Your dog has suddenly started following you everywhere. She follows you from room to room. She wants to be with you more than she wants to be with her toys. She follows you when you take her for a walk. She has started following you spontaneously. What is the cause of this behavior? This post will show you likely causes and what you can do about it.
So, why is my dog following me everywhere? Likely reasons why your dog is following you everywhere are separation anxiety, a change in its environment, a change in its diet, or learning that the behavior is rewarded.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog has suddenly started following you everywhere and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your dog is suddenly following you everywhere
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Separation anxiety
The reason why your dog has been doing it could be that it has gotten some separation anxiety. This would be more likely if your dog has been getting anxious when you are leaving by doing things such as crying or pacing. It would also be more likely if your dog started following you since you started being away from it for longer such as if you started working longer hours or making it sleep in a different room than you.
A change in its environment
It might also be the case that a change in its environment has been causing it to get anxious. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since a change in its environment such as since you got a new pet, you moved homes or since the home became noisier.
Getting less exercise
It could also be the case that your dog has been following you around because it wants exercise. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since you started giving it less exercise or since you started exercising it later than usual.
A change in its diet
Another possible cause is that there has been a change in its diet. This would be more likely if your dog has been following you around since you started feeding it a different diet or a lower amount of calories.
Injury or illness
It could also be the case that an injury or illness has been causing your dog to feel vulnerable. This would be more likely if it started doing it since it has been showing signs of being injured or ill such as limping, not moving around as much and being fatigued when awake. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Encouraging the behavior
It could also be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. If you have been giving your dog things such as toys, treats or extra attention, when it follows you around, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.
What else happened when your dog first started following you
It would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started following you since it could bet he case that there was an event that caused it to start. For example, if it started doing it since you started working longer hours, it could be the case that it has some separation anxiety. Whereas, if it started doing it since a change in its diet, the cause might be that it is hungry.
The body language it shows
It would also help to consider the body language your dog shows. If it shows signs of being excited such as by wagging its tail and having its tongue out, the cause could be that it is waiting for exercise or that it has learned that the behavior is rewarded. Whereas, if it does things such as pace or cry, the cause could be that something is causing it to be anxious.
What to do about your dog suddenly following you everywhere
Below are some things you can do when dealing with the behavior.
Get help
If your dog has been showing signs of illness or injury or your dog has been being very anxious, it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your dog and to rule out medical causes.
Avoid encouraging it
If your dog seems to have learned that the behavior is rewarded, it would also help to reward your dog when it behaves the way you want it to and to avoid rewarding it when it does not by ignoring it until its behavior changes.
Ensure it is getting the right diet
It would also help to ensure that it has been eating the right diet and that it has been eating the right amount of calories.
Ensure it is getting enough exercise
If your dog is following you around the house everywhere you go, you might want to give them a little more room to roam. Why? Because your dog is probably bored with its routine. Dogs like to have new things to do and new places to go, just like us. That’s why you have to provide your dog with new toys and different places to explore. It would also help to ensure that it is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
Limit reasons why it might be anxious
It would also help to limit reasons why it might be anxious without you such as by letting it outside to pee or poo before leaving it and letting it stay in a cool and quiet room, where there is space for it to lie down, while you are away.