Why Does My Dog Always Follow Me?

By Gayle Hickman July 26, 2011 Behaviors Get Updates

Why does my dog always follow me?

Dogs are considered to be the happiest creatures on earth. They tend to have a special talent for expressing themselves.

I, for one, believe dogs show true emotions, such as love, fear and anger.

Angel, my pampered chihuahua, is very loving. She knows when it is time for “daddy” to come home from work each day. When it is almost that time, she will go to the door and sit. As soon as she spots his car turning in the driveway, she runs to find me. Back to the door she goes, waiting for her daddy to come inside. Once he’s inside, she always follows him everywhere for a while, jumping up on his leg for attention.

Experts believe this behavior is mostly about security. You are your dog’s world. When you leave for a long period of time, your pet’s security is thrown a bit.

If the constant following seems to be out of control, it’s possible that your dog has separation anxiety (which is becoming more common, since so many dogs are left home alone as their owners go off to work or school).

There are a few tips you can try, according to The Complete Healthy Dog Handbook:

1. Give your dog at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

2. Work on commands (sit, stay, come, etc.).

3. Leave your dog with a tasty distraction, such as a toy stuffed with a food treat.

If you have a “Velcro” dog — one that never seems to leave your side — A Better Life With Your Dog suggests that you start paying less attention to your pet. This seems insensitive, but you need to lessen the dog’s attachment to you. This is not being mean; it is keeping your puppy healthy. (Much like saying to a child, “I’m punishing you because I love you!”)

Does your dog sleep in the bed with you? You may be able to lessen its attachment to you by getting it a nice, comfy dog bed. Place the bedding on the floor beside your own bed. This doesn’t have to be a permanent setting; just do this until the separation anxiety has improved.

Dogs are social creatures. They detect change in routines, and need to know that things will soon get back to normal.

When you return home after a “leave of absence” and wonder, “Why does my dog always follow me everywhere?” know that your dog constantly follows you because he loves you. He is happy that his master has made it back to him.

Your clingy, jumpy pet is a family member who needs a little reassuring that you’ll be there for him.

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DISCLAIMER: Pets Adviser contains personal opinions and is not intended to diagnose, treat or give medical guidance. Consult a veterinarian, particularly in an emergency. [More Info]

http://www.doggydelight.co.uk David@ Bristol Dog Walking

I think different breeds has a lot to do with it too. I have a Labrador and a Bullmastiff. The Lab follows me everywhere regardless of exercise, but the Bullmastiff expects you to come to him if he’s to give you any attention!

Michele

I have a Lab also and totally agree with you. She’s a rescue and they had already named her Chica (sigh), but I would have named her Shadow. She’s always with me. Not pushy, but just there. I love it.

Ivory

Michele,

I think “Shadow” is a great name for a lab! How sweet she must be. Rescue dogs tend to follow more in my own experience.

I also have a rescue that is firmly attached to my side. She is blond with blue eyes and spotted feet like those of a cattle herding breed. She was abandoned in the mountains as a pup, and when we found her she suffered terrible illnesses. Since her rescue she has severe abandonment issues. I feel sad for her, that she will never trust that I won’t abandon her. :(

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Hi Ivory, thanks for stopping by. You’re right, it’s not uncommon for rescued pets to experience a separation anxiety from their new human pals. So sad.

Try not to get frustrated. In most cases, time and patience are the cures. For severe cases, consult a professional about your pet behavior problems.

Koors

I just got a Queensland heeler, mini Aussie mix. He follows the car when I leave. What do I do to make him stay by the house? We don’t have a fence.

KanKan

I’ve got my own rescue — 2, actually. The big guy is a shih tzu / lhasa apso cross, and the little girl is a shih tzu / poodle mix. While the little girl treats everyone like a footstool, she does react accordingly when scolded, and even shows her guilt before we’ve found the mess she’s made with whatever she finds.

The big guy, on the other hand, doesn’t make messes (unless someone leaves the garbage out), and is generally pretty quiet (being fixed really helped).

