Dogs are loyal creatures that always want to be by our side.
From playing fetch in the park to sleeping on the couch at night, dogs don’t stray far away from us.
But what happens when they start to follow us wherever we go?
Why Is My Dog Following Me Everywhere?
Dogs often follow their owners for one reason or another.
Perhaps the owner just bought some new shoes, so the dog wants to know where they went.
Maybe the dog needs to relieve itself, and it follows its owner because he or she knows exactly where to guide him or her.
Or maybe the dog is anxious about going somewhere new.
It might follow its owner to make sure he or she doesn’t leave without the dog.
Or perhaps the dog is simply curious about all the things happening around him or her.
Whatever the reason, if your dog starts following you everywhere, it’s a good idea to consult a professional.
The Different Reasons Your Dog Might Be Following You
There are different reasons why your dog might be following you.
Some are more common than others, but all can cause your dog to act strange.
1. Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety affects many dogs.
It’s one of the most common issues pet owners face in terms of behavior problems.
When a dog experiences separation anxiety, it becomes afraid of being separated from its owner.
This fear causes your dog to follow you everywhere you go.
If your dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, separation anxiety may be to blame:
- Panting excessively
- Whining
- Licking/barking excessively
- Acting aggressive towards other people
- Showing signs of aggression towards other animals
These are some of the warning signs of separation anxiety.
If you notice these behaviors, you should seek professional help for your dog because they can be dangerous if not treated properly.
2. Your Dog Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an impulse control disorder that occurs in both humans and dogs.
It manifests itself through repetitive behaviors such as licking, barking, and scratching.
OCD tends to occur during stressful times, like when going somewhere new or leaving home.
When your dog starts showing signs of OCD, he will likely exhibit the following behaviors:
- Barking incessantly
- Scratching obsessively
- Licking compulsively
- Yelping excessively
- Walking in circles
- Digging holes
OCD is treatable, and there are ways to help your dog overcome this condition.
If you think your dog has OCD, contact a veterinarian immediately so that they can perform an exam to determine the exact diagnosis.
3. Your Dog Was Abandoned
When a dog is abandoned, it is often due to abuse.
The person who abandoned the dog may have been cruel to the animal, which caused him to develop serious behavioral issues.
The way a dog behaves after being abandoned can vary depending on how long ago the abandonment occurred.
Some dogs develop PTSD after being abandoned, while others do not.
In either case, the problem is the same – the dog no longer feels safe and secure.
He will likely begin to show signs of PTSD-like symptoms, including:
- Pulling on the leash
- Excessive barking
- Aggression toward other animals and people
- Urinating and defecating in inappropriate places
- Crying inconsolably
4. Your Dog Has Been Aggressive Towards Other Animals
A dog that has been aggressive towards other animals could suffer from a form of canine aggression called dominance aggression.
Dominance aggression is usually exhibited by males, although females can also exhibit this type of aggression.
Dominant aggression is typically triggered when a male dog tries to establish his dominance over another dog.
These dogs will often try to bite or intimidate the other dog.
They will also try to chase the other dog down or corner him.
This aggressive behavior can lead to injury if the dominant dog continues to bark and attack the subordinate dog.
If you suspect your dog was aggressive towards other pets, you should let a veterinarian examine him.
There are ways to train a dog to stop exhibiting dominance aggression, but it’s best to get the issue resolved before it escalates into something more serious.
5. Your Dog Has Been Aggressive Toward People
A dog with aggression towards people is called a “mutt”.
A mutt will often display a combination of aggressive traits towards both people and other dogs.
Sometimes, a mutt will only exhibit one type of aggression, but most often, he will exhibit both.
If you suspect your dog is a mutt, you should take him to a veterinarian.
They can determine whether he has a medical condition that needs to be treated.
Why Is My Dog Following Me Everywhere All of a Sudden?
There are many reasons why dogs might start following people all of a sudden.
There may be an underlying medical condition causing this behavior, like kidney disease or cancer.
It can also be caused by environmental factors, such as moving into a new place.
Dogs can also start following us because they have been separated from us for a long time.
This can happen during a move, if we leave them with a friend or family member for a few days, or even if we leave them in a boarding kennel overnight.
Sometimes, they will start following us around out of fear of being left alone.
How to Get Your Dog to Stop Following You Everywhere
If your dog starts following you everywhere, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.
