Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere

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Dogs follow owners around the house, indicating trust, love, and safety. This natural social behavior can be triggered by comfort or fear, but it’s essential to consult a vet or behaviorist if you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior.

Dogs may follow their owners simply because they love them, but they may also follow for comfort, anxiety, or to guard them. Understanding the reasons behind your dog’s follower behavior is crucial for maintaining quality time with your pet.

Your Dog gets Rewards When They Follow You

When your dog follows you around, how do you react? Do you tend to ignore them, or do you give them a pat, a cuddle or maybe even a nibble of food? It’s possible that your dog has learnt that if they follow you around, then they get good things. Giving them reassurance, attention and treats every time they follow you encourages them to keep doing it.

Your Dog is Bored

Your dog might follow you around because they’re looking for something to do. It may be a lot more interesting to see what you are up to, especially if there’s a possibility of a stroke or a treat.

Ask yourself if you think your dog is getting enough mental and physical stimulation, and if not, then you may need to find other ways to make life more interesting for them, such as longer or more regular walks, giving them chew toys or food puzzles to play with.

Your Dog Wants to Know What’s Going On

>Dogs are naturally inquisitive and love to know what’s going on. They follow you around because, to them, you’re the person in the know and the gateway to all things exciting. Your dog’s nosy nature, combined with a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out), means that they’re often under your feet and sticking their nose into everything, literally.

Your Dog is Waiting

Dogs are great at learning their daily routines. If it’s nearly time to go for a walk or be fed, your dog probably knows it and may follow you around the house, hurrying you along. Dogs are also very good at reading our body language and picking up on clues about what we’re thinking of doing next.

If you’re planning on doing something they think is exciting, then they’ll follow you around, hoping you’ll do it soon.

Your Dog is Trying to Tell You Something

If your dog is barking, whining, or pacing, follow them and observe their movements. They may need more water, food, or outdoor access. If they’re more clingy and following you, they may be feeling unwell and need extra reassurance. Consult your vet if you’re concerned about their health.

It’s Your Dogs Natural Behavior

Allelomimetic behavior is a natural social behavior in dogs, where they follow and observe their owners to maintain good relationships. This self-preservation behavior helps create and sustain social bonds, and being with trusted individuals is beneficial. Copying their behavior is also part of learning and fostering a good relationship.

Your Dog is Scared

Your dog sees you as their protector, ensuring their safety and security. However, certain noises like thunderstorms and fireworks can be frightening to some dogs, leading them to seek reassurance.
Fearful dogs may pin back their ears, widen their eyes, and pant more than usual. They may also avoid eating, drinking, or playing. To help your dog feel comfortable and safe during these events, consider providing various ways to keep them safe.

Your Dog has Separation Anxiety

Velcro dogs and separation anxiety are related to a dog’s desire to be with its owner, but the main difference lies in the anxiety itself. Velcro dogs prefer to be glued to their owners, while separation anxiety causes panic when away. Addressing the behavior before it becomes a problem is crucial to prevent the dog from functioning without its owner.

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Following Me Everywhere?

If your dog’s confidence and independence suddenly change, it’s likely they’re trying to communicate something wrong, such as feeling unwell or experiencing a change in their body, such as loss of sight or hearing. Any sudden and significant behavioral changes should prompt a checkup for your dog’s health.

Why Does My Dog Only Follow Me?

Dogs are smart animals and will often single out one person to follow, sometimes even to the exclusion of others. This usually indicates that this person fulfills whatever the dog is looking for.

Sometimes, this person is the primary caregiver who feeds, walks, and plays with the dog. Other times, it is the person who gives out snacks most frequently. Or it could just be the “most fun” person. Dogs get everything they need from people, and they will generally follow the person who takes them to the things they want most.

Why Does My Puppy Follow Me Everywhere?

Early developmental phases in puppies help them learn who their caregivers are, which can make them feel safe and secure. If you have been caring for your puppy since childhood, they may have imprinted on you as their parent. However, puppies are unique in their behavior, as they rely on their mother to teach them the world’s ways.

When they are separated from their mother and siblings, their new family becomes their “imprinted” parents, leading them to closely follow you to learn about their environment. They are often less confident than older dogs and haven’t learned proper social skills, which tends to lessen as they mature.

Which Dog Breeds Are More Likely to Follow People?

Dogs’ behavior towards their owners is largely individual, but certain breeds, like Chihuahuas and Border Collies, are known as “Velcro dogs” and are bred to be companions. Working dogs like Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers follow people due to their human-oriented nature, while Terriers are more independent and tend to do their own thing.

Overall, dogs’ behavior towards their owners varies based on their breed.

What to Do If Your Dog Always Follows You Around

If you find your dog following you too much or panic when they can’t follow you, it’s time to take action. Consult your veterinarian for advice, especially if your dog becomes overly anxious when separated from you.

Ensure your dog is getting plenty of exercise, as tired dogs are less likely to follow their owners. Assess your role in the behavior, such as looking at your dog when they follow you, paying attention, or giving treats. If your dog is bored, provide food puzzles, toys, and activities near their bed to encourage them to spend some alone time.

If you switch your expectations and ignore your dog while they are following you, break the habit of trailing you to “get” something. Training helps, teaching commands like “stay” and “place” to show your dog it’s okay to be left alone in a safe area.

Dogs that lack confidence or become anxious need encouragement and training to feel it’s okay to be left alone, and you as the primary person the dog follows. Establishing rules and expectations for your dog and having others walk your dog regularly can help reduce focus on a single person and divide duties among the “pack.”

Finding a middle ground between following and a comfortable and secure dog is crucial.

Final Thoughts

As dog parents, it’s our responsibility to identify the root cause of your dog’s persistent following behavior, and if you have any further questions about your dog’s behavior, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.