Introduction
Dogs forming extremely strong bonds with humans, known as imprinting, is a common occurrence that most dog owners will experience. Imprinting is the process where newborn animals form attachments to the first moving object they perceive, whether it be a human or even an inanimate object. For dogs, imprinting typically occurs between 3 and 16 weeks old during the critical socialization period when they are most receptive to forming social attachments. An imprinted dog views their chosen human as the center of their world, seeking constant contact, comfort, and approval from them. Understanding the signs of imprinting can help owners better meet the needs of their devoted dog companions.
Strong Eye Contact
One of the clearest signs that a dog has imprinted on their human is strong eye contact. Dogs who have bonded closely with their owner will seek frequent eye contact. According to The Wildest, this serves both to check in with their trusted person and as a gesture of affection.
When a dog stares into your eyes, it indicates a high level of comfort, trust, and connection. The dog is signaling that they see you as their family. Prolonged eye contact releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which strengthens the human-animal bond. Through eye contact, the dog is affirming the imprinting relationship.
This focused gaze is different from incidental eye contact. An imprinted dog will deliberately seek out eye contact and hold the gaze longer. According to Ridgeback K9, this shows that the dog feels safe, happy, and emotionally invested when looking at you.
Following Everywhere
Dogs who have imprinted on their owner will likely follow them everywhere they go. This constant shadowing behavior is a sign of the strong bond and attachment the dog feels. The Wildest notes that an imprinted dog feels safest when near their chosen human, and being separated causes anxiety. They want to stick close to “their person” at all times.
This following behavior can occur both inside and outside the home. An imprinted dog may follow the owner from room to room, wait outside the bathroom door, and even try to squeeze into small spaces to be near them. Outside, they may walk directly behind or right beside their human when on a walk. Rover explains that this extreme shadowing helps imprinted dogs keep their loved one in sight and assures them their bonded human is close by.
While constant following may seem annoying at times, it’s simply an expression of the dog’s strong attachment. Allowing them to accompany you and providing reassurance helps relieve their separation anxiety. With patience and training, imprinted dogs can learn to give their humans a bit more space while still maintaining their special bond.
Separation Anxiety
One of the most common signs of imprinting is separation anxiety. Dogs who have imprinted on their owner will become very distressed when that person leaves. As per Canine Journal, separation anxiety stems from a dog’s tight bond with their owner and fear of being left alone. An imprinted dog associates being left behind with danger and feels a strong need to be close to their person at all times.
Imprinted dogs with separation anxiety may whine, bark, or destroy items when their owner leaves. They may scratch at doors or windows in an attempt to escape and follow their person. Some imprinted dogs will even refuse to eat when their owner is away. Separation anxiety is a clear indicator that a dog feels emotionally attached to and reliant on their owner. The distress imprinted dogs feel during separations underscores how vital the human-dog bond is to their wellbeing.
Snuggling and Physical Closeness
Dogs who imprint on their owners will seek out physical contact and closeness. This can manifest in behaviors like snuggling up next to you on the couch or bed, resting their head on your lap, and leaning against your legs. Imprinted dogs crave the security and comfort of being close to their special person.
According to Rover, imprinted dogs see their owners as a “source of safety and security” and will often show affection by cuddling belongings that smell like you, even when you’re not there, like shoes, pillows or blankets. The smell brings them comfort.
The Wildest notes that imprinted dogs will often exhibit behaviors like licking, nuzzling and sitting physically close to their owner as signs of devotion and affection. Imprinted dogs feel most relaxed and secure when they can maintain physical closeness with their human companion.
Obedience
One of the clearest signs of imprinting is that imprinted dogs are often extremely obedient to their chosen person. According to the Sport Dog Training Center, imprinted dogs will often follow commands from their person instinctively, even without formal training. This is because they form such a strong bond during the imprinting period that they become highly motivated to please their special person.
The obedience displayed by imprinted dogs goes beyond just following basic commands. As Wonder Puppy notes, imprinted dogs will often instinctively understand what their person wants and needs. For example, they may bring their favorite toy over when their person seems sad or stressed, demonstrating an intuitive understanding of human emotions. Their strong connection drives them to do whatever it takes to make their person happy.
While this close bond can facilitate training, the Berger Blanc Suisse breeders recommend actively socializing and training imprinted puppies. Relying solely on imprinting obedience can lead to separation anxiety and other behavioral issues if the dog becomes too dependent on their one person. Formal training helps build confidence and ensures the dog listens to everyone in the household.
Overprotectiveness
Most overprotective dogs tend to guard only the person they feel closest to, typically the person who feeds them and cares for them the most (1). This is a very common behavior in dogs that are imprinted on their owner. When a dog imprints on a human, it views that person as a primary caregiver and becomes overprotective in order to keep them safe from perceived threats (2)(3).
Signs of overprotectiveness due to imprinting include growling, barking or lunging at strangers getting too close, placing themselves physically between their person and others, and refusing to let anyone approach or touch their person. Imprinted dogs can become aggressive toward unfamiliar people or animals that approach or interact with the object of their imprinting and protection. They do this out of a strong, misguided desire to defend their special person or guardian (1)(2).
While imprinting can create very devoted bonds, overprotectiveness should be consistently managed and gradually counterconditioned using positive reinforcement training methods. With proper socialization and training exercises, imprinted dogs can learn discern real threats better and how to calmly coexist with unfamiliar people and animals (2).
Excited Greetings
One of the strongest signs your dog has imprinted on you is how excited they get when you return home after being gone. An imprinted dog will show extreme elation and joy when you walk through the door, even if you were only gone briefly. They may jump up, spin in circles, whine, bark, and overall act like your return is the highlight of their day. This overjoyed ritual of greeting you is a way for the imprinted dog to express how much they missed you and how happy they are that you have returned https://njdog.com/dogs-imprinting-on-humans-know-the-signs/. The intensity and enthusiasm with which an imprinted dog greets you demonstrates the strength of their bond to you.
Some signs of an excited imprinted dog when you return home include jumping on you, crying and whining, bringing you their favorite toy, uncontrollable tail wagging, demanding pets and belly rubs, and following you from room to room. They want to soak up every second of your presence to make up for lost time. It’s as if they are saying “I missed you so much, I’m so glad you’re finally back!” through their effusive greetings. An imprinted dog considers their human a member of their pack, and your absence, no matter how brief, creates anxiety that is relieved euphorically upon your return.
Resource Guarding
Resource guarding occurs when a dog shows possessive aggressive behavior over objects, food, or people. An imprinted dog views their human as a precious resource that needs guarding. According to The Humane Society, resource guarding happens because the dog anticipates losing access to the item. The imprinted dog may show aggressive behaviors like growling, lunging, or biting when approached while guarding their favorite human.
To curb resource guarding, PetMD recommends teaching the imprinted dog to associate people’s presence with receiving high-value treats. For example, when the dog is guarding the human, have another person approach and give the dog something delicious like chicken. This conditioning helps the dog feel happy instead of threatened when their human is approached. Additionally, always provide the imprinted dog with sufficient affection, toys, treats, etc. so they feel less inclined to guard their favorite person.
Conclusion
In summary, the main signs that a dog has imprinted on their human include: strong eye contact, following their human everywhere, separation anxiety when apart, snuggling and seeking physical closeness, obedience to their human, overprotectiveness of their human, excited greetings when their human returns, and resource guarding their human from others. These behaviors demonstrate the special bond and attachment a dog feels toward their primary caretaker or family. An imprinted dog views its human as the center of its world and relies on that person for its basic needs and security. While imprinting is a natural process, it can be strengthened through positive interactions and meeting a dog’s needs during its critical development stages.