Exactly why is my dog always by my side?
Updated on April 16, 2023
If you have a dog, you know what it’s like to have a four-legged shadow follow you around the house as you do things like walk from room to room, prepare meals, and even use the restroom. It’s either soothing, endearing, or frustrating to have a constant friend, but why does your dog follow you around all the time, and is that normal?
Why does my dog follow me everywhere?
A dog’s willingness to follow you around is an indication that he or she loves and trusts you and feels secure when you are around. If someone is following you around like a puppy, it could mean they are bored, curious, afraid, or just plain inquisitive. Keeping tabs on your actions and mimicking them is also a natural social behaviour that will serve to keep the relationship with you strong. While it is natural for dogs to want to spend time with their owners, some might become overly attached and even frightened when their masters leave the house. If you’re worried about your dog’s self-assurance, there are a lot of things you can do, including talking to a veterinarian or a behaviourist.
Your dog loves you
If your dog always seems to be close behind you, it probably adores you very much. The hormone oxytocin is secreted when dogs are around a person they like. The hormone oxytocin is responsible for the fuzzy feeling you get when you’re with someone you care about. Dogs are highly sociable pets that thrive when spending time with their human families. To your dog, you are the centre of their universe, and spending time with you is essential to their happiness. They love spending time with their best friend because of how happy, secure, and safe you make them feel. Even if they don’t understand the concept of “personal space,” the fact that they desire to be in your company is a huge compliment.
They get rewards when they follow you
How do you feel when your dog follows you everywhere you go? Ignore them, or do you occasionally pet and love them, or maybe feed them a little? Perhaps your dog has learned that if it follows you around, it will receive treats. It is more likely that they will continue to do what you ask if you provide them with positive reinforcement, like praise, attention, and rewards, for each time they do so.
They’re bored
If your dog is bored, it may follow you around. If there’s a chance of getting a stroke or a treat, it might be more fascinating to watch what you’re up to. If you don’t think your dog is getting enough mental and physical stimulation, you might want to consider providing them more challenging activities like longer or more frequent walks, chew toys, or food puzzles.
They want to know what’s going on
Dogs have a built-in curiosity for the world around them. They stick close because you’re the one with the inside scoop and the key to the world of fun and adventure. Due to their inquisitive nature and severe FOMO (fear of missing out), your dog is constantly in your way and has a habit of physically putting their nose where it doesn’t belong.
They’re waiting for you
Dogs are amazingly adept at picking up on and remembering new habits. Your dog may sense when it’s almost time for him to go for a walk or be fed, and he may follow you around the house to urge you to get moving. Dogs are also excellent at interpreting our nonverbal cues and anticipating our future moves. They will follow you around in the hopes that you will finally do the exciting thing they know you are intending to do.
They’re trying to tell you something
If your dog is making annoying noises like barking, whining, or pacing, you might want to follow them and see where they lead you. Possibly they’re thirsty, hungry, or in need of a trip to the restroom in the fresh air. There may be something wrong with your dog if they start clinging to you and following you around more than usual. If you have any concerns about their well-being, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
It’s a natural behaviour
Your dog’s natural social behaviour is to shadow you around and take interest in your activities, which might help him or her stay friendly with you. This is known as allelomimetic behaviour, and it has a few different functions. It’s a strategy for making and keeping friends. It’s a survival instinct; being in the company of a reliable person is comforting, and learning from them includes modelling their behaviour.
They’re afraid
Your dog looks to you for safety and security, and they rightly perceive you as their protector. Some dogs are easily frightened by loud noises, and they may follow you around in an attempt to feel safe. Dogs show fear by pinning back their ears, opening their eyes wide, and breathing rapidly. If they’re frightened, they might not feel like doing much of anything besides staying close to you. During loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms, there are a few things you can do to make your dog feel secure and calm.
Does my dog have separation anxiety?
There is a significant gap between a dog who is content while you’re present and one who becomes uneasy when you’re not. Separation anxiety manifests itself in both the mental and physical distress of a dog when separated from its owner.
The canine immunodeficiency virus (CoviD-19) pandemic is expected to increase the prevalence of separation anxiety. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety frequently display the following behaviours, including:
Barking
Having mishaps around the house.
Destructive behaviour, such as chewing furniture, shoes, or being very active around the front entrance or windows
While it’s possible that some dogs will calm down after a while, others may continue to act this way until you return.
There are long-term medical and mental health consequences to chronic stress, so if you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, it’s crucial that you consult your veterinarian or an animal behaviourist as soon as possible.
How to help your dog stop following you everywhere
While it’s necessary to shower your dog with praise and love because of how close you are to each other, it’s also crucial that you do things to boost their self-esteem and prepare them to handle life on their own when you can’t be there. Here are some suggestions for making your dog more comfortable being alone so you can have the time and space you crave.
Always have something for your dog to do. If they’re bored, give them something to play with, such a toy, chew toy, or food-filled puzzle. Consider instituting a toy rotation system if your dog has multiple playthings. To keep things fresh and intriguing, you can put some away and bring them back at a later time.
If you need to, you can try installing baby gates. It’s possible that these will aid in your dog’s adjustment to their new environment by allowing them to look outside the gates. If they appear nervous, try distracting them with a toy or a food puzzle, or begin near the gate and slowly back away until you are out of their sight.
You should pay them a lot of attention. Give them lots of praise and reassurance when they stop following you around and settle down or start doing something else instead.
Examine your actions. When your dog tags along, are you paying attention to it? If so, you might be unwittingly giving them permission to act in that way. You could try paying them less attention or praising them when they finally calm down and get busy doing something else.
