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Once you've adopted a dog, and especially if you've never had one before, you can quickly see that the animal doesn't stop following us wherever we go. And it may be that this situation bothers you or that you are just looking for an answer to your behavior.
At PeritoAnimal we will tell you all the reasons and causes that give rise to this behavior in the dog, so keep reading this article that answers the question because my dog follows me everywhere.
the dog and his pack
Dogs have an innate social behavior within the pack so they tend to organize themselves in an invisible hierarchy that is not always measured by force as some believe. The Alpha Hierarchy and Position determines group survival.
All those people who have more than one dog will be able to observe that they always eat the same thing first, it also seems that they have priority over toys, a certain bed, etc. The pack's alpha dog is the one who provides food or allows certain actions to the rest of the group, transmitting knowledge to them. That's why your peers don't follow you because you're the strongest or the biggest, but because they know that under your command your ability to survive increases. Together they are stronger.
That's why the dogs usually follow who provides them with the comforts and privileges inside and outside the home. In addition, it is important to note that a dog will not only follow a leader for everything he will give him, in terms of food or objects such as toys, but also for the whole Love and affection that provide you.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than it loves itself."
my dog follows me everywhere
If you decided to adopt a dog or a dog from a animal shelter as an adult, it is normal to see this behavior in an exaggerated way. You must ask yourself if this attitude bothers you or not, and most importantly, if it is the result of a problem. Many owners feel good to feel the support of the dog behind them, others on the contrary do not accept this silent companionship of the pet.
Follow these advices to prevent your dog from always following you:
- To begin with, your puppy must learn two basic orders: sit and be quiet. Learning all kinds of basic orders for dogs is essential for them to understand what is expected of them.
- Always use positive reinforcement in training these orders by offering him dog treats. You must have patience and be constant. Remember that a mentally stimulated dog will be a healthier and happier dog. For this reason, in addition to teaching you basic essentials for your daily routine, you will be generating more confidence and little by little you will notice a decrease in the dependent attitude. I rewarded him whenever he deserved it and he did a good job.
- Accept your company. remember that the dog is a social animal. Stop playing with him if you hurt him or if he's tired, but don't avoid relating to him. Teach him orders and tricks and congratulate him if he plays with other pets. It is very important that you feel socialized and happy.
- You can try to minimize self-reliance by adopting a dog at a shelter.
Always remember that the dog's natural attitude it's living in a group. Although there are more distant puppies and others that are more attached, everyone needs to relate and enjoy the company with other humans and puppies.
separation anxiety
But in addition to our favorable or unfavorable attitude, there is another factor that influences this behavior and which is very important to be addressed: a separation anxiety. If left untreated, separation anxiety creates an insecure, suspicious, and fearful personality in your puppy.
Some causes of separation anxiety are:
- spend a lot of time away from home: It is the main cause of separation anxiety. The dog tends to feel abandoned, alone and sad and the consequences are usually an entire house torn to pieces or constant barking.
- Sleep in the same room and suddenly split up: Sharing a room creates a dependency, which you might find adorable. But if you haven't adopted a dog yet, you should decide what to do about it. What you should never do is that, once the puppy is used to sleeping with you after a long time, separate him, as this will cause anxiety and sadness in your pet.
- change of routine or house: Although I don't believe that dogs appreciate a routine in their day-to-day: walks, food, play... After an important change, the dog can feel helpless, which can lead to an anxious situation with us.
- Other reasons: Your puppy can also develop separation anxiety due to lack of exercise, suffering trauma, severe stress and even the separation or death of a core member.
Separation anxiety can be treated with the use of kong, although the main recommendation in a serious case would be to turn to an ethologist or dog educator.
