Dogs most into their owners
- Thread starter Maxy24
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Well, that's hard. Because for my dogs, it's different in different situations.
Inside, Violet is the DEFINITION of Velcro. She will follow you into the bathroom, lay RIGHT on/under your feet, if you get up and sit down somewhere else, she'll follow you to that chair and lay under it. If you're in the kitchen, she sprawls across the kitchen floor and lays in there with yiu. If you ignore her for too long, she'll lay her head in your lap and STARE at you. If you continue to ignore her, she'll sloowwlly put one paw and then the other into your lap, and then sloowwlly reach her face up to yours and lick you lol! All the while looking very guilty because she's not allowed to jump up.
However, OUTSIDE...that's a whole other story. She ignores you unless she wants to play fetch. She won't listen to you, never even looks at you unless you scream "treat!!" and even then, it's 50/50 whether she'll actually come inside or not.
Chloe is basically the same way. Inside she lays next to you wherever you are, follows you everywhere, and is always in the same room as you (more so than Violet because she's allowed upstairs and Violet isn't). And outside she pretty much ignores you unless you sound mad and point at the ground in front of you and say "come HERE" or yell treat. LOL!
Inside, Violet is the DEFINITION of Velcro. She will follow you into the bathroom, lay RIGHT on/under your feet, if you get up and sit down somewhere else, she'll follow you to that chair and lay under it. If you're in the kitchen, she sprawls across the kitchen floor and lays in there with yiu. If you ignore her for too long, she'll lay her head in your lap and STARE at you. If you continue to ignore her, she'll sloowwlly put one paw and then the other into your lap, and then sloowwlly reach her face up to yours and lick you lol! All the while looking very guilty because she's not allowed to jump up.
However, OUTSIDE...that's a whole other story. She ignores you unless she wants to play fetch. She won't listen to you, never even looks at you unless you scream "treat!!" and even then, it's 50/50 whether she'll actually come inside or not.
Chloe is basically the same way. Inside she lays next to you wherever you are, follows you everywhere, and is always in the same room as you (more so than Violet because she's allowed upstairs and Violet isn't). And outside she pretty much ignores you unless you sound mad and point at the ground in front of you and say "come HERE" or yell treat. LOL!
I don't necessarily mean that the dog has to not want anything to do with other people/dogs, but more that the owner will always win out, and not just because you've trained a good recall. So if the dog is getting loved on by a guest and the owner gets up and leaves the room the dog will leave the guest to stay with you. Or if you're at the park and your dog is greeting another dog and you keep on walking on he'll still follow instead of staying to play. If your walking on trails in the woods the dog will keep looking back to make sure you are still there and if you have stopped or are not within sight he'll run back to find you/see what's up instead of just going on (I LOVE that Tucker does this, makes me feel loved lol).
Thank you all for your insight, I don't really know what I want. I've always wanted a very social dog, one that will be a therapy dog, that will want to meet people. But at the same time I like a really bonded dog, velcro dog, where you can tell the dog finds you very important, their world revolves around you, the bond is evident to others.
Thank you all for your insight, I don't really know what I want. I've always wanted a very social dog, one that will be a therapy dog, that will want to meet people. But at the same time I like a really bonded dog, velcro dog, where you can tell the dog finds you very important, their world revolves around you, the bond is evident to others.
I seem to remember you said the DA was an issue but an APBT or mix there of may suit you wonderfully in this sense. They are very owner oriented but rarely meet another human they don't love. From the labs I work with this would be their M.O. as well.
I get what you mean and Malinois, imo, are definitely an extreme. Honestly they barely notice strangers if I am interacting with them. I presume most herding minded dogs are like this as well.
I get what you mean and Malinois, imo, are definitely an extreme. Honestly they barely notice strangers if I am interacting with them. I presume most herding minded dogs are like this as well.
I've always wanted a pit bull or mix, DA became an issue when my parents decided Tucker is going to be mine. Mom has hinted at maybe deciding to keep Tucker (generally if it's been a while since her last shoe was killed), we have at least another year before we have to make any decision on that, so whether or not an APBT is a possibility depends on what mom decides to do with Tucker.
In any case it'll be a long time before I get a dog of my own choosing, I have two more years of college and then need to become financially stable lol.
