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Undefinabl3 posted 2/21/2014 11:11 AM

So, in the last few weeks, my male dog has become very attached to me.

I am trying to figure out where this is coming from, but to be honest, i am coming up blank.

He goes where I go, no matter what (and for a dane, that's hard sometimes LOL) If i am in the bathroom, he's outside the door. When i am in the kitchen, he's right there. I go to bed first, and have started to leave the door open because if not he will nose it and make so much noise it's just easier to let him lay in there until DH comes to bed. Then, he will just sleep right outside the door.

This is new behavior.

Now, I have started on meds for my thyroid, but that's been months now - so you would think that if this was because of it, that he would have started acting this way months ago.

Even DH commented on it the other night. I just shrugged not knowing what to say.

As far as the dog goes, I can't see anything wrong. I know that before he was battling yeast infection in his ear that spread - but now its all gone.....maybe he's just happy that we helped him? but then why stick to me?

its just odd...

Lucky2HaveMe posted 2/21/2014 11:18 AM

How old is he? My dd's dogs have done this since they were pups! One was a rescue, so I assume he needs reassurance, but the boxer was adopted from a breeder and I think he is just nosy and afraid he will miss something.

On the occasions I dog sit, it is annoying to always have 2 dogs follow you everywhere!

Crescita posted 2/21/2014 12:07 PM

My aloof shelter kitty got super clingy after she recovered from an Upper Respiratory Infection. She has gotten even clingier with age.

My other cat was aloof until S/D. Now she won't leave me alone. Pets can sense stress so if you are worried about anything at all, maybe that is a factor.

[This message edited by Crescita at 12:09 PM, February 21st (Friday)]

Undefinabl3 posted 2/21/2014 12:19 PM

Lucky, he's 4 - so really not a puppy (for a dane).

And while he's always been a big lover - he's never been clingy. He's clingy now.

I have been having a really hard time with finding a balance with this stupid thyroid issue that popped up out of the blue, but i am not 'sick' per say. I have had to switch dosage twice now, so I have moments where i can tell the dosage was off, but been fine otherwise.

metamorphisis posted 2/21/2014 12:30 PM

I don't really have any advice. I find I have a hard time figuring out my lab pup too. He is definitely my shadow. If I get up, he'll wake from a dead sleep to follow me. I think it's because I give all the treats though.

Afraid2LoveAgain posted 2/21/2014 12:53 PM

My Collie takes every step I do--always has. I guess it just seems like normal behavior to me.

She's been with me since she was 8 weeks old. I don't think I remember how to shower or take a bath alone. :)

JanaGreen posted 2/21/2014 13:07 PM

I hope I'm not asking an awkward question, but could you be pregnant?

My cats were attached to me like glue when I was pregnant with DD.

GabyBaby posted 2/21/2014 13:08 PM

Our newest "pup" (2yr old Pomeranian) clings to me as well. I've actually nearly stepped on him a couple of times coming out of the shower. He parks himself right under the basin.
In his case, I think its because after going so long without any real attention, he needs to be in constant contact. I can't say I'm unhappy that I seem to be his favorite human.

tushnurse posted 2/21/2014 14:27 PM

I had a golden that was my dog. Whereever I was he was right there next to me, I mean annoyingly so, the toilet was the petting chair, and I can't tell you how many times I stepped on his feet and tail because he would litteraly lay under my feet when I worked in the kitchen, he slept on the floor right next to my side of the bed too, always. My dane followed me loosely, mainly kept me in her line of site.

I know that they can tell when we are unwell, and watch over us. My lab can tell me when my kid has an ear infection before I know....they just know. I am guessing with your thyroid thing he feels the need to keep a closer eye on you.
Remember their sense of smell is a bazillion times stronger than ours, so if your scent is off he's gonna watch over you. If he is Alpha in anyway, then he may be obnoxious about it.
If you are certain there is nothing going on with him healthwise, then see if he becomes less clingy as you get balanced out.

