I leave my 11-week-old puppy alone in the kitchen when I go to work.
When I get home, I creep up really quietly and I can't hear anything, he's fast asleep.
As soon as he hears me, he starts crying and goes absolutely wild with excitement, whining away for at least 10 minutes.
The strange thing is, it's as if he's actually crying or rather whimpering like he’s in pain, even though he’s clearly over the moon to see me.
It breaks my heart for the little guy.
Is this normal?
Also, when I'm at home, he follows me everywhere like a shadow. If I get up from the sofa 30 times in an evening to go to the kitchen, he follows me 30 times. Even if he was fast asleep, he gets up, follows me, and lies back down at my feet while I'm doing the washing up, for example. Even though I’m only about three metres away from the sofa!
Is this normal?
Translated from French
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Yes, absolutely, it’s completely normal. A Lagotto is very attentive to their family and gets incredibly attached to their main person. He’ll definitely become more independent as he grows up, but for now, he’s still just a baby, and you’re his whole world—his point of reference, his family, his pack, his mum (you're basically the centre of his universe!). So, of course, he’s following you everywhere. He’s a real little bundle of love, so make the most of this time; he won’t be quite so needy when he’s older (well, slightly less so, anyway!).
Not sure if this will reassure you or not 😅. When my dog was a puppy, he used to cry and howl whenever I went to the loo, especially when we were at other people's houses. We’ve moved house quite a few times since then and he’s settled down a lot, but he’s still like my shadow. He’s very subtle about it nowadays, but no matter where I go, I’ll find him nearby. Interestingly, he’s very food-oriented; when my mum pops over, she gives the dogs treats, and if I make the mistake of heading into the kitchen at the same time, you can see him caught in a dilemma: the treat vs Mum leaving the room. Usually, he’ll grab the treat and do a little dash to the kitchen as if to say "I’m coming, don't leave!". My female dog is much more normal. She’s cuddly but doesn’t follow me into every room. Still, as long as there aren't any separation anxiety issues when we're out, and the dog is happy and well-balanced, I don't worry too much.
I think he struggled to settle into his new surroundings when you first got him; he still needs you and needs a bit of reassurance ;)
Things are going well now. He’s found his feet, is having a blast sniffing everything in the garden, gets the zoomies (which usually last an hour rather than fifteen minutes!), and eats like a horse. I actually think he looks obese tonight 😁! He had a double portion of dry food because he seemed absolutely famished, and now he’s got a right little pot belly. From tomorrow, I’m going to go back to weighing his dry food like it says on the bag.
The only thing is, I find him really clingy—I mean, really. It’s not that I mind, but I just feel like it’s not quite normal.
Evening, he’s just a big emotional chatterbox, no need to worry. He might grow out of it or it might stay with him, it just depends on how he matures. It’s lovely to be greeted like that, and as long as it isn’t accompanied by any excitement peeing (which would be something you'd need to work on), there’s no reason to dwell on it. When I get home from work, my girl is silent; she shows her joy at seeing me with head nudges and tail wags. Sirius, on the other hand, chortles and huffs. He actually perches at the top of the stairs and is scared to come down, so it takes him a few minutes before he dares to come and see me. Then, when he feels ready to head down, he whines at every step, chortles, almost howls... It’s quite a performance, but it’s just pure emotion.
You’ve really put my mind at ease 🙂!! The excitement peeing only happened the very first time. But honestly, he goes absolutely bonkers when he sees me; he whimpers, dashes all over the place, and completely loses control with this mix of crying and being happy—it’s all just a bit chaotic!
Evening, you mentioned you could get home at lunch, right? If he’s on his own in the morning and afternoon it can work, but someone needs to pop in to spend some time with him or take him out if you can’t make it back between 12 and 2. Also, a Lagotto is very vocal. Very. They whine, they grumble, and they make all sorts of noises. He’s just expressing himself. He’ll stop shadowing you quite so much as he grows up. Does he get the chance to dig? He needs to dig holes and get his nose into the earth. I know he’s only a baby, but has he seen a lake or a river yet (you’ve got a water dog, after all)? Water is essential for his well-being.
Since I’ve had him, I’ve been working from home in the mornings. On the only full day I’ve done so far, I popped back at lunch to spend a good hour with him, and that’ll be the routine for 2021—I’ll be coming home for my lunch break.
As for the water, he’s seen the sea; he wasn’t particularly bothered, but he’d only just arrived. I live right by an old wash-house where he’ll be able to have a dip in the stream whenever he fancies it. At the moment, though, he’s still walking around puddles.... 🙄
Good evening, did you mention that you could get back at lunchtime? If he's on his own in the morning and afternoon, it should be fine, but someone needs to pop in to spend some time with him or take him out if you can't manage it between 12 and 2.
Also, Lagottos are very vocal. Very. They whine, they grumble, and they make all sorts of little noises. He's just expressing himself.
As he gets older, he’ll stop following you around everywhere quite so much. Does he have the chance to dig? He needs to dig holes and get his nose into the soil.
I know he’s only a puppy, but has he seen a lake or a river yet (you have a water dog, after all)? Water is vital for their wellbeing.
He’s just a big chatty boy, nothing to worry about. He might grow out of it or it might stay with him, it all depends on how he matures. It’s lovely to be greeted like that, and as long as it’s not accompanied by happy wees (which would be something you'd need to work on), there’s no reason to dwell on it.
When I get home from work, my dog is quiet; she shows her joy at seeing me by nuzzling me with her head and wagging her tail. Sirius, on the other hand, chuckles and huffs. He actually perches at the top of the stairs and is scared to come down, so it takes him a few minutes before he dares to come and see me. So, when he finally feels up to coming down, he whines at every step, chuckles, practically howls... It’s quite a performance, but it’s just pure emotion.
Mine does that as well, she’s quite vocal! It's the same whether I'm out for an hour or longer ^^
It’s perfectly normal for him to follow you around too. I think he struggled a bit to settle into his new surroundings when you first got him; he still needs you and needs plenty of reassurance ;)
"There are plenty of dogs who are left on their own during the day while the rest of the family is at work, aren't there?"
Not all of them manage well with too many hours alone... 1.30pm to 6pm is doable, but he’s still a puppy, so definitely make the most of taking him to doggy daycare regularly! ;)
Is there no way you could leave him with someone, like a professional dog sitter or a kind neighbour, while you're at work?
No kind neighbour, unfortunately, but a dog sitter is an option. I’ve already tried doggy daycare once to see how he’d get on. It went well.
But is that just for while he’s a puppy, or is it meant to be forever?
Surely there are plenty of dogs who stay home alone during the day while the rest of the family is at work, aren't there?
I’ve been working from home in the mornings this week. I head out around 1.30 pm and get back between 6 and 7 pm. When I’m here, I give him my full attention. We play, go for walks, and have plenty of cuddles.
Have you heard the expression "to follow someone around like a lost puppy"?
Well, that’s exactly what it’s like.
Leaving a puppy in social isolation is completely unnatural for them, as they are inherently social beings. It causes major psychological stress and can actually hinder their brain development.
Is there any way you could leave him with someone, like a professional dog sitter or a kind neighbour, while you’re at work?