In any case it'll be a long time before I get a dog of my own choosing, I have two more years of college and then need to become financially stable lol.
Nora, omg lol.
Every time I walk in the door she jumps into my arms like it's been forever since she last saw me. Multiple times. Even if I just went outside to get the mail. I love it lol.
She loves everyone but she's head over heals for me.
Lacey is into me, but it's not nearly as intense as Nora.
Every time I walk in the door she jumps into my arms like it's been forever since she last saw me. Multiple times. Even if I just went outside to get the mail. I love it lol.
She loves everyone but she's head over heals for me.
Lacey is into me, but it's not nearly as intense as Nora.
K
After reading many of these posts I would say it might not have much to do with breed. It seems to be the individual dog and individual human. There are breeds like chows written up as very independent and aloof, but I've known chows who absolutely live for their favorite human.
I had a border coliie for several years and she never bonded to any of us. She enjoyed petting and being walked but any chance to get out the door or break free of her leash and she was out of there. The bassett was more laid back of course but the same thing...I was basically a food dispenser thank you...otherwise he wanted to sleep...or eat some more.
Sophie and I have a connection I always dreamed of
I had a border coliie for several years and she never bonded to any of us. She enjoyed petting and being walked but any chance to get out the door or break free of her leash and she was out of there. The bassett was more laid back of course but the same thing...I was basically a food dispenser thank you...otherwise he wanted to sleep...or eat some more.
Sophie and I have a connection I always dreamed of
English Shepherds have been nicknamed "English Shadows" by breed enthusiasts because they are so devoted to their owners.
They can have a bit of what some people would call a stubborn streak to them (ahem, Quinn) as they are very much thinking dogs and should be able to think and act accordingly if you aren't present. Take advantage of their willing attitude by asking them to do pointless exercises, repeatedly, and they may start to question you. However, they are extremely dedicated dogs who have a VERY strong desire to work with you and want to please you. Even if I am not paying attention to Quinn or am doing something totally unexciting she would never dream of wandering off. She may wander around close to me, but she's always got an eye on me. Ever since she was young she wants to stick very close by and has a sort of comfort zone regarding her distance from me that she will not pass. I can take her to a new place, let her off leash and she still doesn't want to tend that boundary she's set for herself. She is ready to work with me the minute I'm ready but she's also happy to lie at my feet all day if I'm not. I remember being so excited when I brought her home because I'd never met another dog that would look me in the eye like she did, let alone an 8 week old puppy who would just sit still and stare at me on the car ride home. I also remember when she was little, she once got up from a good sleep, walked three feet over to me, and then went back to sleep on my feet because I changed seats.
Quinn is serious and a little subtle about it, though. While she's quite enthusiastic in her greeting if you've been gone for awhile, she won't go crazy if you've been gone 5 minutes. She'll come over and give you a soft tail wag. She is very aware of where everyone in the family is and will position herself accordingly. I used to get frustrated that she'd nap on the top of the stairs and I realized it was because she could hear and see me in my room and also hear (and see if they were in the kitchen) anyone downstairs as well. If I'm alone she rests in my room - if we're downstairs she'll rest down there with us. There is a reason for everything Quinn does, I've come to learn!
They can have a bit of what some people would call a stubborn streak to them (ahem, Quinn) as they are very much thinking dogs and should be able to think and act accordingly if you aren't present. Take advantage of their willing attitude by asking them to do pointless exercises, repeatedly, and they may start to question you. However, they are extremely dedicated dogs who have a VERY strong desire to work with you and want to please you. Even if I am not paying attention to Quinn or am doing something totally unexciting she would never dream of wandering off. She may wander around close to me, but she's always got an eye on me. Ever since she was young she wants to stick very close by and has a sort of comfort zone regarding her distance from me that she will not pass. I can take her to a new place, let her off leash and she still doesn't want to tend that boundary she's set for herself. She is ready to work with me the minute I'm ready but she's also happy to lie at my feet all day if I'm not. I remember being so excited when I brought her home because I'd never met another dog that would look me in the eye like she did, let alone an 8 week old puppy who would just sit still and stare at me on the car ride home. I also remember when she was little, she once got up from a good sleep, walked three feet over to me, and then went back to sleep on my feet because I changed seats.
