it's all about you

[minnie mee]

I don't know if this is a real problem, but I have never seen any other dog do this, and I wouldn't mind knowing if I should do something about it.  Minnie Mee is very loyal.  She loves other people and dogs, and licks them and allows herself to be petted.  If I am not around, she will be held by others.  But if I am anywhere near, she refuses to be held by another person, and if I try to leave her with someone and she notices I'm leaving, it's like a tragedy!  She starts to yelp in this forlorn way.  If I sneak out, everything is fine.

Now please understand, she is a very independent dog.  I can leave her alone for hours.  When we are together, she plays very well at my feet, or across the room without my help.  But she just doesn't seem to want to be with anyone else if she can be with me.  I see other dogs just lapping up other people's attention, but since MM doesn't want to go with anyone else, people seem to not like her as much as she has rejected their affection it seems.  One person told me he didn't like her because she is too needy!  And actually the opposite is true.

I try to force her to go to others, but she wriggles out of their arms and goes straight to me.  Of course it's gratifying to be so loved, especially since I am not certain I did anything to deserve it, but I'm not too sure this is good for her, especially if I have to go away for a month or something... one friend of mine told me she went away for three weeks and her morkie wouldn't even eat!

Any advice??

[Kim]

I have the same problem with Max, but it's only with my bf..haha. If I'm home he'll follow me everywhere and will not want to be near my bf. If we're both on the couch, he'll lie down between us or on my lap. But the moment I get up, he'll jump off the couch and follow me around. But when I'm not home, he'll follow my bf everywhere he goes. When it comes to strangers or friends, no matter if I am there or not he'll play with other people/dogs.

I would have to say that Minnie Mee has separation anxiety. Even though you say she is independent, she is only that way when you are there or when you sneak off. If you want her to be able to play with other people and not have to stick to you like glue, you have to make those other people more appealing. Also, it helps if you don't spoil her too much, which for me is really hard. Try having them give her treats and let them give her her favorite toy. That way she'll WANT to hang out with them because she's getting a reward.

As you are walking out, have the person who is holding your dog give her a treat and saying "good girl." When you are out, tell them to give her another treat and praise. Then after a couple seconds, come back in. Keep doing this while extending the time you are out. Eventually, she will see that even though you left, you will come back and at the same time, she gets a reward for being good.

Hope this helps a bit.

[minnie mee]

Now see I videoed her to make sure she was fine when I was away, and she was... she slept or played alone.  And my friends say she is fine when I'm not there if they are taking care of her... it seems to be only when I am there, and then she sticks to me like glue.  I do think I am enforcing this behavior, but not sure what to do to stop myself.  My friends DO give her treats and praise when I leave, but it seems she just wants to be with me if I am anywhere near.

Thanks for the advice so far... I will tell them to give her more treats and see if it helps.