Tips to train, build confidence with clingy canine
Dear Cathy: Recently I adopted a 7-year-old yellow lab who led quite a precarious life. When his original owner died, he remained with the body for three days. He was placed at the animal shelter, and I responded to an ad for adoption.
He jumped into my car. He is a great dog, but is incredibly needy. He follows me wherever I go, from room to room, inside and outside. I must be in his sight and cannot leave him alone for fear he will hurt himself (I either get a pet sitter or leave him with my wife.)
He is very loving, gets along with people, and literally pays no attention to other dogs. I know he loves to stay in the yard, but comes inside whenever I do. How do I make him less dependent on me? He’s been with us for 11 months.
— John, Virginia Beach, Virginia
DearJohn: Your dog has already proven to be an exceptionally loyal friend. As such, his grief may have manifested into anxiety and a genuine fear of losing you, since he lost his previous owner. But the clinginess is not good since it likely increases his anxiety when you are away from home.
The goal is to build his confidence and reward him for self-soothing or spending time apart from you. To start, get him a pheromone collar to wear for the next 60 to 90 days while you try the following suggestions.
Begin working on his “stay” command. Be sure to praise him each time he “stays.” Build the distance and time in a “stay” position gradually, so his confidence grows with each success. You also can introduce games, like fetch and hide and seek, that encourage him to be comfortable at being a little distant from you.
Next, teach him, “Go to your place,” which can be an open kennel, floor mat or dog bed. You need a successful “stay” command to make this work. Initially, give him treats for staying on the mat with you in the room.
As his comfort level grows, give him a special treat or toy that he only gets when you leave the room. Then, tell him to stay and leave the room. Make sure you are gone for only a few seconds to start. Build on the length of time as his confidence grows. When you return, retrieve the toy. That way, he learns good things happen when you leave the room.
Use baby gates to keep
him from following you into certain rooms but still allow him to see you.
Finally, desensitize him a little every day. Get up and leave whatever room you are in repeatedly, but return quickly to start. He will follow you initially, but he may tire and stay put when he finally realizes you aren’t really going anywhere.
The first time he stays and doesn’t follow you, be sure to praise and reward him when you return.
These things take time and practice but will help you bond with your amazing dog while reassuring him he can be alone without worry.
Dear Cathy: Your response that collars, tags and microchipping are essential is true. But now, Apple AirTags are available and can be attached to the collar to help you locate a lost loved pet.
We found a dog with an AirTag just last week, and an ID tag with a phone number. When we called, the owner didn’t even realize he was gone yet, but then knew exactly where we were located. The collar seemed made to accommodate the AirTag.
— Joanne, Williston Park, New York
DearJoanne: I agree that an AirTag seems like a very
easy way to keep track of our pets. Except, the Apple website and some veterinarians don’t recommend them for people or pets. Apparently, the AirTag runs on a CR2032 3V Lithium Battery, which can leak when damaged. Dogs have been known to chew and ingest them, causing stomach and other organ damage. But GPS trackers made for dogs and cats also run on batteries.
So, what’s the difference? The design, perhaps. The AirTag holders from Apple dangle from a collar like an ID tag. GPS trackers slide over the collar, allowing it to sit flush against the neck,
preventing it from falling off. It seems like a no-brainer for Apple to develop a similar device to secure it to a pet’s collar.
In the meantime, though, if you use an AirTag to keep tabs on your pet, it’s considered off-label use. So, you will have to find a way to secure it to the collar so it won’t fall off.