The Rottweiler is known to be fiercely loyal, which can lead them to be quite clingy at times. However, this doesn’t have to be a big problem. There are many techniques to get them happy and healthy on their own.
A Rottweiler can become clingy when they are either bored or seeking attention or are mistreated as puppies. The goal when treating clinginess is to get your Rottweiler to feel secure and independent on their own so they don’t feel completely dependent on you.
There’s a decent gap between loyal and full-on separation anxiety, which is the difference between a happy guard dog and a panicking one. So, we’re going to look at signs of over-clinginess in your Rottweiler and how to deal with them.
What are the Signs that a Rottweiler is Clingy?
Some signs of a clingy Rottweiler include:
- Staying very close or touching you as often as possible.
- Showing signs of distress when put in a separate room.
- Refusing to leave your side when appropriate.
Any indication that they wish to be with you at all times is a sign of their clinginess.
Why do Rottweilers Become Clingy?
There are quite a few reasons your Rottweiler can become clingy:
- Boredom. Sometimes a dog becomes clingy out of feeling a lack of stimulation and exercise. They are seeking attention so that they have something to do.
- Attention. Sometimes, a dog might lack attention overall, especially if its owner is away often. During the times their owner is home, they may try to compensate by clinging to them.
- Mistreatment when young. Sometimes, previous owners mistreat dogs when they are young. As a result, they can become overly dependent on their new owner.
- Reinforcement. Finally, dogs can also become clingy if the behavior is reinforced too much. If all their good stimulations come from being with their owner, they will tend to cling to them to continue to get them.
“Rottweilers were bred to be guard dogs, so they may feel the need to protect their families.“
A Rottweiler’s instinct to protect the family is different from clinginess. As guard dogs, they want to position themselves to protect their owners, which usually means they have you within line of sight or will at least try to check on where you are regularly.
This is entirely normal behavior for a guard dog and is generally an indication they are just trying to do their job.
Rottweilers Need Attention and Love.
Rottweilers can also feel a lack of attention when they are left alone for long periods. If you need to leave them alone often, it can be helpful to get a companion dog. You can also spend a lot of time and love with them when you are home to show them you care.
However, it can be a tricky balance, as too much love and attention can make your Rottweiler more clingy to you.
The important part is for them to learn that they can take care of most of their mental and physical needs themselves and that they don’t need to be worried you’ll leave them.
They May be Suffering from Separation Anxiety
Frustratingly, giving too much love and attention can lead to separation anxiety, making clinginess one of the trickiest things to deal with in dogs.
A Rottweiler will tend to bark and yelp when left alone if they are suffering from separation anxiety. They can also get destructive or otherwise act in a panic.
In their minds, they are unsure if you are returning and don’t know how to take care of themselves without you. This leads them to a sense of desperation, which is not a fun mental state to be in.
How Can I Make my Rottie Less Clingy?
One simple trick is to practice leaving and coming back in short intervals, so your Rottie knows you will consistently come back.
They are clingy because they don’t feel secure that you will be around to take care of them. This can happen when you’re their sole caretaker and source of all their needs.
It helps to break up who walks, plays with, and feeds the dog if there are more people in the household.
Provide your Rottie with Plenty of Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Other methods to help deal with clinginess includes giving your Rottweiler a ton of exercise so that they feel satisfied with your time together and providing them with lots of things to stimulate their minds.
There are quite a few toys that can help with this. A popular choice is the Kong, a toy you can place treats in that takes your dog a lot of effort to get out.
Another way is by letting your dog explore and sniff around a lot while on their walks. Smells are a huge source of stimulation for dogs, and the more they get to explore, the less bored and restless they’ll be at home.
Promote Positive Reinforcement
It’s essential to promote moments where your dog is behaving correctly. This is what positive reinforcement through rewards is all about.
You want to balance positive reinforcement with the dog’s own sense of independence so that they don’t feel dependent on you for approval and their sense of well-being completely.
Avoid Negative Reinforcement
By mixing positive and negative reinforcement, dogs can become confused and more anxious, leading to further clinginess and separation anxiety because they don’t want to displease their owner.
So avoid using negative reinforcement altogether to help them stay focused.
When to Seek Professional Advice
When clinginess manifests as full separation anxiety, it may be time to seek professional help.
Separation anxiety becomes a problem when your dog acts in destructive or unhealthy behavior for long periods. For example, constant whining, pacing, chewing, urinating, or defecating.
These are all indications of panic in the dog’s mind and will hurt its mental well-being over time. A good vet will help you figure out a behavioral modification plan to reduce their separation anxiety over time.
Other Tips for caring for a Clingy Rottweiler
- Find activities that will keep your Rottweiler occupied while you’re gone. For example, you can give them puzzle toys or other activities.
- A helpful one is to give your dog some time away from you to learn to occupy its time independently. This can be playdates with other dogs, time spent with other family members, or just in its crate.
- If your Rottweiler is genuinely having difficulty staying busy, consider adopting another pet for them to play with. Dogs are social animals that need companionship too. It’ll also give them outlets for their energy besides their owner.
- If you know you will be away for a while, you can spend extra time with your Rottweiler by playing games together, taking walks, etc. which will tire them out when you are away.
Final thoughts
A clingy Rottweiler can sometimes result in separation anxiety, which can make it hard to figure out a plan of action to get them to feel confident and independent.
Follow our tips and tricks to recognize the signs of clinginess and how to help your dog out of them.
Remember, the main reason for clinginess is a lack of stimulation and a feeling of security outside of their relationship with you. The more you can build that independent spirit, the more secure your Rottie will feel on its own.
