One of the biggest reasons that humans bred dogs was for companionship. Why would my dog start following me around the house everywhere - I've had him for 12 years and he just started doing - Answered by a verified Dog Veterinarian We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. The big difference between separation anxiety and being a velcro dog is anxiety itself. Positive Reasons for Your Dog Following You Everywhere . But there have been days when you might have wondered, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” The answer has to do with your dog’s animal instinct and pack mentality. You can also keep your dog stimulated with puzzle toys, … Food. They live in packs, so it’s natural for them to fit into your family group. For instance, if a puppy discovers that beneficial things, for example, food, pats, and fun exercises originate from a specific individual, they might be … For example, if your dog sleeps in your bed, you might be creating a dependency and reinforcing his need to be close to you at all times. “If every time you are with your dog, he gets affection or treats, he’s likely to [follow you around] more often,” Dr. Barrack says. For this reason it is easy to see why dogs like to follow our every move. You just recently fed him so it can’t be possible that he’s suddenly hungry after just 3 minutes. And you keep asking yourself why does my dog follow me everywhere? Are you staring at your dog and petting him when he is following you around? Dogs with separation anxiety tend to follow their pet parents excessively and feel frantic or they panic when left alone. “Bonding with your dog is good for you,” says Dr. Barrack. They crave companionship. A tired dog is a calm dog. ). “Your dog may follow you everywhere simply because they like you and want to spend time with you!” Dr. Tu said. Dr. Liz McCalley is a medical director for a small animal practice in San Diego. You stumble out of bed, half asleep, to make that oh-so-necessary cup of coffee and nearly fall flat on your face because your dog is following you a little too closely. Because dogs respond to their owners’ behavior, it’s important to examine your relationship with your canine. While they’re both associated with not wanting to be away from an owner, there are some distinct yet subtle differences between these two forms of behavior. If you’re flattered by this true sense of affection, and unknowingly reward your dog for his clingy behavior, you’re sending him a message that it’s welcome. Should You Be Concerned About Your Dog Following You. “Just make sure that in the process you do not limit their social interactions with other dogs and people. Although it doesn’t necessarily mean they will, Velcro dogs are more likely to develop separation anxiety. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Do dogs think if they stalk us that there is a chance that they might get fed? Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, It’s six o’clock in the morning. Reasons Why Your Dog Goes After You All Over The House. And, when it becomes a problem? This is reinforcing his behavior because you are rewarding the behavior with your attention. Some breeds of dogs, like terrier breeds, are more independent and may be less prone to following their owners. Instead, try ignoring the undesired behavior and reward your dog by giving him a treat or scratches when he settles down onto his bed or takes his attention off of you to play with a toy. Even if they’ve just been fed, they’ll still take … You stumble out of bed, half asleep, to make that oh-so-necessary cup of coffee and nearly fall flat on your face because your dog is following you a, Following Behavior in Dogs: Why it Happens, Dogs were first domesticated at least 15,000 years ago (. According to Dr. Rachel Barrack, a licensed veterinarian certified in both veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbology with Animal Acupuncture in New York City, there are scientific reasons behind dogs’ clingy behavior. For instance, they had experienced something awful in the past. This will save you from further problems in the future since clinginess may lead to behavioral issues. We tell you some facts so that you can coexist without problems with all the wealth of affection that your hairy has to give you. Dogs are pack animals. You have questions, we have answers. When pet parents make a big deal about arriving home and leaving the house, this can worsen anxiety behaviors. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why your dog follows you? Whatever the cause is, you must train your dog to be more independent. That’s why The Dodo reached out to Dr. Andrea Tu, medical director at Behavior Vets NYC, to find out a little bit more. Your dog may follow you around because she is simply lonely or under stimulated. All rights reserved. But it should serve as a wake-up call to address the behavior before it reaches the point where your dog can not function without you in the picture. As anyone with a dog already knows, dogs are often inclined to follow their owners everywhere they go and to watch their every move, but there is actually more to this behavior than meets the eye. While velcro dogs are more susceptible to developing separation anxiety, it doesn’t automatically mean they will. One of the first “tricks” that a dog learns is how to follow his littermates. Why Does Your Dog Follow You Everywhere? © 2021 Great Pet Media. Why does my dog follow me everywhere? If your dog suddenly starts following you everywhere, try following him back and see if he is trying to lead you somewhere, like outside to go to the bathroom or to an empty water bowl. “Look at it from the dog’s point of view,” says Erin Kramer, a professional certified dog trainer and owner of Tug Dogs in Northern California. They've spent centuries serving as companions to humans, and that's something most of them really love to do. Dogs are really good human companions and they can get attached to their humans quickly. If you watch a group of weeks-old puppies in action, you’ll notice that the minute one dog stumbles toward his mother in search of milk, the others fall in line, knowing full well that he’s headed for something they all want. While an increase in shadowing behavior may be due to a behavioral or environmental issue, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. However, if this behavior becomes excessive or annoying to you, there are some things you can try at home to help limit your dog’s clingy behavior. A dog’s life experience before entering your home can play a big part when it comes to being fixated on one person, especially for dogs who have been rescued. If you have a dog that follows you all the time, even in the bathroom, you have a clingy dog. Many dogs will follow their owners around due to boredom. Our content and products are for informational purposes only. If your dog is laying around all day with nothing exciting to do, he may focus more on you and tend to follow you around more—especially if that is the only action going on around him. Dogs love people. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. Any change in their routine like a change in the … Most dog owners have experienced some variation of this scenario at some point or another, and, for some, it may even be a daily occurrence. Even when you go into the kitchen and bathroom? Is his attachment to me indicative of some sort of issue? If your dog is overly attached, it’s important to figure out whether this velcro behavior is part of his personality and breeding, or if something more serious is going on. Do not scold your dog for following you around because this can lead to fear and may also reinforce the behavior as a result of you giving your dog attention when the behavior is performed. What was their life like before they came to live with you? Many dogs are scared of certain noises, like fireworks or thunderstorms, and may cling to their pet parents during these times. Many dogs seem to love (or even need) to follow their owners around. “Those previous experiences have an impact on a dog and can contribute to the lingering fear of abandonment,” says Dr. Barrack. This will also distract his energy away from you. If your dog can’t seem to stop following you everywhere, it may be heading into “abnormal” territory. Also, what are the benefits of having a velcro dog and how to reduce the dog’s clinginess? While velcro dogs are constantly glued to their owner’s hip, dogs with true separation anxiety become anxious and panic when they’re away from their owners. Humans and dogs have a mutually beneficial relationship, each providing the other with companionship. Read below to find out. Most of the time your dog’s shadowing behavior is nothing to worry about. Puppies will typically follow their two-legged parents very closely and may do so less once they mature and become more confident in different situations. If no medical issues are detected, and you’d like to give your dog more independence, your veterinarian may be able to recommend a trainer or behavior specialist who can help you address or modify your dog’s following behaviors. These dogs seem to learn all the smallest cues, such as when you're about to get up and go to the kitchen, bathroom, or wherever you're heading. However, if shadowing behavior becomes excessive it may become annoying and can be dangerous to you or your dog if the behavior causes you to trip. If your dog seems to follow you around everywhere pestering you or looking for enjoyment, then they may be bored. But why do dogs follow you everywhere? So why does your dog follow you everywhere? AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Many dogs follow their people because they are anxious and insecure. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. You probably already know dogs are social animals. 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