

If you’ve ever had to wonder, “What is a Velcro dog?”, hopefully, this helps answer the question. Some dogs are more prone to this behavior than others and some can exhibit severe behavior while others may only be slightly clingy.

Understanding the motive behind their behavior helps determine whether more specific training is necessary. Helping your dog find confidence and independence is a great way to foster a strong bond between you and your furry friend.