Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere?

Why does my dog follow me everywhere? is the exasperated cry of many a pet parent! Dogs are known for being man's best friend and rely on their owners for food and shelter. They are also socially dependent on their owners and family members and have a desire to be your buddy at all times. This can make them an ideal companion and easily trained, although sometimes your furry friend may appear too attached. A pet parent needs to watch out for separation anxiety and deal with traits that are less desirable by balancing training, socialization, and healthy outlets for expression of their dog's feelings.

Dogs do have feelings and they make strong relationships with their human families. Sometimes when their loved ones ignore them, or they get busy and have less time, it can make a dog start chewing things up, howling or showing signs of anxiety. They become fearful when their owners are not there.

Normal healthy behaviors of your pet dog may include the following:

• A desire to lie at your feet all the time.

• Jumping up to follow you everywhere from the room.

• Sitting outside a bathroom or bedroom door waiting for you.

• Being at the door to greet you happily when you return.

• Wanting to go with you when you leave, but can accept if you leave them behind.

• Leaning on you and having a desire to touch you.

Signs of separation anxiety and unhealthy behaviors in dogs:

1. Anxious behavior, such as panting, and pacing or whining constantly.

2. Chewing up your furniture, door frames, or other items of value, especially that belong specifically to you.

3. Trying desperately to follow you everywhere and trying to break through doors to get to you. They are unable to handle simple things like you going to the bathroom without trying to get in with you.

4. Shaking and acting depressed. Showing a lack of desire or interest in any other family member or someone offering them attention. Displaying hostility towards people who aren't you.

5. A general feeling of anxiousness from your dog that can include going to the bathroom in places they aren't supposed to. They are expressing they are upset with you or stressed from having you leave.

6. A general sense of anxiety when you're getting ready to leave and them having behavioral outbursts right before you go or while you are gone.

"Why does my dog follow me everywhere?"

ANSWER: Dogs need their owners!

Keeping your dog happy means encouraging and teaching them to be alone for a couple hours during the day. This can include crate training, rewards, proper socialization or even medication from your vet if needed. If your dog also drastically alters in personality, it could be a sign he's sick, so please don't ignore any changes in personality or behaviors. You must talk to your vet or a behavioral trainer if you start to see signs in your dog that go beyond just being a happy, friendly people dog.

Having an attached pet dog can make an owner feel pretty good, knowing your companion always wants to be around you, follow you everywhere and is happiest at your side. You just have to make sure you have a good balance of healthy, well socialized dog vs. a dog having a neurotic case of separation anxiety, and it can be hard to tell the difference sometimes. A good rule of thumb is that your pet misses you but can be content by themselves for short to medium lengths of time, without you coming home to a completely destroyed house, or your neighbors wanting to strangle you for a dog that howled the entire time you were gone.

Reinforce desired behaviors - this includes simple things like you being able to leave and come back. A confident happy dog will not be worried you are going to abandon them, even if they wish to go with you.

Reinforce training techniques - like sit, stay, come. This helps the bond between you and your dog. Make sure they get plenty of exercise and positive attention. This should help reduce the likelihood of their attention being anything other than the most devout love for you.

So why does your dog follow you everywhere? Remember, dogs often want a job, or a purpose, and they are often quite happy to make their Master their life's purpose. Just make sure you control how this is expressed and you two should get along great!

Credit: Suzana S.