2 year old Yorkie acting a little strange...

[joeychgo]

We have a 2 yr old girl yorkie... "Bella"

Lately, she's been acting a little strange. She has been very clingy to my wife, almost obsessed with her. If my wife moves at all, Bella HAS to know where shes going and at a minimum will watch her intently, if not run to follow. If my wife leaves for ANY amount of time, even 5 mins to take something out to the trash, the do acts like its her second coming when she comes in the door.

She's also been digging all of a sudden, into wierd things - like the seat of a dining room chair, a pillow on the couch, stuff like that. No ryme or reason to it.

I work from home and my wife is a homemaker, (she prefers Domestic Goddess) so its not like the dog is left alone much at all.

Anyone have ideas?

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

Sometimes 'clingy' behavior, if new and not normally done by the pup, can mean the dog isn't feeling well. Is you girl spayed? Digging could be 'nesting' behavior. Or your pup and wife have gone to the next level of 'bonding'.

Maybe a vet check to rule out any illness would be a start... then reevaluate her behavior.

[joeychgo]

No - she isnt spayed... She does nest from time to time, but this is different and new.

Next level of bonding? please explain more?

[kjc]

Sorry, I had to put my pup down so I could respond, lol! My Sapphire has been acting the same way come to think of it. She'll follow me but may just sit and watch me at times. She tries to help cook when I'm in the kitchen, she watches me vacuum and fold laundry. She insists on being on the bed as I try to make it up, and if she's not in my lap while I'm on the PC, she's laying at or on my feet under my chair. She barks at me whenever I return to the house, giving me grief from leaving and not taking her with me, lol!(even if it's just to get the mail!)

She comes up and will dig on my leg so I will pick her up and cuddle. She only stayed up for 30 seconds or so until 2 weeks ago when she fell asleep for almost an hour! Since then, her visits have been lasting alot longer.

She had initially bonded to me when we first got her, she was 2 years old. Now she'll be 5 next week, and with her choosing to stay in my lap longer, I consider this a breakthrough for her, and the next level of bonding because I feel she trusts me more than she ever has. I don't know what comes after this level, maybe melding into one, lol! I just know I sure feel the love from this little girl.

Hope this helps!

[joeychgo]

Well, part of the reason for concern is that bella was more or less equal with my wife and I. Maybe she leaned a little toward my wife. But now she seems to be snubbing me a little and becoming obsessed with my wife.

For example. If she is in my lap and my wife sites down, bella HAS to move to my wife.

Its just a little odd. And then there are the other things I mentioned.

Here is an example.. My wife went out to bring the trash cans in from the street to the back yard. Bella spent the time running at top speed from the front window to the class doors in the back to monitor my wife's progression. When my wife came in we had a dancing dog, doing circles, etc.

When I originally took the garbage out, bella didnt even bother to look once.

She isnt showing any signs of being sick or anything. She's just doing some strange things.

[kjc]

It does sound like she's chosen (or prefers) your wife over you. Two of mine tolerate my DH, and are BFF when I'm not around, but when I come back they all flock to me.

I have noticed when my Sapphire comes in heat she's more clingy with me than usual... then she lightens up a bit when she goes out of heat. Could that be the case with your girl?

Maybe this is a natural emotional progression in a dog? I really don't know for sure.

What exactly is your 'concern'? That she's liking your wife more... and your feelings are hurt? You don't want her to become 'the wife's dog'?

I guess we really can't control too much who the pup will pick as their person. Feeding and taking care of the pup does play a part somewhat, but in the end, they make a choice, probably towards who they feel most comfortable with, for any number of reasons. I think this happens in all homes where there are two people.

One dog we got specifically for me ending up liking my DH more. I'm just glad she found someone she loves and that loves her back. Actually, 2 of mine seem to prefer my DH. Oh well! They still like me, but they really like him, lol.

[joeychgo]

Well, yes in part. Shes fast beomcing my wife's dog instead of our dog. But no, its not my feelings are hurt. My wife is just as puzzled. When you take the other behaviors into account, it makes us wonder a little is all.

[gracielove]

Is the dog in heat? Behaviors change during a heat cycle. It is also quite dangerous to leave a female dog unspayed. There is danger of an infection of the reproductive organs. I had a little dog almost die from such an infection years ago. She could also have some other sickness like a bladder infection. I'd get her to the vet to be checked out and make an appointment to get her spayed as soon as possible.

[OwnedByJezebel]

My pups love my husband, but they clearly prefer me. When I sit down, they leave him and come sit by me or on my lap. When we return home from going somewhere, they greet me first. But then, I'm the one that feeds them, bathes and grooms them, and takes them for walks. I'm sure that has something to do with it.

[Teresa Ford]

My first thought was she is in heat or having a false preg. I agree a Vet check is in order. If she is not in heat or ill, how is your wife's health ? Is she sensing something wrong with your wife ?

[joeychgo]

Wife is fine, and dog does not appear to have any health issues. Good appetite, playful, energetic.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by joeychgo

Well, yes in part. Shes fast beomcing my wife's dog instead of our dog. But no, its not my feelings are hurt. My wife is just as puzzled. When you take the other behaviors into account, it makes us wonder a little is all.

Okay. So these behavioral changes may be a result of her heat cycle, natural growth and development, a possible underlying illness, or, and I just want to mention this as a possibility: some Yorkies are sensitive to their owner's state of health. Might there be something going on with your wife that Bella may be picking up on? (Just something to consider, as farfetched as it may be).

Originally Posted by gracielove

Is the dog in heat? Behaviors change during a heat cycle. It is also quite dangerous to leave a female dog unspayed. There is danger of an infection of the reproductive organs. I had a little dog almost die from such an infection years ago. She could also have some other sickness like a bladder infection. I'd get her to the vet to be checked out and make an appointment to get her spayed as soon as possible.

I agree.

Pyometra (Canine) | Petside


Haha! Just saw the other post lol. Glad your wife is fine!