Why does my dog suddenly keep following me? Surprising Answer

Fearfulness

Your dog can idolize you as their guardian angel. By following you at all times, they feel you will protect them against any forms of external threats.

The presence of unfamiliar people and animals can create a sense of fear and insecurity. For instance, my dog Dash was shy and scared of visitors at our home during the holiday season. He would never stay a few feet away from me. Some of the music and the loudness associated with the chit-chat were not well received by my dog. We had to take Dash out for a walk outside to calm him down.

When dogs lie near their master, they are sensing each emotion and happenings around them. Their mood is influenced by what you feel too. Sign Up FOR “PUP NEWS”

We only send quality info with absolutely NO Spam

Why does my dog suddenly keep following me?

Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Following You

Why does my dog suddenly keep following me?

Speaking from personal experience, my dog Dash (Corgi), who used to be so independent, suddenly started shadowing me almost everywhere. This act surprised me, and I decided to consult my registered veterinarian for their views. Do you want to know what the reason was? Before that, let’s describe some of the most common ones in this section.

What are the Reasons Why My Dog Follows Me?

If your dog follows you around constantly, you will likely either find it incredibly endearing or you will be tired of almost tripping over him all the time. Either way, it helps to understand some of the science behind why your dog certification might be constantly at your side.

Reinforcement. Often dogs will follow their owners if their bond is paired over time with a great deal of reinforcement. For example, if a dog learns that good things, such as food, pats, and fun activities come from a particular person, they may be more likely to follow that person.

Breed traits. Some breeds, especially those that have been bred for centuries to work with people, are more likely to be “velcro dogs.” A velcro dog is one that follows you around and wants to be by your side at all times. Often called clingy, velcro dogs have a desire to be close to their owners.

Companionship. Perhaps the most obvious reason, some dogs simply prefer the companionship of their human owners. Over the process of domestication, natural selection has shaped dogs to become companions for humans. Domesticated dogs are now ‘bonded’ with humans in some of the same ways as children. In this sense, our bond with dogs is one that has evolved over the course of domestications.

Separation Anxiety. Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of the separation from their owners. Dog separation anxiety is often unknowingly encouraged by dog owners. We make a big fuss when we leave or come home, and in doing so we reward the dog’s concern with our absence, provoking in him even more stress every time we leave.

Why Does Your Dog Follow You Everywhere?

Lets say youve spent the past three hours binge-watching a true-crime documentary, as one does, and have finally paused for a popcorn refill and bathroom break. As soon as your feet hit the floor, your dog is up too. It joins you in the kitchen and trails behind you as you hit the restroom. And look, its great to have a canine companion after hours of grisly murder investigations, but a lack of bathroom privacy probably has you wondering, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” As you return to the living room with your four-legged, waggy-tailed buddy by your side, you might eye it with another question on the tip of your tongue: Is it normal for your dog to follow you everywhere? To that, dog experts say youre most definitely not alone. In fact, these questions are as ubiquitous among dog owners as “Why does my dog stare at me?” and “What does my dogs facial expression mean?” These are all fundamental aspects of dog behavior, just like how dogs circle before they lie down, get the zoomies, or chase their tails for no apparent reason.

In other words, its not just your dog that follows you everywhere. Everyone elses dogs play a canine version of follow-the-leader too. So lets unpack this doggy behavior and dive into the reasons why your pup may be following you at any given time. [rd-video id=”1362533″]