How to Train a Dog to Not Be Clingy

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Your dog may be your best bud, but everyone needs space and time to themselves too! A clingy dog can make it challenging to complete necessary tasks, enjoy quiet moments alone, or spend quality time with others in your life. Clinginess may signal an underlying issue that needs to be addressed, such as separation anxiety, though it can also simply be a behavior they have learned over time. Fortunately, "Velcro dogs" can be trained to be more independent. Keep reading to learn the causes of clingy behavior, how to address clinginess in your dog, and how to differentiate clinginess from separation anxiety.

Section 1 of 3:

Why do dogs act clingy?

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    Your dog might be following you around out of boredom and hope you will provide excitement or attention. Expecting your dog to leave you alone is unrealistic if they haven’t received enough stimulation to meet their needs. Consider if your dog receives adequate mental and physical exercise, and if not, address that first. [1]
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    Working and herding dogs have been bred to work closely with humans, and thus, are more likely to be attached to you—even if there’s no work to do! Toy breeds bred as lap dogs are also more likely to seek constant attention. [2]
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    Depending on their past experiences, rescue dogs may be more likely to exhibit clinginess out of a fear of abandonment. [3]
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    Your dog may be drawn to stay by your side at all times because you reward them for doing so. You may not even realize it! If you give them affection or food every time they cuddle next to you or follow you around, they will continue that behavior in hopes of future rewards. [4]
    • Being aware of how you encourage your dog’s unwanted clinginess helps you to discourage it as well!
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    If your dog tends to be clingy only at particular times, they may be reacting to something that has scared them. Listen for loud noises like fireworks or thunder that could frighten your dog. [5]
    • If your dog is clinging to you out of fear, they may pant heavily, pin their ears back, and open their eyes wide.
    • To address this behavior, take measures to help your dog to feel safe during thunderstorms and fireworks.
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    Some canine behavioral conditions—such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome in older dogs—manifest in clingy behavior, as your dog may feel disoriented or confused and seek your presence for reassurance and comfort. [6]
    • In the case of cognitive dysfunction syndrome, clinginess may also be accompanied by other changes, such as increased disorientation, increased anxiety and restlessness, changes in sleep cycle, accidents relieving themselves, decreased appetite, or decreased activity. [7]
    • If your dog suddenly begins clingy behavior or shows other signs of pain or discomfort, reach out and discuss your concerns with a veterinary professional.
    • Learn how to help your older dog with clinginess.
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Section 2 of 3:

Addressing Clingy Behavior

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    Devote time at least twice a day to be completely focused on an activity with them: practicing commands, playing a game , grooming, massaging, or cuddling. [8] Exercise their mind and body to tire them out and help them to relax later. [9]
    • Make the most of walks by taking different routes and allowing your dog time to smell the scents other dogs have left behind. [10]
    • Encourage intense exercise in addition to walks, such as fetch or other activities where your dog can run. [11]
    • Different breeds have unique exercise needs. Talk with a vet or breeder for breed-specific guidance. [12]
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    When your dog engages in unwanted clinginess or disruptive behavior, do not engage with them until they stop. If they do not stop, calmly get up or move away, continuing to ignore them until they let up. [13]
    • Do not react harshly, as this will worsen the situation if your dog is feeling anxious. [14]
    • Do not push your dog away because they will think you are playing with them and will continue to try to play with you.
    • If your dog resorts to destructive behavior that you need to stop, try to distract them without engaging their behavior, like by ringing the doorbell.
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    When your dog gives you space, by sitting or lying down or beginning an independent activity, praise them and give them attention in order to encourage them to continue that behavior. [15]
    • Use rewards that really motivate them, like toys and food.
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    Encourage your dog to stay in place while you move increasingly farther away. Start by telling them to stay while you are close nearby, increasing the distance until eventually they stay while you go to another room. Offer plenty of praise and encouragement and be patient! [16]
    • Teaching your dog to go to their bed benefits your stay training by giving them a place to be comfortable on their own. Provide treats and toys at their bed to entice them to use it. [17]
    • Try to avoid training your dog if you're in a hurry, are feeling frustrated, or aren't clear about what you want to achieve.
    • Think about what training expectations are realistic for your dog's age group along with the environment that you're working in.
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    Even when you are not actively commanding your dog to stay, desensitize them to your activity so they don’t follow your every move. [18]
    • If your dog stands up whenever you do, sit back down and then stand up again, continuing this process until your dog does not stand up when you do. Then attempt to leave the room.
    • If your dog goes to follow you, continue walking within the room until they stop following. Then actually walk out of the room.
    • If your dog follows you out of the room, walk back into the room and continue to walk in and out until your dog stops following again.
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    In addition to their favorite chew toy or cuddly stuffed animal , try a puzzle toy to keep your dog busy or hide treats throughout the house for your dog to find. [19]
    • You can make your own challenging puzzles for your dogs to play with too! A simple option is to make holes in an empty plastic container just large enough that treats or pieces of food can pass through. Then fill the container with a handful of treats or food and allow your dog to play with it, moving it until it releases some of their food. [20] Be sure to supervise your dog so they do not start chewing up the plastic.
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    Ask another trusted adult in your household to walk or play with your dog and arrange playdates. This will help your dog to feel more confident doing things without you. [21]
    • Additionally, socialization is a great source of stimulation and exercise. [22]
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    Talk to other members of your household so that they respond to clingy behavior in the same way: continually discouraging unwanted behavior and rewarding positive behavior. This way your dog will get a consistent message of what behavior is acceptable.
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    You need to be patient and persistent to train your dog to be less clingy and more independent. However, if you are struggling to stop problematic behavior after consistent and sustained training, reach out to a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. [23]
    • Some vets are certified as behavioral specialists and if not, they can refer you to a behaviorist if necessary. [24]
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Section 3 of 3:

