Speaking of attachment to humans

[Eliz222]

Finch is a "velcro" dog. She follows me wherever I go in the house, and in the yard. She even goes to the bathroom with me. She loves to sit on my lap and give me kisses all over. Her favorite position is laying on my stomach, on her back....she even snores when she sleeps!

Is this a problem? Is she too attached to me?? I think we have a close relationship, but she lets others hold her and relishes all the attention she can get from strangers. She doesn't get upset when I leave the house, but seems very happy when I return.

She doesn't get upset if I have Scout on my lap, although she will try to join us! LOL!

Is this too much attachment??

[CathyAnn]

Shoe, IMO, don't worry about it. You have two wonderful dogs that get along great and are well adjusted. Personally, I think it is WONDERFUL that she loves you soooo much!!

Cathy

[Darcy's Folks]

Well I think it is just fabulous that you have that close of a relationship! I don't think it's odd at all... isn't it what EVERY owner yearns for in their dog? I'd say you've got it made in the shade!

[Tracy A.]

They sound very normal and well adjusted to me! I hope that your hubby gets at least one dog in his lap tooo!

Most nights I have both Mett & Bratt in my lap sleeping, my husband always makes a 'i'm dogless' comment- But when my husband is home with the dogs, they are both in his lap....

Tracy, Bratt & Mett

[kayharley]

Shoe...I'd say "No", it's not too much. Would you prefer her to be more aloof and not so affectionate? She adores you and isn't that what it's all about?

My Winnie has never been a lap dog nor a cuddler; Madison is affectionate but not so much that she'll relax sitting on my lap.

Now Elliott is probably more like Finch. If I go to brush my teeth, Elliott is right there. I cannot take a bath or use the bathroom without him unless I close the door securely. And when I'm through, he's sitting at the door.... he's constantly either on my lap, legs, chest or in my face when I'm sitting on the sofa and you know what?... I love the attention, the bond we have and I wouldn't trade our relationship for all the toys at Petco!

The worst scenerio for me would be to walk through my door and have my dogs ignore me....to not jump or get excited.

[Eliz222]

Thanks, everyone! Glad to hear that it is ok to have a "shadow". My DH calls me GOD to the dogs.....GOD's coming home....go to GOD......but in a joking manner.

Scout is Daddy's girl. She will snuggle up to me all the time, but seldom sits in my lap. When we are outside playing, she spends her time sniffing around the yard and rarely interacts with the frisbee with Finch. She's just her own super self and I wouldn't have it any other way. Scout WILL sit on my DH's lap ALL the time.

[Lisad]

Wow!! Shoe!!! I wish I could say I have that situation. I would love my little guy to be so affectionate! I say, "Good for you!!".

[toomanypaws]

Shoe, Finch sounds like the dream Cairn eveyone would love to have. I don't see her anymore of a "velcro" Cairn, than my Hannah is to me. I guess it's just like how some view children being too attached. Some view the family bed as bonding, while others say put them in their own room and let them cry it out. My dh laughs at me when I'm outdoors because I have 5 dogs following me!!! What can I say, they love me! My Lab is a serious "mama's boy", but my little Hannah is pretty bad too. What's bad, is she's light enough to carry around and loves nothing more than being this extra "growth" on my left side. We will sit in our couch recliner w/ all three, but Hannah will sometimes get an attitude if Kiara or Abbey get too close to me. I usually just give her a light tap of her rear to knock it off and then she's fine w/ them getting close to me. It cracks me up when I'm holding Kiara or Abbey and loving on them, she'll look up at me at howl.

[maggie]

I think it's great that she's so affectionate! Enjoy it!!!

[tena]

Sophie is a 'beside' me dog. She sits beside me where ever I am. If she happens to get on a lap its for a wrestle and rowdiness. When feeling really loving she will put her head on my lap, and get my hand on her belly.

Of course she follows me everywhere. Now besides sulking off to her bed when I have to go to work...she's fine with being left. No yapping, crying, tearing stuff up....just a big sigh and she goes and gets in her bed.

The only time I thought we were having a separation issue was in the car. I 'parked' her for awhile so she could settle down and I could figure out the 'next best course of action'. (still haven't figured it out).

Tena