Clinginess in French Bulldogs
Does your French Bulldog follow you around the house everywhere you go? Can they not let you out of their sight?
If so, your dog might be what is called a velcro dog.
Velcro dogs, or “Velcro Dog Syndrome” is just another way to say that your dog is very clingy to the point where it has become a problem.
Clingy dogs, sometimes called velcro dogs, follow their owners everywhere they go. This behavior is also called Velcro Dog Syndrome. It’s impo
Just as Frenchies are prone to separation anxiety, they also commonly exhibit clingy behavior. They really love their owners! French Bulldogs have been selectively bred to be dependent on their owners.
What Causes Clinginess in French Bulldogs?
- Illness
- Stress
- Boredom
- Lack of mental stimulation
Separation Anxiety vs. Velcro Dog Syndrome
Velcro Dog Syndrome is often confused with separation anxiety because of their similarities, however, there are a few key differences. Clingy dogs are more likely to develop separation anxiety.
While you may think this clingy behavior is cute and loving, it may be caused by emotional or physical distress. A sudden onset of clinginess may mean something health-related is going on; check with your vet.
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety
- Pacing
- Barking
- Trying to escape
- Peeing or pooping in the house
- Anxiety and uncharacteristic behavior
- Destroying things when their owner isn’t around
Symptoms of Velcro Dog Syndrome
- Always keeping an eye on you
- Wanting to be as close as possible to you as often as possible
- Following their owner everywhere they go, never leaving their side
- Never wants to be alone, especially when other people like friends are around
- Waiting to see when you might be getting up to go to another room or leave the house
How can I prevent my French Bulldog from being Clingy?
Fortunately, there are few things you can do to prevent your Frenchie’s clinginess from developing or getting worse.
- Daily exercise
- Practice leaving your Frenchie alone for longer and longer durations of time so that they can get used to you being gone.
- Give them a Kong treat or bully stick to keep them mentally stimulated. Tricky toys will do the trick too! Look for interactive toys!
Try these Treats & Toys
If you’re going to be leaving your Frenchie alone for just a little bit, you can try giving them a stuff-able KONG toy to keep them busy.
Available in fox, raccoon, and squirrel characters
Perfect for tug-of-war between you or with other dogs
Super-tough— Frenchies' jaws are no match for this toy
A classic toy that is a must-have for every Frenchie.
Fill it up with kibble, peanut butter, or any other snack you can find— or just keep it as-is.
Not to mention, it's also great for...
- Barking
- Boredom
- Crate training
- Separation anxiety
- Teething & chewing
- Weight management
Another tip I use when I want my Frenchie to leave me alone for a bit, is I’ll usually give her a bully stick, which will keep her busy while I finish doing whatever it is that I’m doing.
Just don’t leave them with a bully stick unattended as they can become a choking hazard when they get too small.
