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?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ha Ha!!! Nothing dysfunctional about THAT relationship!!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

OMD! Consider yourself somewhat lucky! Do you know how many times we have tripped on Myla, dropped something on her or by her (usually the remote) etc. because she is ALWAYS under foot and if me move her eyes pop open and she jumps off the couch to follow us, yes even in the bathroom! Chloe not as much unless she thinks there's treats involved. Chloe will put herself to bed at 7pm and go lay under our bed. Not Myla, she's right there on top of you licking your face or snuggled between your legs. Just now she jumped on my lap at the computer desk! If you try to walk in another room and she's in front of you she will walk backwards in front of you! IT"S CRAZY!!!!!! Myla does not want to be alone if we are around.

So if Tara comes to you when you want her too that's fine right?????

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Yeah, Tara comes when I want a snuggle and she often asks to get on a chair or the couch with me. So we get lots of cuddle time in. But I am just not used to not being followed because I have been followed by a dog for more years than I care to tell you! LOL!  It is just really different and is taking some getting used to.

Myla is such a character!  I just love that girl!

[Pat and Traveler]

Trav is like Tara--he won't follow me from room to room, unless he detects that there's the possibility of a treat or walk involved!  I often end up in my room for reading, TV watching or doing computer stuff, and he spends most of time in there with me.  I'd say 98% of the time he's no more than 10' away from me, and the first thing I look for when I wake up in the morning is that rumpled pile of brown fur, which is always on the bed, even if he chose to sleep on the floor or in his crate for part of the night.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Pat it sounds like you and Trav have a good system. I think I just need to get over my desire to be adored! :)

[Pat and Traveler]

LOL, Ricki---get over your wish to be adored???!!!!  Impossible, Chica!!