Dependent versus Independent dog

[Anonymous]

We are getting a puppy, and the breeder asked us to think about whether we would like a more dependent dog or a more independent one. Any ideas from owners on the pros and cons of each personality type? Please help me think this through!

[Anonymous]

I have what would definitely be classified as a super dependent dog.

Positives:
So affectionate. He is the cuddliest goober ever (which is also a bit of a negative since he's 45 pounds of lap dog)
Loves our kid. Loves loves loves. He viewed her as one of *his* humans from the moment we brought her home and just adores her
Super friendly with strangers, no concerns about him being aggressive with people ever because he just loves humans so much

Negatives:
He is glued to our side every moment we're home and can't stand being separated from us. We try to put him in another room when DD is eating (because she gets distracted by his presence and starts trying to give him her food) but he just whines and whines until we let him rejoin the family.
He wants to be all over us 24x7. It's sweet but sometimes I just don't want a dog at my feet for hours on end, ya know?

[Anonymous]

Independent. We don't want a Velcro dog.

[Anonymous]

Love my Velcro dog! I had an independent dog before and frankly it was like having a very high maintenance cat. No thanks!

[Anonymous]

We have a dependent dog, who shredded papers and cardboard, and on one occasion, a chair leg, when we left him alone too long.

He LOVES people. Everyone, especially children. He will jump on anyone who approaches, to greet them in proper dog fashion. Despite our best efforts, we can't seem to break him out of that. I force him into a sit when kids want to pet him - he is very fluffy and cute-looking. Once he was swarmed near the elementary school by a group of kids and he was in 7th heaven. He didn't even jump that time, since he had all this attention and little hands fluffing up his fur. We took him to the kite festival in DC, and his strutted around enjoying the attention, and didn't jump that time either. Unfortunately, I don't have large, adoring crowds at hand on a daily basis to make him stop jumping.

He wants to get as close to us as possible when we're in the house, and will come asking for belly rubs and petting.

[Anonymous]

I love my chihuahua. He is a lap dog and easy to care for. He does follow me everywhere but also likes to take long naps.

[Anonymous]

What breed is it?

[Anonymous]

Dependent, low energy small dog would be my pick. I've loved my small dogs who nap most of the day, but are great family companions. I really have trouble with large, hyper breeds who jump on you and are all over you. There's a big difference between a 10lb dog being near you and a 60lb one.

[Anonymous]

I've never thought about my dog in those terms. I've only had one dog and he seems to straddle the middle. He's completely fine on his own and is certainly not needy, but wants to be with us and loves other people. He is a lab.

If I had to choose between the two, I personally would prefer Independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dependent, low energy small dog would be my pick. I've loved my small dogs who nap most of the day, but are great family companions. I really have trouble with large, hyper breeds who jump on you and are all over you. There's a big difference between a 10lb dog being near you and a 60lb one.

So do I. That's why we get large breeds that are not hyper and don't jump all over you (which means, not a doodle).

[Anonymous]

We have a 10 month old doodle who is very dependent. He jumps up if I leave the room and follows me. Tries to block me from going upstairs and cries when we leave the house. Its heart breaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 10 month old doodle who is very dependent. He jumps up if I leave the room and follows me. Tries to block me from going upstairs and cries when we leave the house. Its heart breaking.

My 7th month old doodle is the same. She breaks my heart every morning when I leave!

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one with an independent dog? He as sweet as can be, and it’s basically a lapdog but is very independent as well. An example of his independence is when I let him outside to play , he can entertain himself for a very long time. He has been left outside for more than one hour without asking to be let in and he will find things outside to entertain himself with. I’ve never had a dog like this before. Most dogs I have had only want to be outside if I am outside as well. As Soon as I walk back in the house they follow me. The only negative side to the independence, is he does not always come when called. If he is having fun and does not want to come in, he won’t unless enticed with a treat.

[Anonymous]

OP, what breed? I think that matters a lot, since some breeds tend to more independent versus dependent. For example, my dad has "working dogs" of a particular breed on his cattle ranch. They are trained to herd sheep and cattle and they definitely work during the day. But his are more of the dependent type, so they hang out like regular dogs once they're inside. Some of his friends have independent versions and they sleep outside and seem like workers rather than pets. I've always had lab mixes and I'd vote for a more independent one of those since they tend to be loving attached dogs anyway.

[Anonymous]

OMG, I would kill for an independent dog! Been struggling with my dog's severe separation anxiety for 4 years and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.