Look, we all know puppies are clingy. But Penelope the English Bulldog has taken things to a level that most people reserve for their actual human children.
In a TikTok showing exactly what happens when this bulldog puppy decides she needs to be present and involved in literally every single second of her mom’s life. And by involved, I mean physically attached.
The video gives a peek into a mom trying to do her nightly routine—brushing teeth, washing face, the usual stuff we all do. Except she’s doing all of it one-handed because Penelope is tucked into her other arm like a football. Just hanging out. Completely content to be carried through life like a tiny purse dog which she most definitely is not.
The caption says “Still a snuggle bug,” with the text “It was only a couple of minutes and now she’s too big to hold in 1 arm.” Which actually explains everything. Penelope got used to being carried everywhere and she loves it. Nobody bothered telling her she’s not quite as portable anymore.
People in the comments are obsessed. “That’s the cutest loaf of bread I’ve ever seen,” wrote one person, and to be honest, that’s exactly what she looks like. A chunky little loaf just vibing in mom’s arms.
The whole situation screams “this is my life now” energy from mom’s perspective. She’s not even fighting it anymore. Just accepting that brushing teeth is now a two-person job.
Why Are Some Bulldog Puppies So Clingy With Their Humans?
So what’s going on here? Why is Penelope acting like she’ll cease to exist if mom sets her down for thirty seconds?
Some dogs are just naturally more attached than others. Certain breeds—including Bulldogs—tend to be extra clingy because they were bred specifically to be companion animals. Their favorite place to be is near their people constantly. It’s literally in their bulldog DNA.
Puppies especially can develop what’s called “velcro dog” behavior. They follow you everywhere you go, panic when you’re not in their line of sight, and generally act like you’re the only thing keeping them alive. Which, to be fair—you kind of are when they’re still puppies.
Other times it’s learned behavior too. If Penelope got picked up every time she wanted attention as a tiny puppy, she learned that being clingy works. Why would she stop now? Her behavior results in her getting what she wants.
The “too big to hold in one arm” thing is real though. Bulldogs grow really fast, and what worked when they weighed 10 pounds stops working real fast when they hit 40. Apparently, Penelope didn’t get that memo. In her puppy mind, she’s still that tiny puppy who fit perfectly in one arm.
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Health issues can cause clinginess too—senior dogs losing vision or hearing often stay closer to their humans simply for security. However, Penelope’s still young, so she’s probably just very attached and maybe even a little spoiled.
The good news? This behavior can be modified if it becomes a problem. Crate training helps dogs learn to self sooth and be comfortable alone. Mental stimulation and exercise tire them out so they’re less focused on clinging to you constantly.
But looking at that video? Mom doesn’t seem like she’s in any hurry to change things. Sometimes you just accept your fate as a human dog carrier.
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.