Have you ever wondered why your dog seems to be attached to your hip? Why do they follow you everywhere, even in the bathroom? If you’ve ever had a dog, you know that they can sometimes seem like Velcro – permanently attached to your side, no matter where you go.
It might seem cute when your dog follows you around constantly, but it could be a sign of something else. As it turns out, there are a few reasons your furry friend might be so clingy. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind a dog’s seemingly constant companionship and what you can do if you find it overwhelming.
Breed Traits
Have you ever noticed that your dog always seems right by your side, no matter where you go in the house? While it might be annoying at times, there’s actually a reason for your canine companion’s constant companionship – and it has everything to do with their breed traits. Some dog breeds are more likely to follow their owners around than others. Here are two of the main types.
Herding Dogs
The first category includes herding dogs, those bred for hunting/working purposes, like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies, as well as retrieving breeds, like Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. These dogs were bred to work closely with their human counterparts, so it’s no surprise they’ve retained the instinct to stay close to the people they love.
Companion Breeds
Dogs in the second category include popular lap dogs like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Yorkshire Terriers. These small breeds are specifically bred to be companions for humans, so again, it makes sense that they would want to stay close to the people they love. Other companion breeds include Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Shih Tzus.
Of course, even within these two categories, individual differences will exist. After all, every dog is unique! However, if you find that your dog seems incredibly clingy or always wants to be right by your side, chances are good that it’s simply in their nature to do so – thanks to their breed traits.
Reasons Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere
Have you ever noticed that your pup seems to be following you everywhere? If so, you’re not alone. Many dog owners have detected this behavior in their furry companions and often wonder why they do it. While there could be any number of reasons for this behavior, here are eight of the most common reasons why your dog may be shadowing your every move.
1) Human and Animal Bond
One of the most likely reasons your dog follows you everywhere is because of the strong bond they share with you. This is especially true if you are their primary caretaker.
Your dog sees you as a source of food, shelter, and love, so it makes sense that they would want to stay close to you as much as possible. Generally speaking, the closer your bond is with your pup, the more likely they will follow you around.
2) They Want Food
Another possible reason your dog is following you is that they want food. Dogs are experts at begging and will often follow their owners into the kitchen, hoping to get a scrap from the table.
If this is the reason why your dog is following you around, try ignoring them when they beg and only giving them attention when they are quiet and sitting calmly nearby.
3) Boredom
Another common reason why dogs follow their owners everywhere is that they’re bored. Boredom is common in puppies and young dogs who have a lot of energy but not much else to do.
If your dog doesn’t have much to do throughout the day, they may start following you to find something interesting. This is especially true if you work long hours and don’t have any other pets for them to play with.
To help alleviate this problem, make sure to give your dog plenty of toys and attention when you’re home so that they don’t get bored.
4) Need a Potty Break
Dogs have the instinct to relieve themselves in an appropriate spot away from their sleeping and eating areas. If your pup is following you, they may need a potty break.
Pay close attention to signs your dog needs to go outside, such as sniffing around, circling, or whining. If you think your dog needs to go potty, take them out immediately so they can relieve themselves in an appropriate spot.
5) Anxiousness
Have you ever noticed that your dog seems to follow you around everywhere you go? It’s not just because they love you (although that’s certainly part of it!) – some dogs may be experiencing separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a condition in which a dog becomes agitated or stressed when they’re away from its owner. This can manifest in several ways, including clinginess, barking, whining, pacing, and destruction. In addition, separation anxiety is often the result of prior trauma, such as being abandoned or rehomed.
Rescue dogs are especially prone to separation anxiety, as they may not have had the best experiences in their previous homes. If your dog seems particularly anxious or stressed, try to give it plenty of attention and affection to let them know they’re loved.
6) They Are Trying to Tell You Something
If your dog is following you everywhere, it might be trying to tell you something. Dogs are not able to talk like humans, so they use their actions and behavior to communicate with us.
If your dog tries to tell you something, it will usually follow you around and stare intently at you. Your pup may also bark or whine while trying to get your attention. Pay close attention to your dog’s body language and see if you can figure out what it’s trying to say.
