When your dog follows you everywhere you go, it might seem like a heartwarming sign of love and loyalty. Many pet owners cherish this closeness, feeling their bond with their furry friend grow stronger with every step. But what if this constant companionship isn’t just about affection? Sometimes, it’s a silent signal of something deeper that deserves attention.
Why dogs follow you everywhere: love or anxiety?
Veterinarian Dorota Sumińska offers a simple explanation. When a dog never leaves your side, it’s because it loves you and wants to spend as much time together as possible. She compares this behavior to anyone who cherishes their loved ones—they naturally want to be close. This perspective is comforting to many pet owners, reinforcing the idea that their dog’s presence is a genuine display of attachment.
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However, dog trainer and certified behaviorist Aleksandra Chrapkowska sees it differently. She warns that this behavior doesn’t always mean “I love you.” In some cases, it can signal that your dog is afraid and relies on you as their only source of comfort and security. Chrapkowska explains that this kind of behavior is a classic sign of generalized anxiety, often linked to separation issues.
Recognizing the signs of separation anxiety in dogs
The harmless image of your dog shadowing your every move can be deceptive. It’s important to observe their behavior when they’re left alone. Do they start barking excessively? Are they destructive, chewing furniture or belongings? Do they seem visibly distressed? These actions often point to separation anxiety, a common but challenging emotional health issue in dogs.
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Dealing with separation anxiety requires patience, understanding, and often professional guidance. A certified animal behaviorist can help design a training plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs to ease their fears and improve their confidence when alone.
Lessons from experience: understanding your dog’s needs
I once had a dog who followed me constantly, and at first, I took it as a sweet token of our bond. But I noticed his distress when I stepped into another room or left the house. He’d whine and grow restless, which made me realize this wasn’t just love—it was anxiety seeking comfort. With the help of a trainer, we worked through his fears step by step, and seeing him gradually relax was incredibly rewarding.
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This journey taught me to look beyond appearances and truly listen to what my dog’s behavior was telling me. Constant companionship might be adorable, but understanding the underlying emotions is key to helping our pets thrive.
How does your dog show you affection? Have you ever wondered if their behavior might hide something more? Share your stories and thoughts below—let’s create a space where pet lovers can support and learn from each other’s experiences. If this insight helped you, don’t hesitate to share it with fellow dog owners. Together, we can better understand our loyal companions.
I have a American statfordshire, Rudy, that we rescued. He is about 3 years old. He constantly licks. Is this a sign of something more than love?
Just to be sure, he licking you? Licking you is saying that you are the boss. One of my pits(Toby) is always licking the other pits mouth, which is irritating to us but doesn’t seem to bother the other pit. And knowing that Toby is a completely submissive pit & this is the way he lets the other pit know he’s not a threat. I’ve never seen the other pit lick Toby, but does want to give us “sugar”, meaning we are the boss, a good thing since he weighs 70 lbs & has a very very large mouth
Dogs allergies often manifest as having dry itchy skin, excessive shedding and may be accompanied by excessive licking of their paws.
My one year old coton poo wants to be touching me all the time and won’t eat unless I’m in the room. We need help with this
Make the process of you leavung him alone a game. Start with small times, like 30 seconds, and slowly improve. Little by little he will always think leaving is a game. Dont get impatient, consider yourself lucky if you reach 10 seconds on your first day.
Stop eating coton and you won’t have coton poo
My German Shepherd Lizzy follows me a lot not always though. When I leave the house she’ll grab a sock of mine out of laundry basket and goes and sits patiently by the front door. When I come back she has to sniff everything I bring back and once that is done she greets me. This all happened organically and she has never chewed up anything in the house. She just wants a smelly sock next to her- she is a nutter! Love this dog
WE RECENTLY FLEW TO TEXAS TO RESCUE A GSD. THIS GSD (Heidi) WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS OLD. THE MAN WHO OWNED HER NAILED ALL OF HER PAWS TO BOARDS, STABBED HER THREE TIMES, AND BURIED HER ALIVE. WHEN SHE WAS PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND SHE WAS UNRESPONSIVE, NOT BREATHING, AND SHE WAS ONLY 26 LB. SHE SPENT THREE WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL AND 10 WEEKS IN A MEDICAL FOSTER HOME. WE HAVE HAD HER NOW ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE VET HAS TRIED ZOLOFT, AMITRIPTYLINE, AND NOW WE ARE TRYING PROZAC BUT IT SEEMS NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS HELPING HER ANXIETY. HER ANXIETY IS HORRIBLE AND SHE ALSO DISPLAYS SIGNS OF FOOD AGGRESSION TOWARDS OTHER DOGS. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IDEAS OF WHAT I CAN DO. WE HAVE HAD A DOG TRAINER FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD HER AND IT DOESN’T SEEM LIKE WE’RE MAKING ANY PROGRESS. I WORK FROM HOME SO I AM WITH HER 90% OF THE TIME.
