Clingy Labrador

[Modestandatinybitsexy]

We have an 11 month Labrador, we got him when I was 5 months pregnant and starting to slow down at work. We worked out a rota to make sure he was never left too long alone but he did well alone and was never too anxious.

I'm now home almost constantly and we spend a lot of time together. Recently he's started acting out when left home alone and even whining when I pop upstairs for any reason.

He's gone from happily spending time in the other room to wanting to sit on the sofa/on top of us all the time.

Is there anything I can do to discourage the whining and limpet behaviour?

My 14 month old had gone through periods where he has been extra clingy and things such as going on holiday or more recently having to stay at the vets has made him worse. I find that it helps to leave them for short periods even when you don't actually need to so they get used to be on their own otherwise it becomes a big thing.

Recently he's started acting out when left home alone. What has he been doing when you have left him?

He's always been a chewer and has destroyed a puppy bed when younger, and more recently a sofa. Now we've got a baby gate so he's shut in the kitchen when I go out and he destroyed the pillow he had to lay on so now all he has in there is his toys, water bowl and a kong. I also leave the radio on and make sure he's walked if I can.

He's not really interested in indestructible toys. He managed to chew through the rubber kong and now only has the rotating one which is also slowly being eroded.

He'll be getting new toys for Christmas, I'm watching the indestructible toy thread with interest!

Could you try and build up leaving him for short periods so he doesn't get anxious when you have to leave him for longer. How long is he alone when you do have to leave him?

I got a camera to watch my dog on my phone and was able to pin point things that were causing him anxiety (he can no longer see into the garden as something was bothering him out there, no idea what but he was upset looking out of the window).

He probably gets upset looking out of the window because he wants to go out.....Labradors need good walks everyday

As he’s still only a baby I’d say that hopefully it’s just a phase and he might grow out of it. The only thing I can suggest is going back to basics with the separation.

My Labrador isn’t exactly clingy but I think he is anxious. He gets ridiculously excited whenever I come home or get up in the morning. He doesn’t like raised voices and will slink out of the room if you so much as call someone a bit loudly. He practically runs away if anyone shouts. He’s such a touchy sod. He’s not quite three yet, I’m hoping that he might still calm down.

"I also leave the radio on and make sure he's walked if I can"

How often is he being walked, and for how long? On or off lead?

He needs more walks to tire him out. If finances allow, get a dog walker?