According to PetMD, dogs with separation anxiety will become clingy and follow their owners around out of fear of being left alone.
Separation anxiety can cause excessive panting, whining, barking, and even aggression.
Here are some signs that your dog might have separation anxiety:
- Your dog stops going outside on its own.
- Your dog follows you everywhere.
- Your dog barks excessively whenever you leave the house.
- Your dog whines when you try to pet him.
- Your dog becomes aggressive towards strangers.
- Your dog refuses to stay home alone.
- Your dog chews furniture and carpeting.
- Your dog urinates or defecates in the house.
- Your dog bites or snaps at people when he wants attention.
If your dog exhibits any of these behaviors, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian right away because this issue needs immediate treatment.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Follow Their Owners Everywhere?
It’s normal for dogs to follow you around if you are their owner.
However, this behavior can also be seen in younger puppies, which is one of the reasons why it’s important to watch over your puppy closely until they reach adulthood.
When dogs follow you around, it doesn’t mean that they are desperate to be near you.
Instead, it shows that they are curious about what you do, where you go, and how you behave.
This behavior is called “free ranging,” and it’s a normal part of the socialization process of most puppies.
Free ranging is usually done between 10 months to two years old.
Once they reach this age, they will no longer need supervision because they have learned to live on their own.
They will still be curious about what you do and where you go, but they won’t need constant attention from you.
However, it’s not uncommon for older dogs to follow their owners everywhere.
This is especially true when there is an issue with the dog and their owners need to spend time together.
When this occurs, it’s important to ensure that the dog doesn’t feel like he is being abandoned.
Why Do Dogs Follow Their Humans Around?
The most common reason behind this behavior is separation anxiety.
When you leave your house, your dog wants to go with you.
They might bark and whine, but they also want to be near you.
This can cause some serious problems for both humans and pets.
If your dog starts following you everywhere, it could mean they have separation anxiety.
Dogs with separation anxiety may become clingy and follow their owners around out of fear of being left alone.
If your dog is exhibiting other signs of separation anxiety, such as excessive panting or whining, you should take them to the vet right away.
Here are some reasons why your dog might be following you around:
They are afraid of the vacuum cleaner
While vacuuming, your dog will probably run to you and sit next to you while whimpering.
This is because they are scared of the noise and are trying to get close to you.
They want to be near you because you feed them
If you give your dog treats and food regularly, they will try to follow you around so they can eat.
For example, if you are eating dinner, your dog will try to be near you so they can lick your plate.
Make sure you clean up after your pet before leaving the table.
Your dog is bored
If you spend all day working at home, your dog will probably follow you around.
As long as there isn’t any other activity going on, they will follow you around until you stop and play with them.
If you have a small yard, you can also use your dog’s boredom as an excuse to play with them.
They want to be near you to sleep
While being outside, your dog will probably follow you around to keep an eye on you.
Once you lay down to sleep, they will lie next to you and fall asleep.
Keep in mind, however, that this only works if you aren’t allergic to cats!
How to Stop Your Dog from Following You Everywhere
If your dog starts following you around like a lost puppy, you might think about separating them from you.
While this will solve the problem temporarily, it won’t help if your dog suffers from separation anxiety.
In this article, we’ll look at why dogs start to follow their humans and what you can do to stop them from following you around.
We’ll also explain how separation anxiety manifests in dogs and what you can do about it.
When to Worry If Your Dog Starts Following You Everywhere
Dogs can get anxious if they sense that something bad is about to happen.
They might start barking or growling, or even whimper and whine.
Some dogs also exhibit signs of separation anxiety.
As soon as their owner leaves, they will start following them around, hoping to make sure they
won’t leave them behind.
This behavior is very common for puppies who have not yet been properly socialized into the
world.
Puppies often grow up without the proper guidance and training.
They are likely to be nervous and afraid of strangers because they haven’t learned how to interact
with people.
They tend to show this insecurity through extreme behaviors like biting, lunging, and growling.
Separation anxiety can also manifest itself as excessive panting, which makes some dogs appear
as though they are panting all the time.
You can tell if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety if they seem to be overly worried about
being left alone.
It is important to note that these symptoms usually only last for a few days before they disappear.
However, if your dog starts showing these signs again after a short break, it is best to speak to a veterinarian immediately.
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