My Dog Follows Me Everywhere
Question:
3 weeks ago I took in a Min Pin Pup, 7 mons. I am the 3rd “people” for this dog. From what I have heard he spend most of his time in a crate. Now he’s pretty much out unless I have to go out or he really needs to nap. There is my 21 yr old granddaughter and I in this house. Spud seems to have latched onto me and doesn’t want me out of his sight. He follows me everywhere. If he had his way he’d be on my lap or at my feet 24/7.
Trying to get out of the house is getting to be a nightmare. How do we handle this separation fear this dog has?
Linda
ANSWER:
Hello Linda,
True separation anxiety is characterized by anorexia when the dog is left alone, chewing, and destroying property such as couches, eating wood, etc as well as chewing at himself and other obsessive compulsive behaviors.
You stated that your Mini Pin has had three previous guardians before you. The poor dog wants to have a forever home and sees you as the protector and the one to provide the forever home. Give him time, he needs to build trust and know that he will not be sent elsewhere.
You can build trust by doing some fun things with him. Go for long walks, do agility (yes Mini Pins can do agility) teach him to fetch and play ball. Do some trust building things as I have suggested.
The other thing, you say leaving is horrible. I suggest that you not make a fuss when leaving, don’t “love him up” before you leave. Fill a Kong with peanut butter or other treats put it down, just leave. When you come home ignore your dog for a few minutes then play with him. This will show him that you can leave and come back and nothing bad will happen, you will still be there and he has not been re-homed yet again.
Hope this helps.
Nancy Tobis
Outside of the dog world, Nancy has both a Bachelor of Social Work and Masters degree in Criminology, which led her to become a correctional social worker. For over 30 years, she has been a practicing social worker, working in Children’s Services and Corrections.
“In 2004, I decided to go to the IPDTA conference just to see what it was about. It was amazing, all these dog trainers talking about using operant conditioning,” exclaims Nancy. “I decided that I wanted to be part of that world. The amazing journey of becoming a positive dog trainer had begun. I am still on this new adventure and learning more every day. I did not realize there was so much information and theory to learn about canine behavior and emotions. My social work background has helped immensely as much of the theory I learned at university about human emotions applies aptly to dogs.”
The Good Dog Blog welcomes Nancy and her background in both dog-training as well canine nutrition. To learn more about Nancy, visit her website, Devoted to Dogs and her Devoted to Dogs Blog.
Go ahead and ask us! Click the button below.
Using a Kong when leaving is good advice. It really worked for our dog. When we got her from the shelter she had a lot of separation anxiety. She would try to run out the door whenever we left – and she was very good at it. There was no way to ignore her and leave calmly because she would be forcing her way between our legs. Now we have a routine. When it is time to leave we tell her “place”, she sits on her rug on the opposite side of the room from the door, she does a trick like “wave” and gets a Kong with treats. Then we leave. It also helps her with her anxiety leading up to leaving. If she knows we are about to leave, she just goes and sits on her place and waits rather than running around and getting worked up.
Those are some great tips. I have a minipin too and she is learning a lot, but still doesn’t come back when called if outside and running freely. Any ideas?
p.s. Definitely a full of energy breed, she is like a little horse!