Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere?

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Why does my dog keep following me around the house?

Whether you named your dog Shadow or not, your canine companion will most likely follow you around the house. Many dogs love (or even need to) follow their owners. While this is usually just a sign of your dog's interest in you, it can also be a symptom of underlying anxiety or a lack of confidence in your dog.

Why do dogs follow people everywhere?

Whether you find your dog's shady behaviors cute, annoying, or worrisome, you may want to know why your pup is doing this. There are several common reasons why your dog follows you.

Fellowship

We have bred dogs for generations and generations to want to be around us. The fact that most dogs spend their days alone is something really new to them. Because dogs are such social creatures, they are often strongly motivated to be in our presence as much as possible while we are around.

Boredom

Many dogs do not get enough physical and mental exercise every day. This can lead them to follow their people all over the place, looking for something, anything, to do. If you give your dog a chew toy, does it stop? If so, he was probably bored.

Unmet needs

If your dog hasn't been to the bathroom in a while and has suddenly clung to his side, it could be a sign that your dog needs to get outside! Many dogs get especially clingy when they're upset or in need of help. Try taking your dog outside and see if he needs to go to the bathroom.

Lack of confidence or anxiety

Some dogs rely on our social presence because they are actually nervous about being alone. This can be a symptom of separation anxiety according to some studies. But many dogs that are generally "worried about life" also exhibit shady behavior, especially during storms or other worrying times!

Observe your dog's body language to determine if her following behavior is motivated by fear of the unknown versus a desire to be close to you. An anxious dog may show pinned ears, wide eyes, grimacing panting, or increased tension as she prepares to leave. Dogs that are really anxious may not be willing to eat a snack or play with a toy while you leave the room.

Reinforcement

On the other hand, your dog can follow you because you are "The carrier of good things." If you regularly engage with your dog in a positive way, chances are your dog is only following you because you are a good person to be around with. Take it as a compliment and keep it up.

Race traits

Some breeds are simply more predisposed to following their owners than others! Herding breeds like Border Collies and Shelties, as well as guardian breeds like Great Pyrenees and German Shepherds, are especially prone to following their owners. Humans bred these dogs for thousands of years to follow flocks of sheep. In the absence of sheep or other livestock, these dogs can follow their owners.

Is my dog's observing behavior a problem?

In general, the fact that your dog follows you is not a big deal. There are two main exceptions to this rule: if you find it annoying, or if your dog is really distressed about being alone. There is a big difference between your dog-loving presence and your dog-hating being alone.

Try putting your dog behind a baby gate or tying his leash to a door, then leave the room. Or, if your dog normally joins you in the bathroom, leave him outside for a moment. If your dog is bothered by this, then it is time to work on "independence training."

It's also okay to admit that your dog's observing behavior is a bit excessive. We all love our dogs, but most of us also like to have a little personal space. In either case, follow the steps below to teach your dog to give him more space.

How to stop your dog from following you everywhere

If you've determined that you would like your dog to stop following you, there is a relatively simple solution: give him something else to do instead.

A helpful way to increase independence in clingy dogs is to teach them to lie quietly on a bed, towel, or mat. There are several methods that can be successful when it comes to training your puppy to do this. Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol, which teaches your pup to sit up and stay calm no matter the circumstances, is one option.

In this method, take a new bed or mat and ask your dog to lie down on it. Every time he does it successfully, reward him with a treat. Once you've mastered this command, start incorporating distractions like placing treats nearby or having a family member stand a few feet from your mat. Over time, you will learn to lie down and stay on the designated mat for long periods of time.

 Enjoy The Video Tutorial about Why Does Your Dog Follow You Everywhere?

Source: Veterinary Secrets

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