The Velcro Dog Experience: Life with Kodah the Shadow

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.

Until a few months ago, I wasn’t familiar with the term ‘velcro dog.’ I was aware of the concept, of course; the dog that sticks like glue and follows you everywhere like a shadow, but I hadn’t heard that particular phrase. It’s so cute! With Chihuahuas in the house, I would have expected that my velcro dog would be of the tiny variety, and Ned is certainly pretty firmly attached to me. However, if the choice is between me and some food, I’m afraid I come a close second. I was also surprised when reading up on classic velcro dog breeds that German Shepherds made the list, but I shouldn’t have been, because I now realize that Kodah, my Shepherd x Malinois, is 100% my velcro dog.

Kodah’s Favorite Things

Like most dogs, Kodah’s needs are relatively few, and it doesn’t take much to make him happy. His favorite things include:

1. Me

2. The hose

3. His ball

4. Food

5. Husband

6. Ned & Fred

The irony? I was dead against getting him. When we lost our gentle giant, Remus the Irish Wolfhound, we were left with a very sensible number of dogs: three; Poppy & Bailey the Labradors, and our rescue Chihuahua, Potato (Tate). However, Husband insisted that we needed a fourth, wearing me down until Kodah joined the family. Of course, I was right, and he has proven to be very hard work, particularly as his Malinois genes weren’t disclosed when we first brought him home! Also unsurprisingly, I have ended up with most of that work! Whilst Husband took on the role of primary disciplinarian and male leader, as the female leader of our pack, I have the distinct privilege of having something of a maternal place in his life, and Kodah is definitely a ‘momma’s boy’!

My Shadow

No one likes to be alone, and in my house, you never are. Closed doors are met with confusion and consternation, and even bathroom visits are not sacrosanct. We’ve learned that if we need to keep the pets away, firmly latched doors and snacks are required, and most of the time, it’s easier to accept the company.

My office doubles as our ‘cat room,’ with a child gate to keep the dogs out, giving our felines somewhere to relax without fear of canine interference, and to keep Kodah from sampling items from the litter box. However, during the day, the cats prefer to luxuriate in our bedroom as it gets the morning sun, and the wardrobe is apparently far superior to the feline furnishings I have kitted out their room with. As a result, Kodah has taken to joining me in the office/cat sanctuary, positioning himself under my desk (good) or behind the wheels of my chair (not so good).

Permanently Stuck in the ‘On’ Position

Even when we’re relaxing in front of the TV or on the bed reading a book, if I so much as move an inch, Kodah is up and ready to go wherever I might be headed. Sometimes it’s to the kitchen, sometimes the bathroom, and sometimes I’m just scratching an itch! The combination of velcro dog and guard dog instincts means that he is rarely in full relaxation mode, which explains why he sleeps quite soundly through the night!

Fortunately, while Kodah prefers to stay within licking distance of me, he’s not overprotective and doesn’t stop people or other dogs from approaching. In fact, I wouldn’t even call him protective! Despite his fearsome appearance, he is far more likely to hide behind me in the event of an attack than come to my rescue! Although he’s the first to bark wildly at any person, animal, or leaf passing the window, the few times we have heard an actual ‘worrying’ sound from outside, like when the neighbor’s teenage son was locked out of the house, or the rubbish bins blew over, he has literally wedged himself between me and the back of the sofa. So brave.

Luckily for me, my velcro dog and I have a Ned to protect us!