Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

Have you ever heard of the name "velcro dog"? Well, pups of all breeds earn the name of "velcro dog" due to your canine companion's need to be with their pet parent at all times. Dog owners worldwide can pat themselves on the back for reaching that level of companionship with their pup, but do you know why your dog follows you everywhere? What makes it difficult for some dogs to go even a short period of time without their owner in sight?

Can all dog breeds be velcro dogs?

All dogs (puppies and adult dogs alike) can become attached to their pet parent. However, there's a good chance that lap breeds like chihuahuas and pugs will become velcro dogs because their breeds are more dependent on us.

Let's get to the answers to..."Why does my dog follow me?"

1. Your dog follows you everywhere because they have separation anxiety.

Dogs with separation anxiety can exhibit any of the following behaviors:

• Urinating & Defecating in the house
• Excessive chewing and destruction of objects in the house
• Persistent barking, howling, and whimpering
• Pacing constantly
• Escaping confined spaces
• Coprophagia, or the act of defecating and consuming excrement

Typically these behaviors of an anxious dog are associated with negative behaviors which should be ruled out to determine separation anxiety:

• Incomplete house training
• Juvenile chewing and digging
• Lack of mental stimulation, or boredom
• Barking and howling triggered by sudden visuals and sounds

While not all velcro dogs have separation anxiety, most dogs with separation anxiety will behave in a clingy manner much like velcro dogs. Learn more about separation anxiety at this blog post called How To Handle Your Dog's Separation Anxiety.

2. Your dog follows you everywhere because you taught them to by accident in your daily routine.

Each time you stop to pat your dog on the head or stop to give them a treat, you're offering reinforcement for their behavior. It's a good idea to find a balance in the attention you distribute to your dog so that they can develop their own sense of confidence and independence.

3. Your dog follows you everywhere because they experienced a big change in environment or routine.

Your loving dog might be extra clingy because of changes around them. Following you offers them comfort and security. If this continues over a significant length of time, there might be an underlying health issue or health condition at play. It's best to seek advice from a trusted veterinarian.

Here's the BONUS question!

Why does my dog follow me to the bathroom?

If your dog only follows you to the bathroom consistently, it's more than likely because of their animal instincts and pack mentality. So by following you around even on trips to the bathroom, it's to protect the pack. Yup! You are part of the pack.

This is just a sampling of tips and informational posts we offer at Joyride Harness. You can find more content including tips and tricks and how-tos for caring for your dog on our blog in this section.