He has an issue with following both my father and myself around the house, however. Endlessly, unless he’s busy suckling on his favorite toys (we figure he was weaned too early). It’s annoying, sure, but I think after better understanding behavior, I can cope with having a dog stalk me day after day.

http://petsadviser.com Pets Adviser

Aww, how sweet. You’re right, though: there are worse behavioral problems he could have than loving you “too much.”

KanKan

Oh, I know. When we first brought him into our home, he was very aggressive, and would mark everything around the house (we had to put down our 17-year-old shih tzu a few months prior, and his scent was still fresh). Now we’ve learned where his boundaries lie, and don’t do things to irritate him, such as picking him up. I’m just glad he respects us as leaders now. We weren’t so lucky in the beginning, hah!

Cayne

I got a pit bull, and he follows me everywhere in the house and even outside the front and the back yard.

He does not like to be alone as I got him from the RASPC shelter, but when he needs to protect me from anyone, such as a group of 5 or more, he walks right beside me. But this is at night and he eyes them till they are gone and not in sight.

He even lets people know not to come in the house, cause he has a good deep bark and a growl to let them know this house is protected by him. Until I open the door and let the person in, he does this to anyone, even if he knows them.

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Awww, well that’s sweet, Cayne. It must be nice to have a pet who is so loyal and protective. Thanks for sharing your story with us! -Dave

ccomire

I have three dogs (choc. Lab, border collie and a sheltie), and they are all velcro dogs. OMG, I have to shut the bathroom door to be by myself. And they will lay right by that door with one paw under.

They do not follow my husband or my son when they leave the room, but as soon as I get up, “Boom” — they are on their feet watching my every move. I trip over them!

Please don’t get me wrong. I love them and adore them. But i need breathing room! They are up my butt every second. It’s like having your kids holding on to you and never letting go!

Erin

I know exactly how you feel, but I only have one dog (and three small kids). I couldn’t imagine having three dogs following me! Our Rottie/GSD mix follows me around, lays at my feet, if I’m working in the kitchen she stands right in front of me between my legs and the counter. She generally drives me insane. Sometimes I command her to go away but she gets so sulky and depressed and I feel so guilty.

Sigh.

Linda

My problem is my elder shih tzu has stopped following me around-she used to, till a few days ago, but now goes into the other bedroom, bedroom closet , or mud room, none of her traditional places….it’s very disconcerting. She won’t eat when her food is put down, waits about an hour or so-whats going on?

http://petsadviser.com Pets Adviser

Not sure what’s happening here. But being that this is a senior dog suddenly experiencing a change in routine, we’d see a vet just to rule out any medical issues.

Nikki

OK, so we were looking for a dog now for quite some time and finally my boyfriend comes across this ad on the web for a 4-year-old male dog. He’s chocolate Lab/some kind of bird dog.

He’s beautiful, but oh my gosh the second he hit the door and saw me he flew behind me shaking. I was stunned at how scared he was, but at the same time after living in a home with his family for 4 years and just being uprooted, I didn’t really blame him. In fact, I felt soooo bad for him, so I know I had some crazy vibes.

But OK, I’m so lost with him it’s not even funny because since the day he came running behind me he’s never — I mean never — left my side. We’ve had him for about a month now, and as I speak he’s hiding behind my chair. I can almost feel his nerves. Like I said, I’m lost because he is soooooo skiddish for a big guy — he jumps at every noise and he constantly thinks we’re gonna hit him.

I hate it. I love him so much. He gets so scared he’ll knock one of the kids down if he needs to get away. He barks at everyone who comes through the door and doesn’t stop till they leave, except he’ll hide behind me the whole time. It’s mainly men but some women who have came over. Even my boyfriend’s two boys when they come, but he usually just slowly walks up to them and sniffs, then he’s fine.

He paces around the house like crazy and sometimes I’m scared to get up cuz he’s finally passed out. I just need some ideas. As you all can tell I’m very confused.

http://petsadviser.com Pets Adviser

Hi Nikki,

It sounds like your dog may have been abused earlier, or he’s just anxious for whatever reason. You’ll need to build his trust over time, with a whole lot of patience and love.

It sounds like he trusts YOU now, since this dog always follows you and won’t leave your side. That’s a good sign. Is he wetting the floor involuntarily? That’s another sign of fear/anxiety.

