I bet you love having your German Shepherd around, since this dog is so affectionate and makes a wonderful companion for all kinds of activities. But, are some GSDs too dependent on us? Why are German Shepherds so clingy sometimes?
A German Shepherd is a kind of dog that loves to be around its humans. So, if you are looking for a real life companion, this dog is a wonderful option for you!
But, you might be surprised seeing your German Shepherd so clingy, especially if this happens all of the sudden. No matter how much this dog enjoys your company, he is normally perfectly capable of being alone, at least for a while.
Now, it seems that this dog won’t leave your side. Let’s find out a bit more on the reasons why German Shepherds become so clingy.
Why Are German Shepherds So Clingy?
Their wonderful temperaments, protectiveness, and immense love are the reasons why German Shepherds are known as one of the best family dog breeds.
But, is this family dog supposed to be so clingy? Why does this dog need your constant attention?
1. They Are Loyal And Affectionate
German Shepherds are one of the most loyal dogs you can imagine. These dogs love to take care of their owners, and are very loyal and affectionate towards them.
So, having a big guard dog like a GSD means having a canine companion that will always make sure you are perfectly safe. This will in many cases mean your dog being around you all the time.
So, since German Shepherds are so loyal and protective towards their owners, this is one reason why they could become so clingy.
Your dog might show protective instinct even in situations where you are totally safe. Therefore, having a guard dog is remarkable, but it might also mean having a clingy dog that will refuse to leave your side.
2. Lack Of Activity
German Shepherds are a type of dog that needs a lot of exercise. This can include anything you can think of – walking, jogging, hiking, swimming,…
So, a German Shepherd is happy when it is active. If this changes, your dog might show destructive behavior, or – it might become clingy.
Your German Shepherd is probably used to sharing all sorts of fun activities with you. If you have been preoccupied recently, and you have neglected your time with your dog, your German Shepherd will want to change this.
So, a clingy German Shepherd might be a bored German Shepherd. These dogs need your attention, and a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
Your dog probably won’t leave your side until you give it some kind of task or entertainment.
3. Separation Anxiety
Some dogs are good on their own, while some others do not function well when their owners are away. German Shepherd separation anxiety is not an unusual phenomenon.
Since these dogs love to be in the company of their owners, and love to take care of them, they will become unhappy if they are away from their owners for a longer period of time.
So, if you have noticed your dog follows you all around when you come home, and he seems unhappy about something, there is a big possibility your German Shepherd has separation anxiety.
This kind of behavioral problem can become very serious, so, if you think your GSD might be anxious, you should not ignore this, but rather try to find the best solution for this situation.
4. Pain
You think your German Shepherd is clingy just because it wants your attention? This might be true, but your dog also might be in pain.
Maybe your German Shepherd is hurt, or it has some underlying health issue that is causing great pain in it. Some of the most common health problems in German Shepherds are allergies, hip dysplasia, and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus.
The best way to care for your dog’s health is, of course, by taking it to regular vet check-ups. If you think your German Shepherd might be injured, you can take a look at its body to see if there are any visible wounds.
If your dog seems uncomfortable and won’t let you touch its body, you should call a veterinarian right away.
5. Change Is Not Always Good
All dogs love routine. They are happy when they know when to expect meal time, exercise time, grooming time, etc. This is why a puppy schedule is such a great thing!
So, dogs usually do not like changes. Some kind of change might be a reason why your German Shepherd suddenly becomes so clingy on you.
What change might influence your dog to not want to leave your side? Think if anything drastically changed in your life recently. Have you moved to a new place? Has your family welcomed a new member recently? Or, perhaps, you have added a new pet to your household?
All of the mentioned changes (or any other that could have happened in your home in the last period) might cause your German Shepherd to become a bit scared and confused.
When a dog feels like this, he usually finds comfort in the person he trusts the most – his owner.
Knowing how much your dog loves and believes you is really fulfilling, but having a dog that is so clingy to you might also be overwhelming.
6. Pregnancy
If you have a female German Shepherd that has not been spayed, and that has become very clingy recently, there is a possibility your dog might be pregnant.
If your dog is pregnant, there will be serious changes happening in her body and in her behavior. All of these changes might make your dog feel anxious and scared, and, once more, your dog will try to find comfort in you.
Of course, if you think there is even the slightest chance for your dog to be pregnant, you should take her to the vet right away.
If you would like to learn more about a dog’s pregnancy and its symptoms, I would recommend you to first learn more about German Shepherd first heat symptoms.
If you will be able to recognize these symptoms, this is how you will know from which moment it will be possible for your female dog to become pregnant.
7. Aging
Our favorite canine companions change a lot as they age.
Some of the most obvious symptoms your dog is getting old are the following:
• Reduced appetite
• Lack of strength
• Clinginess on their owners
• Exercise intolerance
• Dogs gets tired super quickly
So, there is a big possibility your senior German Shepherd will become clingy to you. The main reason for this is dog’s decreased ability to take care of themselves.
Many seniors’ dogs’ hearing and sight will deteriorate significantly, and they will need your help to perform the most ordinary actions, such as eating or defecating.
Therefore, a clingy German Shepherd might be a senior German Shepherd that most of all needs its owners’ understanding and comfort.
How To Make Your GSD Less Clingy?
You like having your German Shepherd around, but you also like having moments just for yourself. A clingy dog might seriously disrupt your private time, so, you want to find a perfect way to make your dog less clingy, without causing any anxiety or fear in it.
Bear in mind that a GSD is one of the smartest dogs out there – these dogs are the perfectly trainable, hard working dogs. So, even if your dog is showing any kind of unwanted behavior – clinginess in this case – there is always something you can do.
First of all, you need to find a way to always keep your German Shepherd busy. You can do this by giving your dog some additional chew and interactive toys, or by extending your daily walks.
Also, you should always make sure your GSD has enough socialization on a daily basis. If you are away from home for a good part of the day, you might want to consider hiring a pet walker.
This way, you will make sure your dog is not bored, and it will not suffer for being separated from you.
If you think a pregnancy or any kind of health problem might have caused your German Shepherd to become clingy, this is something you should not try to work out on your own.
The best thing to do in these situations is to contact a veterinarian.
Conclusion
What is the final verdict on the issue: Why are German Shepherds so clingy?
These dogs are simply so loyal and affectionate with their owners that they always want to be by their side.
Some of these dogs might become clingy when they lack activity, or when their owners leave for work.
In some cases, a German Shepherd might be clingy because it is sick, injured, or pregnant.
So, as we have seen, clinginess might mean many different things in German Shepherds. Once you find the reason for this behavior pattern in your dog, then you will be ready to find the best solution for this problem.
The ideal situation would be to have a loving and well-behaved German Shepherd that is independent enough to spend some time alone.
And, once you get back home to your dog, it will be time for all the fun activities you two love to share!