Cross Breeds

Is it normal for my almost 5 month old puppy to still be so attached to her Mommy?

I have 3 wonderful Shetland Sheepdogs. Emma is my female. Toby is my male. And little Maybel is the baby. She was the runt that we decided to keep. She isn't trying to nurse and hasn't for months now but it's like she HAS to be around Emma 24-7 and Emma acts like she could care less. Maybel is constantly jumping all over Mom and biting her back and tail. Emma just ignores it. She's more into playing fetch or chasing deer, squirrels, and seagulls. Little Maybel loves to mimic everything the big dogs do, it is very cute. Most of the time, you can tell she doesn't even know what she's barking at or chasing. She just tags a long! If she gets too far behind, she starts whimpering while running her little gawky legs off (it's too cute!). I'm just worried that she is too attached. She is always around atleast one of her parents. Emma goes to agility classes so that's the only time they are separated. And I want Maybel to be a people dog but right now, she's more of a dog dog! By dog dog, I mean she'd prefer to be around Mom and Dad than me. I think taking her to basic obedience and basic agility by herself would be a good idea, don't you? Emma is the oldest and definitely, the most spoiled. I feel awful but she is my favorite and I know it's my fault for playing favorites! I've just gotten very close to her especially working so much on agility and obedience. I'm hoping little Maybel will follow in her footsteps. Should I bring Maybel with to her classes and have her watch? She might even learn just from watching! If you have more than one dog, how do make sure they all have alone time with just you so they all feel equally loved! Thank God I'm not a parent! I'm afraid I'd play favorites with my kids. I'm not saying that I don't take wonderful care of my dogs and give them lots of love but Emma certainly is spoiled and she can be bratty. I want Maybel to be more independent as well! She is like their little shadow! Any suggestions? And yes, I have had Emma and Toby fixed now. One litter was plenty and the other 3 pups went to GREAT homes and I'm receiving updates with photos and lots of thanks so it was rewarding. By the way, do you like the name,Maybel?

Public Comments

1. Yes ofcourse ....... They are not human but they still have a mother child bond.
2. Don't you love your mom??? In the wild, if we didn't seperate the puppies so early, they would rely on mom to teach them how to survive.
3. yes.they still needed protection from enimies that could be lurking around