Why does my dog follow me everywhere? If your dog follows you everywhere then it’s a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they’re bored, they want something, they’re feeling scared or are just being nosy. It is also part of their natural social behaviour, to watch and follow what you are doing to help maintain a good relationship with you. Wanting to be close to you is a normal behaviour for dogs, but some dogs may be too clingy or even become anxious when their owner leaves. There are a number of ways you can help your dog feel more confident, but you should always
Regularly being stressed can lead to long-term physical and mental health issues, so if you think your dog may have separation anxiety then it’s important that you
My dog follows me everywhere, so when should I get help?
Lack of Confidence or Anxiety
Some dogs rely on our social presence because they’re actually nervous about being alone. This can be a symptom of separation anxiety according to some studies. But many dogs that are generally “worried about life” also exhibit shadowing behavior, especially during storms or other worrisome times!
Watch your dog’s body language to determine if his shadowing behavior is motivated by fear of the unknown versus desire to be near you. An anxious dog may display pinned ears, wide eyes, grimaced panting, or increased tension as you get ready to leave. Dogs who are actually anxious might not be willing to eat a treat or play with a toy while you leave the room.
On the flip side, your dog may follow you around because you’re “The Bringer of Good Things.” If you regularly engage with your dog in a positive way, your dog is probably just following you because you’re a good person to be around! Take it as a compliment and keep it up.
Some breeds are simply more predisposed to following their owners around than others! Herding breeds like Border Collies and Shelties, as well as guardian breeds like Great Pyrenees and German Shepherds are especially prone to following their owners around. Humans bred these dogs for thousands of years to follow around flocks of sheep. In the absence of sheep or other livestock, these dogs may follow their owners instead.
Why Does Your Dog Follow You Everywhere?
Is your dog always by your side — even if you’re just in the bathroom or trying to get work done? While it may feel like an invasion of privacy, a dog following you from room to room is often harmless. In fact, it can be endearing knowing how much they love being with you. But sometimes it can seem a little excessive — even concerning. At that point, you might start wondering, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?”