Let’s imagine the scene: we are sitting on the sofa with our beloved dog dozing on the floor. We get up to go get a glass of water and there he is, following us . We stop, he waits. And then, on time, he then queues up on the very short way back. Same thing happens if we get up to go to the bathroom or even just to get something: the dog that seemed immersed in dreams, gets up and follows us.
This behavior should not cause alarm, on the contrary: it is very common. Dogs follow their humans even if they move for a few minutes or a few meters. It is also common for them to do it only with one person, not with all family members.
Index
- In the dog’s mind
- Need for company
- Positive reinforcement
- Breed predisposition
- Positive association
- Anxiety
- Affection
- Nature
In the dog’s mind
Let’s face it: dogs are complex animals and they don’t do anything by accident. It is a big mistake to dismiss their behavior with a simple “They are clingy”. The reasons why the four-legged ones follow us, in fact, are very interesting and add a piece to the understanding of these fantastic creatures.
Yes, because even though it is true that each dog is a world unto itself, there are some common reasons for this behavior. Let’s see some of them, in a totally random and sparse order. Need for company
I was so comfortable with you near me that I don’t see why I have to deprive myself and deprive you of that pleasure: this is what Fido might think when he follows us. Walking close to us, the dog reconstructs that wonderful feeling of company that makes him feel good.
We must think that dogs are social animals so loneliness is unnatural. The pleasure they derive from being in their company is such as to lead them to follow them wherever they go. Positive reinforcement
A caress as soon as they get up, a shared delicacy, an affectionate word, an attention, are gestures that are normally done, sometimes without even realizing it, and which gratify the dog and reinforce its behavior.
If, even unwittingly, we gave the dog a caress (or a snack!) When he got up to follow us, he interpreted it as “rewarded” behavior. So, in this case, following humans when they move even very little is a sort of repeated gesture to achieve a pleasant reward. Breed Predisposition
For some breeds, bred for generations to work with humans, being particularly close to their heart bipeds is part of the predisposition. What is it?
A disposition, an innate attitude that makes them feel at one with their human friend.
Being therefore predisposed and therefore normal that they also follow them around the house when they move even for a few minutes. Americans describe these furry dogs with the term ‘velcro dogs’. Positive association
Associating a person with something pleasant – such as a game, a delicious snack, pleasant attention – can be another reason why dogs follow us. Dogs work a lot by association , consequently it is more than normal that they draw their conclusions by behaving in the most “convenient” way.
If the dog associates a particular person with something he appreciates, he will always follow them, probably even with the secret hope that that following will bring something good. Anxiety
Another reason dogs follow humans like shadows inside the house is why they can’t be alone . It is not their fault: they probably have not developed the skills, are afraid or unsure of the relationship with the humans they live with.
A dog that follows driven by anxiety needs to be helped and since understanding the reasons for his state of mind is neither easy nor immediate, it is strongly recommended to contact a dog trainer, who must be a serious and prepared professional. Simple affection
, because love is a simple thing, no
Basically, the dog thinks: I love you so much that I don’t want to leave you even for a second. For some dogs, the reason for following their humans wherever they go is simply the immense love they feel for them. Nature
Another reason why dogs follow their humans wherever they go may be the imprinting described by Konrad Lorenz for ducklings, that is a form of learning by exposure whereby following an individual everywhere, animals recognize him as a parent or as a figure. of reference.
In puppies, the period of imprinting lasts about 9 weeks , from when they are about 3 weeks to when they are about 3 months old and in fact the little dogs are always glued to their humans, they detach from them only as they grow up.