Clinginess vs. Separation Anxiety

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    Separation anxiety may coexist with your dog’s other clingy behaviors, but they are not the same. The primary difference is that clingy behaviors occur when you are with your dog, while separation anxiety manifests when you are away. Additionally, separation anxiety can be identified by genuine stress and anxiety—not simply unwanted behavior. [25]
    • Dogs exhibiting clinginess when you are home will not necessarily have separation anxiety or develop it in the future, but they may be more likely to. Address clingy behaviors before they become worse. [26]
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    By diligently implementing desensitization techniques, you can teach your dog to become comfortable with signals that you are leaving, and eventually, with your absence. [27]
    • Counterconditioning teaches your dog to associate you leaving with something positive which they receive when you go, like a special toy with treats.
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    To help your dog cope with their anxiety, your vet may prescribe medication or recommend an over-the-counter calming product. [28] However, you will still need to practice desensitization and counterconditioning in order to successfully treat separation anxiety. [29]
    • Comprehensive desensitization and counterconditioning for severe separation anxiety is difficult and may require help. Your vet can refer you to an animal behaviorist; though some veterinarians are certified as veterinary behaviorists as well. [30]
    • A professional dog trainer may be able to help too, but find out first if they have education and experience in addressing separation anxiety through these methods. [31]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs?
    Brad Greene
    Fear Free Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Brad is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Fear Free Certified Professional. He is the owner of Fearless Dogs, which is based in the Bay Area of California and has a 5-star rating. Brad specializes in helping clients and their dogs work through challenges using effective and humane behavior change methods, enabling their relationship to thrive. His greyhound, Asher was featured in Greyhound Rescue’s 2022 calendar.
    Brad Greene
    Fear Free Certified Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Signs of separation anxiety include pacing, vocalizing, panting, and scratching at doors. Use a security camera to observe your dog for signs of stress when they're left alone; if you see signs of anxiety, contact a veterinary behaviorist or a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT) for help.
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      Tips

      • Consider a job or sport to stimulate your dog. [32]
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      • If you are concerned about separation anxiety, set up a video camera inside your home to observe your dog’s behavior when you are gone. This is particularly useful for signs of separation anxiety that are less pronounced. [33]
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      Warnings

      • Do not punish your dog for separation anxiety. This will only make them feel more anxious and worsen the situation. [34]
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      • While some dogs do very well in their crate when left alone, do not introduce a crate as a response or treatment for separation anxiety. Anxious dogs not comfortable with a crate may injure themselves trying to escape. [35]
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      References

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