Is your dog suddenly extremely clingy? Does it appear to be obsessed with you out of nowhere? Usually, there is a good reason for that – your dog might be trying to communicate something to you.
Why is my dog suddenly obsessed with me? Your dog might suffer separation anxiety, or sense something is wrong with you. It may also be in pain and is seeking comfort. Your dog could also be in heat or bored and need stimulation and exercise.
Read on to learn more about the top reasons your dog might suddenly seem overly attached to you.
Why Is Your Dog Overly Attached to You – Find Out
They Suffer From Separation Anxiety
Dogs experience separation anxiety when being away from their owners for a long time. Being away from you for a period that’s longer than usual can trigger your dog’s separation anxiety.
For example, if you went on a business trip for a few days and left the dog with a relative, it might become obsessed with you when you return. That will usually wear off—make sure to give it some extra love and attention.
They Have Noticed a Shift in Your Mood
Dogs are perceptive of the mood and energy of people around them, especially their owners. Your dog might become anxious if you are under a lot of stress and try to comfort you. It may also be seeking comfort from you if it feels nervous.
If you are upset, depressed, sad, anxious, stressed, or in pain, your dog might become concerned and seem obsessed with you. Hopefully, that makes you feel fantastic – it shows how close your dog is to you, how much it cares about you, and how in tune it is with your emotions.
It’s also not uncommon for dogs to become obsessed with their owners when their owners are pregnant. When you are pregnant, you give off new pheromones. Dogs can sense that, and they will want to be close to you. Your dog may also try to show you that it is protective and caring.
Some dogs may also be able to sense when you are on your period and become overly protective, curious, or obsessed during those times.
Something Scared Them
Your dog might also be obsessed with being close to you if something frightened them and made them anxious. If there is construction going on outside, it could terrify a dog not accustomed to such noise. Your dog might also be fearful if it is in a new environment, such as if you’re traveling with it to a new city.
Your dog can even become scared if a new friend visits, especially if they bring their dog. Usually, you can relieve your dog’s social anxiety by slowly but surely introducing them to new people and animals.
They Are Bored and Needs Stimulation
All dogs need stimulation – some more than others. While some dogs are happy to sit around all day and do nothing, others need room to run around, toys to play with, and things to interest them.
If your dog falls into the latter category and is not getting the stimulation it needs, it might start acting up. Your dog might seek attention and signal that it needs to get out. Taking it on a walk will usually solve the issue, but you might also want to consider long-term solutions, such as buying more toys.
Your Dog Is in Pain or Sick
Your dog might be seeking attention from you because it’s trying to tell you something. Any behavior that is out of the ordinary may point to sickness, illness, or sudden pain. Perhaps your dog is experiencing stomach issues, or maybe they have joint pain.
Usually, there will be other signs pointing to the fact that your dog is sick. For example, they might lose their appetite and refuse to eat if they have stomach issues. If they have joint pain, they might refuse to go on their daily walk or move around much in general. If you notice other unusual behaviors, consider taking your dog to a vet to check it out.
Your Dog Has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or dementia, is common among older dogs. As your dog ages, it is more likely to suffer from dementia and memory loss. Your dog may suffer from separation anxiety and be excessively clingy. They might forget that you have been with them the entire day.
Your dog may suffer from Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome if they are old. You can also take it to a vet so they can accurately diagnose them. If your dog has dementia, giving them the care and love they need and deserve is essential.
They Are in Heat
If your female dog is in heat, she may become obsessive and clingy. If male dogs are around, your dog may chase after them and try to get them to pay attention to her. However, if no other dogs are around, she may act extra clingy around you. Your dog will likely return to normal once her heat cycle has passed.
Final Thoughts
If your dog is overly obsessive, look for clues about what might trigger the behavior. It could be separation anxiety, sickness, something that frightened them, or a shift in your mood.
