Why is my dog so attached to me?

Question

I have two dogs and the boy dog is always following me around the house and lying down next to me. If he can't see me, he starts barking as if in a panic. I've done so many things to help alleviate his separation anxiety (i.e. long walks/runs; changing the times I leave the house; ignoring him) but he just freaks out when I leave hime alone. The only thing I can do is just let him bark it out. I took him on a two hour hike one time and he was super tired, but he still had energy to bark when i left him alone. Is there anything that can calm him down? The girl dog is just fine when I leave her alone. She doesn't make a sound. They're both american eskimos.

Answer 1

I must tell you your dogs sound EXACTLY like mine. The boy is completely attached to me and the girl could care less.

My guy (Bailey is his name) cries if you close the door and leave him alone and I know for a fact he has separation anxiety. This comes from being taken away from their mother too early when they are puppies and happened long before you even met your dog!

My wife and I came to find out that we thought we got Bailey from a reputable breeder but it turned out to be a "puppy mill" where they inbreed dogs to chrurn out "purebreds" (he's a Weimaraner) and so here he is 11 years later, a complete mess. Yes, he has been this way for 11 years so bad news: it will not change so get used to it.

Accept the fact that the dog loves you the way he does (I know, it can drive you crazy - I have found myself getting mad at him sometimes) but know that he is simply in a panic thinking you're leaving him and so he wants to let you know it's upsetting! I have tripped over Bailey hundreds of times because he is ALWAYS right there against your leg letting you know he's there. Gee thanks pal! I didn't notice you were attached to my leg like always!

You sound like you're doing exactly what I'd suggest: tire him out, pray he sleeps and then tiptoe away so you can leave without being noticed.

Answer 2

Put him in his crate..alone. When you come home do not let him out of that crate until there is no sound at all from him for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Put him in his crate to spend time with the other dog. Keep him there until no sound for that amount of time. This will take some time but he will get the idea. The reasoning is that he is trying to be co-boss with you over the other dog . Add to that the separation anxiety and you have one miserable little guy. But you have to be the boss and train him that this behavior will not get him anything.

Another tool you might employ is to lay him on his side when he does this and hold him down until he relaxes. Then let him up and walk away. Do not say a word to him and do it again if he picks up where he left off. Do not talk to him at all during this time. Stare at him but no voice.

Answer 3

My beagles are very attached to me too. The male is only 3 and was abused somehow by his previous family. He has a bent tail and is extremely afraid of large trucks. He even follows me to the bathroom! He curls up when I'm sitting on the couch and falls asleep on my legs, so I'm literally stuck for a while. Both dogs sleep with my husband and me. I'm so glad we have a king! It's very annoying at times. They even come to bed at the same time as us. We sometimes leave the tv on when we leave so they won't feel alone. Of course we have Animal Planet on. :-)

Answer 4

Its perfectly normal. I have two dogs, both females, one live outside and the other inside. When they were young, they always panic when they were left alone. But as soon as a dog gets older, they come to relaize they won't need to worry. So, your dog really loves you, just cherish that attaching dog, bcause soon, they won't need as much attention as they wanted to have.

Answer 5

Because they love you

Answer 6

They luv their momma