Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

Why does my dog always follow me around?

In case your Dog follows you around all the time, you'll either find it cute or become tired of nearly falling over him all the time.

In any case, understanding some of the logic behind why the Dog may be continuously at your side is beneficial.

A rapid shift in behaviour is especially troubling because it could indicate a medical or behavioural issue.

If your Dog suddenly begins to follow you, he may be in pain or suffering and seeking attention or comfort.

Here are some of the reasons why your Dog could follow you around.

Your dog adores you.

If the Dog follows you around everywhere, it's an indication that they adore and love you.

The hormone oxytocin gets released when Dogs get to interact with people they like.

When you're near someone you like, oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," makes you feel warm and cosy.

Dogs are extremely social creatures who enjoy spending time with their owners.

Your dog's entire world revolves around you, and having you around is an essential part of their lives.

They appreciate spending quality time with their closest friend because you make them feel joyful, comfortable, and safe.

Even though they don't always understand what "personal space" means, the fact that they desire to be near you is huge praise.

When they follow you, they get rewarded.

What do you do when the Dog follows you around? Do you ignore them, or do you offer them a stroke, a cuddle, or perhaps a small bit of food? The Dog may have figured out that they will get wonderful stuff if they stick close to you.

When you give them confidence, attention, and goodies every time they follow you, they will continue to do so.

They are bored

Your Dog may be following you around in search of something to do.

It might be more intriguing to observe what you are committed to, mainly if a stroke or a surprise is possible.

Suppose you don't think the Dog is getting sufficient mental as well as physical stimulation.

In that case, you may seek to find other measures to make life interesting for them, like taking them on longer or more frequent walks or providing them with food puzzles or chew toys to play with.

They are curious about what's going on.

Dogs are inherently curious creatures who want to know what's going on.

They may follow you around since you're the "in" person and "gateway" to all things fascinating to them.

Your dog's inquisitive nature, mixed with a severe case of fear of missing out, popularly abbreviated as FOMO means they're constantly underfoot and practically sticking their nose into almost everything.

They are looking forward to seeing you.

Dogs are fantastic at picking up on their daily routines.

If it's almost time for a walk or a meal, your Dog will probably notice, and it may follow you around your house, pestering you to hurry up.

Dogs are also excellent at analysing our body language and detecting hints as to what we intend to do next.

If you intend to do something interesting, they will follow you about in the hopes that you will do it soon.

They are attempting to communicate with you.

Try following your Dog if he or she is whining, is barking or pacing back and forth.

It's conceivable that they will need additional water, food, or to go outdoors to use the restroom.

If your Dog starts following you around and is more clinging than usual, it may be a sign that they're sick and need some extra love and reassurance.

If you have any concerns regarding their health, you should speak with your veterinarian.

It's a natural process.

Following you around is part of your dog's normal social behaviour, which involves watching and following what you do to establish a positive bond with you.

This is known as allelomimetic behaviour, and it serves a variety of functions.

It's a method of forming and maintaining social ties.

It's a form of self-preservation - being with someone you can trust is a great place to be, and replicating their behaviour is part of the learning process.

They are terrified.

Your Dog regards you as their defender and guardian, and you help to keep them secure.

Some Dogs are terrified of certain noises, like thunderstorms and fireworks, and they may trail you around looking for comfort.

When your Dog is terrified, their ears will pin back, their eyes will widen, and they will pant more than usual.

They may only want to be near you if they are afraid and refuse to play, eat, or drink.

There are a few things you can do to make your Dog feel safe and secure amid fireworks and thunderstorms.

Is my dog suffering from separation anxiety?

There is a significant difference between a Dog who loves being with you and another Dog that becomes concerned when you are not present.

Separation anxiety causes Dogs to crumble when they are separated from their humans, and it has a mental and physical impact on them.

Separation anxiety is a frequent problem in dogs, and the COVID-19 epidemic is likely to make it worse.

Dogs with separation anxiety frequently follow their humans about the house and grow more worried right before and after they leave, exhibiting the following behaviours:

• Barking

• Having accidents inside the house

• Chewing shoes, furniture or otherwise being disruptive, particularly near the front door or near windows.

• Some Dogs will gradually calm down, while others will remain this way until you return.

• Regularly being worried can result in long-term mental and physical health problems, so if you suspect your Dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you should consult your veterinarian or an animal behaviourist right once.

How do you get your dog to quit following you around everywhere?

You and your Dog have a close link, and they deserve a lot of positive contact from you, but it's also crucial that you work on increasing their confidence as well as helping them manage when you are not there.

