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When Your Older Dog Gets Too Clingy. Share this article: Your once-independent doggie is suddenly acting attention-starved and won't leave your side. If he is losing his hearing or sight, which is common in older dogs, this could be making him feel much more dependent on you and anxious when you leave him.
Similarly, you may ask, what does it mean when your dog wont leave your side?
A clingy dog stays abnormally physically close to his human companion, showing signs of distress when not in the same room with the person. The dog may refuse to leave the human's side, watch their every move, and whine, bark, and attempt to follow the person when they are physically separated.
Keeping this in consideration, why is my dog so clingy all of a sudden?
Some dogs and cats become very clingy just before they give birth or during the birth. Take it as a compliment and a sign of how comfortable your pet is with you. Conversely, a pet that is usually clingy and suddenly becomes withdrawn is also a sign that something is amiss.
“If every time you are with your dog, he gets affection or treats, he's likely to [follow you around] more often,” Dr. Barrack says. Because dogs respond to their owners' behavior, it's important to examine your relationship with your canine.