Undefinabl3 posted 2/21/2014 14:36 PM

I hope I'm not asking an awkward question, but could you be pregnant?

I hope not LOL...i got a tubal about 3 years ago - so far so good.

Tush - He's not the Alpha at all, our famale rules over him LOL.

It's possible that the recent up and down of my TSH has him all weird. I just figured that he would be this clingy since the start.

The upside is that there is nothing like 150 pound protector that is the biggest lovey ever.

mainlyinpain posted 2/21/2014 14:50 PM

Undef, could there be something new wrong with him?
My niece's dog is battling cancer and won't leave her side. She says he wasn't like this before. Maybe HE doesn't feel good and being closer to you makes him feel better.

Dreamboat posted 2/21/2014 15:04 PM

Have there been any changes around the house? Having any work down on the house or had any repairmen in the house or even moved furniture around? My dogs are more clingy when there is a change in the house until they get used to it.

Also changes in TSH can modify your metabolism and change how much you sweat and thus how you smell. Maybe he senses that.

Or maybe the alpha is picking on him when you are not looking

Kalleigh posted 2/21/2014 15:08 PM

my lab has always been like this where I am she has to be. My husband commented on it too, when we had our Westie she was the same way.

purplejacket4 posted 2/21/2014 15:40 PM

Well, my 11 month old lab puppy stood in the shower with me last night getting soaked... sigh. He is such a titty baby. He cries when I shut the shower door and the other lab doesn't respect a closed bathroom door.

So black lab 1 (Katie) is fWS shadow and black lab 2 (Mac) is my shadow. The shelties look disdainful (Connor and Duncan)like they think the labs are just big suck ups.

GabyBaby posted 2/21/2014 15:47 PM

Well, my 11 month old lab puppy stood in the shower with me last night getting soaked... sigh. He is such a titty baby.

Sad in AZ posted 2/21/2014 15:56 PM

he's 4 - so really not a puppy (for a dane).

Actually, the giant breeds mature very slowly (yet sadly live much shorter lives) they are puppies until they are 3, so 4 is basically a teen.

My experience with giants is with mastiffs, and they are huge babies and essentially lap dogs. Different breeds exhibit unusual behaviors. I found out recently that corgis cannot stand to have their 'flock' (family) in different rooms. That is why my Tigger always went around the house barking at each of us when we were not all together (which was never ) There are great animal behavior books out there. You should do some reading. I love Temple Grandin, but I don't know if she ever addressed this kind of domestic behavior.

GabyBaby posted 2/21/2014 16:01 PM

I found out recently that corgis cannot stand to have their 'flock' (family) in different rooms. That is why my Tigger always went around the house barking at each of us when we were not all together (which was never )

metamorphisis posted 2/21/2014 17:14 PM

Yep pj.. I posted this for the staff the other day. This is what happens if I leave the bathroom door open. He gets in before any of us can and waits for us to turn it on. He's 9 months.

tushnurse posted 2/21/2014 20:09 PM

Lol labs. What can ya say. labs are awesome. That's it. They are just awesome. I love mine and I gotta say she is the smartest or second smartest dog I've owned.

Mine loves the water. She got in showers with us until she was at least a year old and loves loves to be on water and swim.

I do know Danes are different than labs and tend to be more alOof and too lazy to be in your face all the time. Make sure he is well and that he isn't starving. And then chalk it up to your hormonal issues. Thyroid is a hormone and is known to effect out chemistry and thus our scent.

[This message edited by tushnurse at 8:14 PM, February 21st (Friday)]

tushnurse posted 2/22/2014 18:06 PM

I think my crazy lab rolled in stink on purpose, went for a long walk in the woods and she rolled several times. Her reward??? Yup a nice long bath.

Undef- I hope your baby is ok. I would take him to the vet to make sure all is well. Them chalk it up to your thyroid.