Quinn is serious and a little subtle about it, though. While she's quite enthusiastic in her greeting if you've been gone for awhile, she won't go crazy if you've been gone 5 minutes. She'll come over and give you a soft tail wag. She is very aware of where everyone in the family is and will position herself accordingly. I used to get frustrated that she'd nap on the top of the stairs and I realized it was because she could hear and see me in my room and also hear (and see if they were in the kitchen) anyone downstairs as well. If I'm alone she rests in my room - if we're downstairs she'll rest down there with us. There is a reason for everything Quinn does, I've come to learn!
Surprisingly Wolfhounds can be velcro dogs (if you let them). They may be sighthounds, and considered by some to be more aloof, they are far from it (at least mine). If they could get away with it they would be by your side and even on your lap all the time... When training they tend to be "leaners" who are more on your foot than beside you. Now, we don't usually let them be this way as they are awfully big to be lap dogs, and have an annoying tendancy to fill up all those shaggy whiskers with water, then rest their soggy faces on your shoulder... But I'm sure they would be thrilled to be allowed to shadow us everywhere and everywhen....
Grace, the stafford, is very much a love bug to everyone. She's never met a person she doesn't like and she is very physical (and sometimes even vocal) with her affection. But I think that's different to the kind of 'into-ness' that is display by some of the working and gundogs. They seem to be waiting for your next move in order to do something and to get the opportunity to work with you.
Whereas Grace just likes cuddles, belly rubs and crawling into your lap. She really couldn't give a toss if I want her to 'do something'... unless I motivate her to do so. I'm not sure if that distinction makes sense? Edit - sorry, I should say that I have to really, really motivate her to want to work with me... of course dogs need to have the motivation, but it seems to be a trait that some dogs/breeds/types are more predisposed to.
Whereas Grace just likes cuddles, belly rubs and crawling into your lap. She really couldn't give a toss if I want her to 'do something'... unless I motivate her to do so. I'm not sure if that distinction makes sense? Edit - sorry, I should say that I have to really, really motivate her to want to work with me... of course dogs need to have the motivation, but it seems to be a trait that some dogs/breeds/types are more predisposed to.
I feel like Keegan (smooth collie) literally worships me. 
To me there's a fine line between healthy velcro dog and SA/neurotic velcro dog. Keegan's more on the healthy side: when I leave the room he wants to come with me, when there are strangers around he's friendly to them but comes to me if I ask him to (I've never formally trained a recall, LOL), if I leave the house he barks/whines and waits for me to come back.
BUT if I leave him in his crate, he's fine *knock on wood*. Rarely a peep, settles down and just goes to sleep. If I go out somewhere and leave him in the car, he watches for me, but he can also settle and lay down and wait patiently. He's definately upset that I'm gone, would rather I not be gone, but also he can handle being left alone.
To me there's a fine line between healthy velcro dog and SA/neurotic velcro dog. Keegan's more on the healthy side: when I leave the room he wants to come with me, when there are strangers around he's friendly to them but comes to me if I ask him to (I've never formally trained a recall, LOL), if I leave the house he barks/whines and waits for me to come back.
BUT if I leave him in his crate, he's fine *knock on wood*. Rarely a peep, settles down and just goes to sleep. If I go out somewhere and leave him in the car, he watches for me, but he can also settle and lay down and wait patiently. He's definately upset that I'm gone, would rather I not be gone, but also he can handle being left alone.
I think this is a good point. Bailey and I have an amazing bond. He is super fun to train, (almost always) listens well and he can be off leash anywhere. He always keeps tabs on me. He's my heart dog for sure.
He also has separation anxiety. He's okay being alone in the house (e.g., when he gets dropped off after daycare), but it's hard for him when *I* leave him. He's getting better (we work on it), slowly but surely, but it's hard for him. And it's a big reason I was very, very clear when I was looking for #2 that I wanted a confident dog.
He also has separation anxiety. He's okay being alone in the house (e.g., when he gets dropped off after daycare), but it's hard for him when *I* leave him. He's getting better (we work on it), slowly but surely, but it's hard for him. And it's a big reason I was very, very clear when I was looking for #2 that I wanted a confident dog.