7) They Are Afraid
In some cases, dogs follow their owners around because they are afraid. This is most common in rescue dogs or dogs that have been through traumatic experiences. If your dog is afraid, it will usually stay close to you and avoid being left alone.
They may also have a wide variety of other fear-related behaviors, such as cowering, shaking, panting, and pacing. If you think your dog is following you because they are afraid, be sure to talk to your veterinarian or a certified animal behaviorist.
8) Reinforcement
Finally, your dog may follow you everywhere because they’ve learned that it’s an excellent way to get attention or treats. If your dog follows you around and gets rewarded every time (e.g., being petted or receiving a treat), the behavior will probably continue because it has been reinforced.
In these cases, the best thing you can do is try to ignore your dog when they’re following you and only give them attention when they’re behaving in a way you want them to (e.g., sitting down beside you calmly).
If Your Dog Is Constantly Following You Around, When Should You Start To Worry
Is Your Dog A Velcro Dog?
Unless it bothers you, there’s no need to worry if your dog follows you around a lot. A velcro dog is a term used to describe a dog that loves spending time with its owner and follows them everywhere they go. According to the AKC, dogs are natural pack animals, and people become their pack.
While some people might find this behavior annoying, it’s actually pretty common for most dogs. From a genetic standpoint, dogs are programmed to spend time each day stalking their owners. In the wild, this behavior helped ensure that the pack would stick together and increase the chances of survival.
While we no longer live in the wild, velcro dogs still inherit this instinctual behavior. So, unless it’s really getting under your skin, there’s no need to worry if your dog is always following you around. In some ways, domesticated dogs are now ‘bonded’ with humans, just like children are.
Destructive Behaviors
According to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, if your dog’s habit of following you around is problematic, it may depend on other behaviors that you’re seeing.
These can include aggression in the form of biting or other destructive behavior and signs of depression like a loss of energy or appetite and withdrawal from social interactions. For example, if your dog suddenly starts following you around everywhere, it could signify something is wrong.
Dogs are social creatures, so if yours seems tired or withdrawn all the time, it could be a sign of depression. Anxiety can also lead to excessive dog attachment behaviors. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior, it’s best to consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Professional Help
Anxious dogs who are bonded with their owner often have separation anxiety,’ meaning they feel stressed when away from them. If your dog displays anxiety or misbehaves, it may be time to seek professional help. This means making an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any possible medical problems.
If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you’ll need to take some steps to help reduce your dog’s anxiety. This may include ensuring that your dog gets enough exercise; a tired dog is usually less likely to misbehave. You may also want to consider enrolling in a dog training class; this can help dogs learn how to cope better with their anxieties.
Achieving a Healthy Balance for Your Canine Companion
If your dog loves being close to you and receiving attention but is okay when left alone, these approaches might work best for you.
- Not only is spending time with your canine beneficial for you, but it also betters their social life by continually exposing them to other people and animals.
- If your dog has too much energy, tiring them out with physical and mental exercise may help them relax. A tired dog is less likely to be bored or restless and more likely to stay where you want them to.
- If you live with other people, have them share the dog-walking responsibilities.
- By placing toys and treats near the dog bed, your furry friend will be incentivized to stay put. Then, reinforce the behavior by teaching commands such as “place” and “stay,” followed by praise or a treat when he follows through.
- If your dog seems shy or clingy, it may help to encourage him to explore his surroundings on his own. For example, let him roam around the room or another area alone for short periods. This will help build his confidence and allow him to see that he doesn’t always need you by his side.
- Dogs are creatures of habit. If you train them to stick to a set of rules, they will follow those guidelines perfectly.
- For example, if you don’t want your dog sleeping in bed with you every night or getting food off the dinner table, train him early on to avoid those behaviors. On the other hand, if your pup is too clingy for your liking, speak with a professional dog trainer about some solutions.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that your dog loves you and is only behaving this way because they’re feeling stressed; with a little patience and understanding, you can help them through this tough time.
If your dog follows you everywhere and it’s starting to become a problem, consult your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist for tips on how to correct the behavior. In the meantime, continue showering your pup with love and affection—they’ll appreciate it more than you know.
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- *photo by Zaitceva – depositphotos