Dogs smell like we see, a world rich with information just waiting to be noticed, reacted, responded to. They talk to each other through their urine via marking. When you go, he learns about you. There is a lot of research out there that supports a dog being able to smell illness… blood sugar, pending seizures, mood even. This is how they learn about their pack mates, how they look after, care for their family.
Yes, he is aware. I mean, gee, it seems obvious from the way you’re always reading in there. And unless you end up brokenhearted, he can certainly smell what you did. The reason he follows you in is he is trying to tell you how much trouble you’re going to be in for going in the house. In disbelief he’s wondering how it is that you could teach him to go outside then not know yourself. He’s ashamed of you.
. They Like Being in Social Environments
Dogs are social animals by nature. They may follow you around because they exciting is going to happen—or they simply don’t want to be alone or miss out. More curious and confident dogs may also like to follow you everywhere because of the opportunities to experience new things.
In this instance, you may find it fun to train your dog to do tasks while they follow you around the house.
Also for every dog who fixates on only one person to follow, there is another dog who fixates on the newest person in the house to velcro themselves to.
4. You Trained Them to Follow You
Dr. Thomas also explains that pet parents can accidentally reinforce the velcro behavior. “If you talk to your dog as he or she follows you, give them treats as you walk by the kitchen with them, etc., you are actually enforcing this behavior to be normal,” she says.
Your dog may not even realize they are following you “everywhere” because they are just following a routine you’ve built. If you want to calm your furry shadow down, try rewarding your dog with a treat for staying put, rather than following you.
5. Feeling Sick or In Pain
In some cases, dogs can be clingy because they feel unwell. They may stick to your side for comfort or to communicate their distress. If your dog’s following behavior is sudden or accompanied by other signs of illness or pain, see a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Do not treat your dog’s pain at home without prior approval.
6. Growing Dependence
Most dogs will “follow the leader” in the sense of following the human who gives them the most treats, attention, affection, or all the above. However, if this is a new behavior, especially in a senior dog, you may want to get your dog checked out by a vet.
Sometimes a dog that suddenly does something new can indicate an underlying condition. They may not necessarily be sick, but they could be losing their hearing or sight. As a result, they may feel more anxious and want to be around you.