Clingy!!

[neamhni]

i did a few searches but didn't find anything- sorry if this is a repeat.

Jumbo is a one year-old pit/lab mix. Very mild mannered, sweet, calm, obedient, wonderful in practically every way. However, he isn't very independent and not only is it extremely irritating (he can spend an hour just sitting in front of me while i'm watching tv, staring at me), but it concerns me. i want him to be confident and mentally healthy.

When he nudges or stares (he also likes to lay his head on your arm or lap or pillow- *extremely* cute and hard to ignore, but we try), my husband and i are pretty good about not paying attention to him (ie. giving in), but it doesn't seem to phase him, he'll just continue the behavior. If we close the door to the room we are in and he is in the another, he just sits and stares at the door. i don't expect him to not miss us at all, or to forget about us and throw a party, but it's almost a 24/7 behavior, so it can't be good. Of course, he follows us in to every single room, even the bathroom where there is no room for him. If he is told to stay in another room, he will stay-sitting there...staring. If we try to distract him with a toy or bone, he will pay attention to it only as long as we are paying attention to him. Then he will leave it to follow/stare at us.

So what can i do to encourage independence in him?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Herschel]

You could give him something fun to do away from you. For example, give him a raw bone to chew on while he is in his crate, or a bully stick while he is in another room with the door closed.

 

[corgipower]

it may be a mild separation anxiety. is there any sort of destructive behavior when he's alone?

activities with him can help to some extent, like obedience, agility. they help build confidence, they give him a clear idea of who the leader is (which helps in giving him confidence), they teach him to do things at a distance.

although to some extent he is simply doing what dogs do. he is following his master.

 

[neamhni]

You could give him something fun to do away from you. For example, give him a raw bone to chew on while he is in his crate, or a bully stick while he is in another room with the door closed.

He doesn't have a crate- he's never been crated. He's had 3 owners before us (in less than 9 months-maybe why he's so clingy?); when we first got him we tried to crate him and he fought like you-wouldn't-believe to not go in. Since he has no need of one, he doesn't have one. However, when he's left in another room, door closed, with a toy or bone, he doesn't care. He ignores it an sits at the door.

it may be a mild separation anxiety. is there any sort of destructive behavior when he's alone?

No, not at all. We can hear him cry a little when we leave, but after that he climbs on the futon and goes to sleep until we come home.

activities with him can help to some extent, like obedience, agility. they help build confidence, they give him a clear idea of who the leader is (which helps in giving him confidence), they teach him to do things at a distance.

We do obedience, but we could always do more. ;> Never tried agility training- good suggestion, thanks!

 

[Herschel]

No, not at all. We can hear him cry a little when we leave, but after that he climbs on the futon and goes to sleep until we come home.

If it isn't separation anxiety and he isn't destructive, why not just put him in another room when you need your space?

 

[corgipower]

i have a dog that will follow me everywhere and is always on top of me, snuggling as much as she can.

but she has no confidence issues, if there is something compelling her to leave me she will, if i tell her to go to her place across the room she does.

the only thing with your dog that makes me think mild SA is that he will play with his toys and bones only if you are there.

but that also could simply be that his drive for the toys is not as strong as his desire to be with you.

i'm not sure you really need to worry.

 

[Doberluv]

A lot of dogs are like that. It's pretty usual for a lot of dogs to be very drawn to their leaders. I don't think this sounds like seperation anxiety, as that normally includes destructive, frantic behavior, panic. Your dog may be a little extra insecure on account of having had different homes, being up-rooted a few times. I agree with Corgipower in that obedience practice, teaching some distance skills and agility would be great for confidence boosting. Agility takes skill and takes the dog's own power to perform. It just seems to give a dog a sense of accomplishment. Tug of war games where you let your dog win are helpful. Just be sure he knows to give it when you ask and doesn't grab your hand by accident. In that case, the game must end iimmediately and you can try again in a few minutes. Hide and seek where someone holds him in one room while you hide. He comes to find you. It's fun and he's doing something on his own "powers." There are some interactive toys...look up online. Teach a few tricks. Look up clicker training. There are a lot of neat things to do there where the dog has to figure things out....use his own head. That always makes a dog more competent and confident.

But, dogs are very, very social animals and love to be with their masters. My Doberman is like that. He doesn't really stare at me most of the time, but loves to be in the same room most of the time.

Anyhow....do more stuff with your dog and he'll probably get more secure with himself...all positive reinforcement training.