From my experience it will take a long time. It did me. But, hang in there! You are doing everything right. I’d give her a stuffed animal to sleep with her as long you don’t think she will chew it up and choke. I’ve worked with the severely abused dogs and it’s so very sad… some you can’t get back 100%. God bless you for your efforts!
I’m so sorry for Hiedi.
There is a dog rescue facility in Oregon east of Portland it’s called Asher House. The guy that owns this rescue is sooooo smart with dogs that have been traumatized. He’s on line. Youight try contacting him and see if he has any ideas.
Good luck
Sheila
Sometimes no matter how hard we try nothing works. Former LVT had specialized behavior education/ training and have had a few dogs and cats that didn’t respond no matter what we tried. However I would give your girl another 6 months and try to keep your anxiety level down as well. The food aggression is another matter all feeding should be separate from other animals ( no free feeding for anyone) same for treats. This should be done to prevent an attack that could wind up with your other pets and possibly yourself needing a trip to the ER. I’ve used Prozac with dogs before one being a rescue of mine. It took a few weeks but the difference was amazing. Weaned her off it after 6 months and she was a new dog. Don’t lose hope but let others know about your struggle if they are thinking about adopting a pet with a similar history of abuse. A foster home with no other animals is often the best transition. Certainly no small children. And it can take a year or more before a petsitter or boarding if you are going on a vacation or traveling where they can’t go. Even having family or friends over can trigger anxiety which if unchecked can lead to aggression. Good Luck
What in the hell would would anyone hate a animal like that amazing to me. I hope You can give her a good home My dog Lucky is about 4 or 5. I y wanted him because he was abused .All I know is mY little Lucky is going to be spoiled to death. I want him to have all he missed. All the love I can give him to make up what he never had. He has many problems because of how they abused him. I promise to love him so much to help him know people aren’t all bad. I hope when we go to paradise. Those abusers get what they did right back.
I can not get my mind to accept what Heidi has been through. Please tell me her torturer has been prosecuted. It’s no wonder she has some behavior problems. Although, it is my opinion (and I’m a nobody) she could have worse behavior than she does. I would be patient, loving and kind to her. She will understand what is expected of her as time goes on. One thing about dogs, they themselves are patient, loving and all forgiving with us. Good luck with her in the future. You’re something special yourselves.
My dog is Golden Doodle. He is seven years years old and we picked him up from a breeder at 6 weeks old. Perfect dog in every way possible. My question is he has never shown affection with a typical dog kiss, but instead licks his nose.
Doodles are a wild card. You never know what you are getting due to so many breeding variables They have become a money maker for mutts produced indiscriminately.
I have a standard dachshund and he has to be by my side always. Except when he sleeps, he goes into his crate. We got a mini dachshund thinking she can help him and now she wants to be with me also, smh. So, now I have two following me around all the time. She too is crated at night, thank goodness. They both do good sleeping in crates.
I do love them both. They’re the cutest!!!
Our dog is a Labrador retriever and won’t stop jumping on people and chewing things up. Need some advice on how to handle this situation
My Peaches’s has separation issues, she dose follow me around and is restless and won’t eat when I leave her at home. I know I need professional help for her but I’m low income and can’t afford a personal trainer 😫 😕 😩 😪 😢
Wh!t can I do??
I have a 105 lb chow/leonberger mix that has to be right with me all the time, including walking with me while I mow the lawn. up and down, up and down the lawn with him 10 ft to the side. People think its hysterical but occasionally he comes over and barks at the mower. Pretty sure its him being protective. Been doing this for 8 years.
I.
Had to retire because my mom passed away and the dog can’t stay by herself. She’s She’s going to be five year old Shih, tzu, she tore. My door apart broke my screens, my shades etcetera. I try to lock her up in the cage and she keeps barking. And now my I live in a condominium and now they’re asking me to get rid of the dog. So I retired and I can’t go anywhere with out her
I have had 2 dogs that followed me everywhere I went.. Toby s chowchow / german shepherd that we got from PACC he was a beautiful boy very well behaved but if I went out he cried until I got home.. when Toby got sick my husband brought home a chi beagle . Now I had two under my feet until Toby crossed the rainbow bridge, the.lucky got worse I couldn’t go to the bathroom forget about a shower he crys because he can’t see me
. I have to be in his sight at all times.. I know he has separation problems I deal with it sometimes not so fun but other times I don’t care if he follows he is my baby and I love him to the moon and back
My little shitz tzu / terrier won’t leave my side if I’m experiencing a low blood sugar, or if I’m going septic again. He’s saved my life repeatedly. So when he is clingy I always check my blood sugar levels just to be sure. He was never trained to do this, it was just his instincts. I love my little Wiffy.