Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

In daily life, we often witness such lovely and amusing scenes: wherever the owner goes, the dog follows closely. This shadow-like companionship is not only an expression of the pet dog’s loyalty to its owner but also a reflection of their innate nature and emotional needs.

Why do dogs always follow their owners?

(1) Viewing the Owner as a Parent

Dogs are naturally clingy pets, and many times, their love for their owners reaches the level of seeing them as parents in their hearts. For dogs with deep affection, they naturally want to stick close to their “mom and dad,” afraid of getting separated. In the dog’s world, the owner is their reliance and a warm harbor. Research shows that about 60% of dogs view their owners as parent-like figures. This emotional bond makes dogs consciously follow their owners wherever they go, both at home and outside, hoping to always be with them.

(2) Pack Mentality

Dogs are pack animals and dislike being alone. When going out, they prefer to be accompanied by others, and the owner is their companion. For herding dogs, they also have a managerial instinct, consciously supervising their owner’s footsteps, constantly looking back to check if the owner is falling behind. This behavior stems from their nature. In the wild, moving in packs increases the chances of survival. Now, dogs see their owners as part of their pack, so they follow them closely when going out for walks or socializing.

(3) Strong Curiosity

It’s said that curiosity killed the cat, but dogs also have a strong curiosity. They enjoy exploring the new world and are always sniffing around. Dogs follow their owners to a large extent because they are curious about what the owner is doing, where they are going, and if they might be going to eat something delicious without them. Driven by curiosity, dogs want to understand every move their owners make, as if embarking on an exciting adventure. Data shows that dogs spend several hours each day exploring and sniffing.

(4) Protecting the Owner

In addition to their natural loyalty, many dogs have a protective instinct towards their owners. Motivated by love and a desire to protect, dogs will actively follow their owners, escorting them. Even without a leash, they will follow closely. For example, when a stranger approaches the owner, the dog will immediately become alert and stand by the owner’s side to protect them. If a dog doesn’t know how to follow or protect its owner, the owner can use treats as rewards to train the dog to follow off-leash and protect them.

(5) Fear of Being Abandoned

Dogs have a short lifespan of only about ten to fifteen years, and they reach adulthood at eight months. Their hearts are small, only capable of holding their primary caregiver. Therefore, dogs worry that their owners will leave them behind. This fear makes them always want to follow their owners. Owners should give their dogs more love and companionship, making them feel safe and warm.

The Impact of Dogs Being Overly Clingy

Although it’s often heartwarming to have a dog always following you, it can also bring some impacts. On the one hand, if the owner finds the dog too clingy, it might become annoying. For example, when working or needing to focus on something, the dog’s constant following can distract the owner. On the other hand, if the dog always follows the owner, it may lack independence and feel anxious and uneasy when the owner is not around.

How to Help Your Dog Stop Following You Everywhere

Cultivate Independence in Your Dog

• Communication Method: Before going out, kindly tell the dog that you’re leaving and ask it to wait at home nicely, promising a tasty treat upon your return. You can give it some delicious snacks or spread something it loves on a toy bone or chew toy.
• Confidence-Building Method: Dogs with strong confidence are less prone to anxiety. Play games with your dog, and lavish praise on its excellent performance during the games to boost its confidence.
• Gradual Separation Method: Give the dog a treat, then leave for a few minutes before returning. Gradually increase the separation time to help the dog adapt to your brief absences.
• Exercise Method: Before going out, take your dog for some outdoor exercise to tire it out. When it returns home, it will likely be tired and want to sleep.
• Attention-Shifting Method: Give the dog an old piece of clothing or sock that smells like you, making it feel like you’re still with it. At the same time, provide it with some fun toys to focus its attention on play.

Crate Training

• Create a Good First Impression: When first introducing the dog to the crate, make it a positive experience so it leaves a good impression. Keep the crate spacious and attractive, with a comfortable bed or cushion inside.
• Consider Using Training Pens and Baby Gates: If you’re a working person, you can set up a “baby gate” for the dog to allow it to move within a defined area.
• Start with Small Steps: Each mealtime, encourage the dog to enter the crate and reward it with its meal. Help the dog understand that the crate is not a place of “confinement” but a space for rest.
• Gradually Develop the Habit of Entering the Crate: When the dog feels comfortable in the crate, you can do other things, leaving it there, and intermittently give it some rewards. Gradually extend the time the dog spends in the crate to help it adapt to being alone.
• Don’t Fear Setbacks During Training: It’s normal for the dog to resist or regress during crate training. Consider installing a camera at home to monitor the dog remotely and adjust accordingly.

In summary, dogs follow their owners out of love and dependence. However, if this behavior affects the owner’s life, appropriate training methods can be used to teach the dog to be independent, allowing both the dog and the owner to live more comfortably.