You just go to fetch a glass of water, and your dog gets up straight away to follow you. 😀
In the kitchen, in the living room, sometimes even as far as the bathroom or the loo, your four-legged friend always seems to want to keep an eye on you.
But why does he do that?
In fact, this behaviour stems from a very deep-rooted instinct. Dogs are social animals that naturally need to stay close to their pack.
Originally, their ancestors lived in packs. Staying close to one another was essential for feeling safe, communicating and sharing the important moments of the day.
Today, even though your dog lives comfortably in your home, this instinct is still very much present. To him, you are his family, his pack.
So, is this proof that he loves you?
Very often, yes!
Your dog may follow you simply because he enjoys your company, feels at ease by your side and feels safe when he is with you.
But that is not the only reason.
Our dogs are also keen observers. They know our routines inside out. The moment we prepare their meal, pick up the lead to go out or even open a packet in the kitchen, nothing escapes their notice.
Sometimes, following you is also a way of making sure they do not miss a thing.
'Is a walk on the cards?'
'Am I going to get a cuddle?'
And, let’s be honest:
'Is he going to give in and share a little bit with me?'
Those thoughts probably cross their minds quite often.
However, some dogs are more like our shadows than others. It depends a great deal on their personality, their past experiences, their breed and, of course, the relationship they have with their human.
A dog that has learnt that your presence means safety, play, positive experiences and wellbeing will naturally want to be close to you more often. But do not take it personally if your dog also enjoys having some time to themselves. That is perfectly normal and very healthy. 😀
There is, of course, a difference between a dog that simply enjoys being close to you and a dog that struggles to cope with being apart from you.
If your four-legged friend seems to panic when you leave the room, destroys things whilst you are away, barks excessively, whines or shows signs of stress when left alone, it may be a sign of separation anxiety.
In this case, it is no longer simply a need for closeness, but a genuine difficulty in coping with being apart from their owner. Suitable routines, gradually helping them become comfortable spending time on their own and, if necessary, support from a qualified professional can help them become more relaxed and confident.
But in the vast majority of cases, if your dog simply follows you from room to room, looks for you or comes to lie down beside you, it is simply their way of saying:
'I'm happiest when I am with you.' 🐾
And let’s be honest, we love having them under our feet, always close by. ❤️