A dog should never be punished for following its owner around. You might be adding to their anxiety if they’re following you because they’re worried.
Dogs need daily exercise just like people do. Consider the amount of exercise your dog currently receives and the amount you believe they require. Walk your dog more frequently and for longer periods of time. Playing a game or throwing a ball around can make them feel more fulfilled.
Don’t just sit there and say nothing. Leave the TV or radio on for your dog when you leave to make the house seem less empty and more inviting.
Instruct them to stay put. If you can get your dog to stay put, you can gradually increase the distance between you. You can work up to being in a completely different room by starting with just one step away. Inspire them greatly and proceed slowly.
Stop being so dramatic. This is easier said than done when you’re met by a dog that is overjoyed to see you when you return home after being gone.
Assist them in interacting with others. In order to boost their self-assurance, it’s important to socialise your dog with other animals and people frequently.
You should train your dog to sleep in its bed. If you ever need some alone time, they’ll have a safe haven there. You can help them stay in bed by placing goodies and toys nearby.
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. If your dog is very attached to you, have one of the other adult family members take him or her for a walk.
Do your best to boost your dog’s self-assurance. Participate in a sport involving dogs, such as agility, rally, obedience, or flyball.
Engage in some in-house recreation. Training your dog to be comfortable when separated from you can be accomplished through games like hide and seek or scent work.
Make them used to your absence. If your dog jumps up every time you stand up, try alternating between sitting and standing until they learn to stay put. Then you should try leaving the room by leaving it. Keep moving around the room, and eventually they will get bored and stop following you. Then, why don’t you just walk out? Keep entering and exiting rooms until they give up following you if they do. Don’t make it a game; just ignore them until they give up.
Putting up the time and effort to teach your dog to enjoy his or her own company can be challenging, but it will pay off in the end. Talk to a behaviourist for more guidance if you’ve tried several of these methods without success.
My dog follows me everywhere, so when should I get help?
Consult your veterinarian or a behaviourist if: you suspect your dog has anxiety issues
You’re concerned about the welfare of your pet dog.
Their worsening behaviour has you concerned.
If your dog’s behaviour is making you uncomfortable, it’s understandable to seek personal space.
Which breeds are more likely to follow you around?
The wide variety of dog breeds we see today is the consequence of thousands of years of selective breeding by humans. Dog breeders chose canine offspring based on their ability to perform a certain task. These characteristics may now be ingrained in their personalities and show up in many of their day-to-day actions. You might find that certain dog breeds are more devoted to following you about the house than others.
There are dog breeds that were designed to be constantly at their master’s side, working beside them and watching their every move for the next instruction, and these dogs may be especially eager to remain at your side. Some examples of these are:
Toy Vizslas from Hungary
Retrievers from Labrador
The Breed of Dogs Called a Border Collie
Dogs with golden coats
There are Shetland Sheepdogs.
Some toy dog breeds were developed specifically for human laps, so yours might feel most at home next to you and eagerly await the chance to cuddle. Such things could be:
Affenpinschers
Chihuahuas
Maltese \sPugs
The French Bulldog
Charlemagne, King of the Cavaliers Spaniels
German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers, for example, are both guard dog breeds that may seek a tight relationship with their human family.
Why is my dog suddenly following me?
Something may be wrong if your dog suddenly begins to follow you everywhere you go. It’s conceivable they’re sick, or they’re having trouble with one of their senses like sight or hearing. It’s possible that your dog is experiencing anxiety, is afraid of their surroundings, or has lately been traumatised. If this behaviour persists, a trip to the vet is in order.
Why does my puppy follow me everywhere?
Young animals learn who their carers are during crucial stages of development to increase their chances of survival. If you’ve been taking care of your puppy since it was a little infant, it’s likely that it has imprinted on you and now considers you its parent. If they trust you and feel comfy in your company, they may feel comfortable following you about.
Why does my dog follow me and no one else – do dogs pick a favourite person?
If Fido never goes anywhere else in the house but with you, it’s safe to assume that you’re the primary caretaker for him or her. Something tasty, kind, caring, or entertaining. Simply put, you’re the best canine caretaker in your family. Please consider this a compliment.
Why does my elderly dog follow me?
Dogs, especially older ones, may want extra reassurance that you will take care of them as they age. Arthritis pain and loss of sight, smell, and hearing can make people increasingly reliant on you for care. Dogs can develop a sort of dementia as they age, which can have an effect on their need for reassurance. Talk to your vet whenever you have concerns about your dog’s health.
Why does my rescue dog follow me everywhere?
Your rescued dog may be seeking your constant presence as a sign that everything is going to be well. It’s hard to say for sure if your dog had a tough time in their prior home, but it’s possible. Talk to a certified dog trainer or behaviourist in your area if you’re concerned about your dog’s self-assurance and would like to learn how to boost it.
Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?
If Fido is at all interested in what you’re going to do, he or she may tag along on that restroom break with you. Dogs have a unique perspective on the world. Because of their acute sense of smell, they find the odours emanating from a restroom to be incredibly intriguing and informative. A dog’s sense of smell is greatly enhanced by the company of a human in the restroom, which may not sound exciting to you.
Why does my puppy follow my older dog?
Your puppy may imitate your adult dog since doing so is instinctive, helps them learn what is expected of them as a group member, and promotes stronger bonds between them. A younger dog can learn the ins and outs of your home by shadowing an older one, as well as where to find the finest places to relax.
Find out more
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Think your dog may be affected?
Get in touch with your veterinarian promptly if you have any health concerns regarding your dog.
Please see your local veterinary clinic if you have any concerns regarding the topics discussed in this article; we are not a veterinary organisation and cannot offer veterinary advice.