In your interactions with him — and all other people’s interactions with him — you should do a few things to seem less threatening to the dog. Bend down to his level. Keep your voice cheerful. Don’t approach him — instead call him over and let him come to you (or to other people, like your boyfriend’s kids). Rub under his chin if he’ll let you — it’s a calming move. Give him treats to encourage his progress with social interactions. Get him used to being around men (desensitizing him).

It’s important that you not yell or express frustration, or spook him in any way. In time, this dog is going to give back so much to you and you’ll be so much the better for having him as your best buddy.

We’d suggest seeing a dog trainer or behaviorist to assess your pet and give you more pointers. Basic obedience training can help too.

Best of luck Nikki!

Tanmy

Hi,

I’ve got a 2-month-old Lhasa apso (brown). He is a very energetic and so lovable doggie. He is so sharp in learning and understanding things.

I feel happy for him for being so energetic and playful all the time, but at the same time he is very angry and doesn’t allow even me to handle him when angry. He chews almost EVERYTHING! His play-biting is becoming so bad. Though I try to divert him to his toys instead of my hand, he comes back with more force and bites much harder. I know that it’s a common thing among puppies. The worst part is that he was not in his litter for adequate days before coming to me. The breeder sold him when he was just a month-old puppy. I am worried about his temperament and anger.

I don’t tie him up at any time of the day. Is this the main reason for him to behave so? Will his anger subside as he grows older?

http://petsadviser.com Pets Adviser

Are you taking him on several walks a day, including one long 45-minute+ walk? Maybe’s he’s frustrated because he’s so energetic yet isn’t getting enough exercise. You may want to consider obedience classes.

Tanmy

Hi,

Thank you for your valuable advice. I was advised by my vet not to take him on to the road till he is 3 months old. That is the reason I wasn’t taking him for outdoor walks. I almost keep him on a run during his playtime (15 to 20 minutes, three or four times a day). As you said, he may be requiring more and more exercise.. :D

I try to calm him down when he is angry and growling with a stern “No!” I don’t think he can understand me well (Maybe I feel that he is too young for that).

I give him Royal Canin (Mini starter mother and baby dog food) three times a day. Does this affect him in his behavior?

http://petsadviser.com Pets Adviser

Right — 2 months is pretty young. The point is to let him work off some of that pent-up energy somehow. Long playtimes and lots of attention.

The food wouldn’t be causing those behavioral issues.

Shouting “No!” when he is angry and growling won’t get you anywhere; puppies aren’t children. Instead, you need to reward him when he “gets it right.”

For example, don’t ever offer your hand for him to chew on. Give him a toy, and praise him when he chews on the toy. See the difference? You’re not yelling at him, you’re praising him, nurturing him.

This is just our opinion, of course. Again, we’d highly recommend a few obedience classes or consulting a behaviorist.

Vanessa

We have a young dog (1 1/2) who is a pitt mix (according to the SPCA we rescued him from). We rescued him at 8 weeks of age.

When he was a puppy he would follow us around (totally normal). He stopped being so clingy, and my husband deployed for 6 months. He came home and was home for 5 months before leaving again. When he left, Rally became obsessive over me. We have a new baby, and I can’t spend as much time with Rally, but he gets his exercise and we have special time when the baby is asleep. His obsession has reached far beyond the cute puppy things. He feels the need to always be near me, to the point where if I move from one couch to the other, he follows. When I sit on the couch he either is lying on my feet or is standing with his head on my lap. It’s like he always has to touch me.

There is no aggression toward the baby whatsoever. My mom said he might be scared that if he isn’t always with me that I will leave too. Could this be the case, or am I doing something to make him feel insecure?
chris

my mother in laws chihuahua used to always keep to her self, now she wont stop following me and my wife around. she acting toataly out of her norm. anybody know whats going on here?
Ms Watts2014

Hey I have a three year old chihuahua & not fixed….he wanna b under me all the time he would circle my bed until I say okay get up here…..I hate driving with him because he cry all the time even if the window down or getting back in the car to go home from park…my main issue is y….
Ms Watts2014

Ps…..he very intelligent he listen & do wat I say!!!!

Why Does My Dog Always Follow Me?

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