Does Your Doodle Follow You About the House?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Tara is the first dog that I have had that does not follow me when I move about the house. She will just stay in the living area sleeping or chewing her bullystick. I think she keeps track of me with her hearing though because once in a while if I am doing something "different" she will show up to check things out.

This in a way makes me feel unloved by her!  Why doesn't she WANT to be with me every moment and shower me with adoration like my other dogs did in the past? Sometimes I see posts like this in regard to rescue dogs (Goofy in this case!) and I wonder why those dogs love complete strangers more than my own dog loves me:

"He is a total love....Wants to be near us at all times and will sit in your lap if you let him....Puts that big paw on you when he wants attention and wants to be as close to your face as possible when he is being loved on.."

Recently the issue of our doodles touching us and always needing to be near us has been raised in the training group. Now I am beginning to see Tara's behavior in a different light and wonder if what she does is actually a sign of her being "balanced". That it may just be "normal" dog behavior. I'm not sure.

Tara likes to snuggle and sit on my lap but it is almost always at my instigation.  Once in a while she will ask to get up on a chair or the couch with me. So it's not like she is a cold fish or anything. We get our loves in but it is mainly the fact that she doesn't stay with me every moment that has me curious.

What does your doodle do and how do you interpret it?

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy used to follow me everywhere, this last year not so much although he is more than willing to oblige with a snuggle if there is some ear scratching involved. The funniest thing he does now is that if I sit on the floor for some reason he comes over and sits in my lap. He will stay there until I make him move. I think they are just well adjusted and becoming more independant. Our little babies are growing up.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

LOL!  Quincy the lap dog!! We need a picture of that! I think they do get more independent as they age and realize they can trust us not to slip out without them!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have three and while one is usually where ever I am, the others will come and go--if they have a bone to chew and a nice comfy bed to lie on in the other room, they will go do that for a while. But they always know where I am and come running if they hear me moving to a new spot. I think this is a good thing--they are balanced in that they love us, but they are not that needy. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I've had dogs in the past that followed me everywhere and two of them had separation anxiety which was no fun at all to deal with.  Riley is very balanced and doesn't follow me everywhere though he is totally lovable, he periodically comes over for cuddles and has a goodnight and a morning cuddle on the bed every evening and morning.  During the day he goes into the lounge onto his favorite couch or goes to his crate.  If I go to another room he doesn't follow.  If I take him to someone else's house as I did today and had to go to the car to get something he waited by the door for me to come back  though no whining or drama, just a calm 'where's my mom?"  I love the fact that he does his own thing and is well adjusted and calm.  He is everything I could have wished for and more.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Nicky some of my past dogs that I spoke of had separation anxiety too. It's NOT good. I guess I need to stop being so needy! :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

My two wander in and out of rooms I'm in. They seem to always be within earshot or sight of me. Murphy is more aloof and doesn't come up for hugs and snuggles unless invited, and always has been what seems to be a respectful manner to our space. We didn't teach him this as I wanted a snugly dog. But put him too close on couch and bed and he'd move. He has gotten much more responsive to this as he's gotten older however. Maybe he's learning from Bella, cus she is an "in your face" kinda girl, and if there is a free hand to be had it needs to be rubbing her, or she will remind you post haste where that hand belongs, leaving no doubt either.
Bella is more with me from room to room though, but she's an opportunist and if I am near food, or anywhere that there could be food ...she is close by.
I just love having their company throughout the day and I never feel alone, which is such a nice feeling. I wish I had a dog all those years DH was a firefighter and had to sleep alone 2-3 times a week while he was away for 24 hour shifts. Who knew they would be so comforting? Not me.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sue, I think that I got that feeling of comfort having a dog very  near me all the time too. Which is why I miss it now. Maybe part of it is just temperament since Murphy and Bella are so different yet were raised the same way.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have a book on living with dogs that says "Anxious dogs are often created, not born. When dogs are off playing by themselves, dozing in their beds, or chewing a bone in another room, this is a good thing: you have a secure dog."

So by that definition, I would say Tara is "well-balanced". Or at least a secure, "not anxious" dog.

I have noticed that since JD has been sick, he wants to be near me much more. He used to be the dog described above; when I was busy here at the computer, he was usually somewhere else in the house. Lately, he is lying here on the floor near enough to me that I cannot easily get up from my desk without stepping on him. If this was the way he had always been, wanting to be near me, I probably would have thought it was great. "He loves me so much, he wants to be near me." Now it makes me feel sad, because I know it has something to do with his not feeling well and neediness or insecurity.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Karen, I agree, the fact that Jack feels he needs to be so near you at the moment is sad...poor doodle is obviously not feeling well.  I do hope he will be happy to be in another room again very soon.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think this requires a totally different mindset on my part and a better understanding of dog behaviors. I do like the thought of Tara not being anxious and maybe even "well-balanced" because it is so much better for her.

I hope that JD is ignoring you again soon! :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What if JD thinks YOU need HIM more, and he loves you so much that he wants to help you get through all the turmoil that came with your worry about his sickness?  I have no idea....just considering the possibility.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

That's an interesting approach Jane. And there could certainly be truth to it knowing how sensitive these doods can be!