Cavaliers are sociable and owner-oriented, which makes them fabulous companions for people of all ages and lifestyles.
Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are clingy, needy dogs. As a breed, they were developed primarily for companionship, so they are attuned to the owner. It is important to discern if your Cavalier is just characteristically clingy or if the dog suffers from anxiety, stress, or illness.
Consider the breed’s background to appreciate the reasons for these pups’ velcro behaviors.
TRAITS THAT PREDISPOSE CAVALIERS TO BE CLINGY
Cavaliers are Companion Dogs
Being attuned to the owner is a strength of this breed.
These dogs were bred to be lappets and companions long before they were granted the designation of a distinctive breed of dogs. Although Cavaliers did have some hunting and retrieving responsibilities during the times they were only emerging as a breed in the British Isles, their primary role was to provide companionship. The sweet disposition and interactive personalities were among the characteristics that were selected by breeders of these dogs.
In other words, due to their genetics Cavaliers are more inclined to be people-oriented and clingy than other breeds of dogs. Of course, other factors are also involved, both innate and environmental.
Cavaliers Are Quite Intelligent, So They Need Cognitive Stimulation
The working intelligence of Cavaliers is categorized as average. Although it may not sound outstanding, it is a good level of intelligence for dogs.
Dogs of this breed are not as difficult to keep occupied as some very smart herding and working dogs, such as border collies or Shelties, but Cavaliers are still bright enough to need plenty of mental stimulation. Many Cavaliers may be clingy because they crave interaction and cognitive stimulation to keep their minds engaged.
Conditioning By The Owner
When you have a dog who is already genetically predisposed to being an always-by-your-side companion, the way you treat your pet could contribute to his clingy behavior. In other words, we often reward our pet’s clinginess.
A velcro dog is sweet and even therapeutic to the owner because the pet acts like an adoring and adorable best friend. We praise such pups verbally and give them treats. We let our beloved dogs sleep in our beds and take them almost everywhere.
All those are normal and fine behaviors of dog parents, without a doubt. When the dog does, however, become excessively clingy and dependent, then it is good to become aware of the things we do that further condition the dog to be needy.
OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CLINGY BEHAVIOR
Separation Anxiety
It is important to differentiate anxiety, separation anxiety in particular, from velcro behavior that is so typical for Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
If your Cavalier is just characteristically clingy, the dog should not go into a panicky state when you are away. If your dog becomes visibly agitated and anxious every time you pick up your keys or your coat or if your pet does some damage around the house when home alone, your pet could be suffering from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a rather common problem for Cavaliers and other social, attuned-to-owner breeds of dogs.
Stress
Your dog can become excessively clingy due to a specific stressor, such as illness, pain, moving to a new house, or the presence of a new pet in your household. Any change could lead to stress and trigger atypical behaviors in household pets.
If you suspect that your Cavalier’s behavior is a stress reaction, your pet may just need some time to get used to the change. Dogs love routines, so it may take a long time.
A way to address stress due to a change in the environment is to provide your dog with activities, and physical exercise, and make sure that he/she continues to eat and drink water properly. Most pets adjust eventually, and Cavaliers in particular tend to be so focused on the owner that getting used to a new setting is just a matter of time.
Illness Or Pain
Acute pain or illness is a common stressor and trigger of clingy behavior in dogs, regardless of the breed. Usually, however, there is more than just clinginess associated with an illness or pain.
Your pet could be tired, lethargic, or unwilling to eat or drink water. If you notice any of those changes, you should have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian. A common cause of pain in Cavaliers, for example, is arthritis or hip dysplasia. Many dogs of this breed will refuse to engage in playing or will even lose their appetite if their joints are achy.
HOW TO HELP THE DOG BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT
Teach Commands
Teach your Cavalier some commands, such as “stay”. Have your dog stay in a certain comfortable area when you are in another part of your home. Increase the times that you ask your pet to “stay” farther from you than she prefers, without causing your furry friend much distress of course.
You could also train your pup to sleep in his doggy bed rather than in your bed, and this arrangement could help your clingy Cavalier get comfortable being at a distance more regularly.
Provide Opportunities For Exercise
Physical activity is a universal solution for so many issues, frankly, not just for dogs.
Dogs do become more content and simply tired when they are physically active. Among other issues, exercise could resolve excessive clinginess.
So, for many reasons, offer your pet plenty of opportunities for physical activity, as long as he tolerates it well. Cavaliers as a breed are typically pretty content with even a moderate amount of exercise, so your dog is not likely to need all that much to become tired and happy.
Provide Toys And Activities To Prevent Boredom
Cavaliers are dogs with average working intelligence but they are bright enough to need a good amount of mental stimulation. In addition, they are very interactive and social, so just their temperament implies providing games and toys to keep them occupied.
Allow your Cavalier an opportunity to play whenever possible. If you have kids in your household, both the kids and the dog are lucky to have each other! Cavaliers are an excellent breed for children, and children are fabulous at preventing Cavaliers from becoming bored.
Cavaliers are bright, so offer a variety of toys and puzzles for smart dogs to keep them busy and curious. A busy pet is less likely to need you all the time. If you let your Cavalier get treats from treat-dispensing puzzle toys, be mindful of how much your pet consumes that way, since Cavaliers are prone to excessive weight gain.
Companionship Of Fellow Dogs Or Cats
Cavaliers are highly social and really friendly dogs. A way to keep them happy and more independent is to allow them to have companionship with another pet if that is an option for your household.
Certainly, keeping Cavaliers in pairs or larger groups is an amazing way to keep both dogs happy and more self-sufficient. Even if you have a dog of another breed or a friendly cat, your Cavalier will likely benefit from their company. Cavaliers are very cat-friendly and are some of the best breeds to keep with other friendly animals in the household.
Related Questions:
Are Cavaliers High Maintenance?
Cavaliers are relatively high-maintenance dogs. These pets need regular grooming routines and they are prone to several serious health issues. They are quite expensive to keep, given how small these pups are. Cavaliers do not tolerate being alone and like attention. On the other hand, Cavaliers respond well to training and get along beautifully with other animals and people.
As a rule, Cavaliers are pretty easy to train. They are bright, enthusiastic, and friendly. These dogs are also very people-oriented, which contributes to their learning potential. Positive reinforcement and repetition allow Cavaliers to learn new skills and adapt very well to new circumstances.
