:confused: I need advise as to what to do about my 10 month old female Havanese puppy who is constantly following me around the home. She very seldom gets interested in her toys when along and if I'm sitting watching TV she has to be by me laying by my feet most of the time. That really doesn't bother me, but when I'm downstairs on the computer, she'll sit at the top of the stairs and sleep until I come up. She is definitely VELCRO!! Well she outgrow this or is there something I can do to help her with this?

Please advise! I only have the one puppy.

Thank you,

sewmeup, I know this is a rather irksome quality to you, but do you realise how many people try to train their dogs to stay next to them and can't quite do it? So, you must be doing something right for your dog to love you as much as she does! :)

I know you said that you only have one puppy. Are there any other people or animals in the house or is it just the two of you?

Labman, our resident expert will be by to explain further, I am sure. But to put it simply for now, dogs are pack animals. They are not loners. They need to be around the people and other animals they view as their packs. You are your dogs pack. And, if there are other people or animals around, it is very clear to your puppy that you are the leader. As I said, you may be irked, but you have done a great job of establishing your rank in the pack. You should be really proud of yourself. She is patiently waiting for your next move. It may be annoying, but she is perfectly content waiting for you.

Anyway, as I said, labman will be by at some point. He is much better at explaining these things than I am.

If it has recently increased, she hasn't been spayed, or had her season, it could be one of the first signs. Often they become quite clingy in their season. Afterwards, they can be quite independent. I have had them get up and go lay down in their crate when I was petting them. If so, I advise getting her spayed before she is far enough along the vet will want to put it off until afterwards. It can be a big hassle, the mess, the flaky behavior, creative, strenuous attempts to get loose, male dogs hanging around, etc.

Some dogs are just more needy than others. Goldens are frequently like that. I am not familiar with the Havanese. No sense repeating what RPB said.

She was spayed when she was 6 months old, so that's not the problem.

It is appalling how many questions I see from people that don't take that responsible step. Thank you for doing so.

As I said, some dogs are just very needy. We are keeping a 5 year old male Lab this week. Ever since our friend has had him, we all joke about him really being a Golden in a Lab skin. He frequently comes and nuzzles his head under my elbow while I am trying to type.

This sounds normal to me. Dogs seek companionship, or at least that's what I believe. Is it that much a problem to you, though? I would rather have an obedient and somewhat affectionate puppy rather than a puppy that rips up the sofa.

Yes, you are right. It's just that it's constant and it does drive me crazy at times! Just looking for ideas. Thanks for your kind thoughts.

I've got an idea, but it's something you'd have to consider deeply and should not base your decision on this problem. What if you got another dog as a companion? I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I thought I'd throw it out there as a suggestion.

worthbeads, I know you are trying to find a constructive way to help, and I commend you for it. Quite a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that a second dog will help keep the first one busy. Initially, she may be excited about it but at the end of the day, the original puppy will want the new one to go home. She wants attention from her person, not from a second dog. What may result is that sewmeup will have two needy dogs on her hands.

sewmeup, here is a link to Havanese breed info. I don't have any experience with them so I thought I would check it out. You have chosen a dog that is a natural companion dog and "lives for your every word and gesture." She is doing what comes natural to her.

Havanese Information

What you may want to do is check to see if there are any doggy daycare type facilities in your area. Two or three times a week, or however much you can afford it, drop her off for a day or half day of play time. She is young and needs the exercise. It will also wear her out and her neediness on those days will drop considerably because when she gets home and settles down, she will go right to sleep.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for all your advise! I've thought of getting another Havanese, and I'm sure she would be "Mommy" to the new one. But, at this time it's only a thought! She's a wonderful puppy and I love her so much that I don't want to upset her and maybe with a second one that could change everything! Thanks again.:)

That is wise of you. As I said,"it's something you'd have to consider deeply and should not base your decision on this problem". It was only an idea.

I totally agree with you! Thanks for your suggestions.