Here are some pointers on how to make your Dog feel more at ease in their own company while also giving you the space you may require.

Keep your dog occupied.

If they're bored, distract them by offering them a chew toy, or even food-filled challenge to play with.

If the Dog has a lot of toys, consider using a toy rotation system.

To keep things intriguing and thrilling, you may store some away and bring them out later.

Installing baby gates is a good idea.

These can assist your Dog in becoming accustomed to being alone while also allowing them to look through the gates.

In case they appear anxious, try distracting them with a food puzzle or a toy, or begin towards the gate and slowly move away and later out of their sight.

Pay close attention to them.

Give them plenty of support and let them recognize they are doing what you expect them to do when they stop chasing you around and quiet down or begin doing something else.

Consider your behaviour.

Do you pay attention to your Dog when it follows you around? If that's the case, you might be unwittingly urging them to do just that.

Reduce your attention to them and encourage them when they quiet down or begin doing something else.

Never scold your dog if he or she follows you around.

If they're following you because they're worried, this could make them even more concerned, worsening the problem.

Give your dog lots of exercise daily.

Consider how much exercise the Dog receives and how much you believe they require.

Make an effort to walk your Dog more often and for longer periods.

They can feel more enriched by throwing a ball or even playing a game.

Silence should be avoided.

Leave the Television or even radio on for the Dog when you walk away to make the home appear less quiet and more pleasant.

Teach them how to stay put.

Encourage the Dog to stay put, and then gradually increase the space between you.

Begin by taking one step away and progressively increase your distance until you are in a separate room.

Take your time and give them an abundance of support.

Don't make a scene.

When leaving or returning home, try not to give the Dog too much attention - easier said than achieved when you are met by a Dog who is overjoyed to see you!

Assist them with socializing.

Allow your Dog to bond with other people and Dogs as much as possible to help them gain confidence.

Teach your dog to return to his or her bed.

This will provide them with a safe haven if you need some alone time.

If they require more encouragement to stay in bed, place toys and goodies near their bed.

Seek assistance from others.

If your Dog is very attached to you, consider enlisting the help of other adults in the house to accompany the Dog for a stroll.

Assist your dog in gaining confidence.

Participate in a Dog sport like obedience, agility, rally, or flyball.

Inside the house, play games.

Hide and seek, or even scent work are two games that might help your Dog appreciate being away from you.

Desensitize them to the fact that you are leaving the room.

In case your Dog jumps up when you do, alternate standing and sitting until they settle down.

Then try standing up and leaving the room.

If they begin to follow you, stroll around the house until they are bored and stop following you.

Then try to get out of the room.

If they continue to follow you, continue going out and in of the room until they stop.

Don't make it a game; simply ignore them till they become bored.

It takes a lot of time and effort to train your Dog to be content in their own company, but it will help them feel more secure in themselves.

If you have tried a few of these tactics and aren't seeing any results, consult a behaviourist for help.

• When should you seek assistance because your Dog follows you around everywhere?

• If you suspect your Dog is suffering from anxiety, consult your veterinarian or a behaviourist.

• You are concerned about your dog's well-being.

• You are concerned that their behaviour is deteriorating.

• It's fine to have your space if your dog's behaviour is bothering you.

Which breeds are most likely to stick with you?

For thousands of years, humans have bred Dogs resulting in the wide variety of varieties we see today.

Each breed was developed for a particular purpose, with breeders choosing Dogs with the characteristics that best suited their role.

These features have become inbred into their personalities through time, and many of the daily behaviours reflect this.

Some breeds are predisposed to following you around your house simply because it is in their nature.

Some Dogs have been trained to spend a lot of time with their masters, working beside them and monitoring their every move for the next command, so they may be eager to stay by the side.

Some of the breeds include:

• Affenpinscher.

• American Pit Bull Terrier.

• Doberman Pinscher.

• French Bulldog.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

• Chihuahua.

• Golden Retriever.

• Great Dane.

Conclusion for dogs following you everywhere

If your Dog follows you around, it means they love and trust you and also that you give them a feeling of being safe.

following you closely could indicate that they're bored, want something, are terrified, or simply nosy.

It's also natural for them to observe and follow what you're doing to keep a positive relationship with you.

Dogs naturally like to stay near to their owners, but some might be overly attached or even nervous when their person leaves.

You can make your Dog gain confidence in various ways, but if you have any concerns, you should always visit your veterinarian or a behaviourist.