Why Does My German Shepherd Follow Me Everywhere? Unlocking the Mystery
Do you have a furry companion that follows you around the house, eager for your attention and affection? Does your pup seem to be by your side no matter where you go?
If this sounds like your German Shepherd, you’re not alone. Read on to learn why your pup may be so devoted to you and how to ensure they stay safe and healthy as they follow you.
Why Does My German Shepherd Follow Me Everywhere?
Your German Shepherd follows you everywhere as a sign of trust and love. It indicates that they feel safe and secure when you are around, or they are bored, want something, feel scared, or are just being nosy. Whatever the reason, it is important to show them an appreciation for their loyalty and companionship.
Instinct
German Shepherds were bred specifically for their protective nature. It’s in their DNA—they want nothing more than to please their owner and will do whatever it takes. This means they will always stick close to you, eager for attention or approval. They follow us because they love us—it’s as simple as that!
Bonding
Another reason why German Shepherds might follow us is because of the bond we share with them. The more time we spend together, the closer this bond becomes until our GSD is so attuned to our emotions that they can anticipate what we need before we even realize it ourselves!
Our pups learn about our personalities and habits when they spend time with us. They come to understand our routines and pick up on specific behaviors that signal when we’re happy or sad or feeling stressed out.
Protection
Finally, one of the main reasons why German Shepherds follow us everywhere is because of their instinct for protection. As mentioned above, this breed was bred for its protective nature—for centuries; it has been trained to guard sheep against predators like wolves or coyotes.
Although modern-day GSDs don’t often find themselves protecting livestock anymore, they still possess a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards their owners, leading them to watch us whenever we leave the house constantly.
Attention
The most obvious reason why your pup follows you is that they want attention from you! Your dog loves having one-on-one time with you, so when they see you are available, they are more than willing to follow you around and soak up all the love and attention they can get.
Want Something/Food
Many dogs have very sensitive noses and can detect even the faintest scent of something delicious cooking in the kitchen. When this happens, they naturally become excited and follow their nose until they find the source of the tantalizing aroma! Your pup may also follow you because they hope for something in return—treats or food!
Anxiety
The last reason why your pup may be following you is anxiety. Dogs can experience separation anxiety just like humans, so if your puppy has been feeling anxious lately, there’s a good chance they will always try to stay close to you. This is their way of seeking comfort and security during stress or fear.
Scared
Fear is a common reason why German Shepherds follow their owners. This could stem from being separated from their littermates at an early age and having to develop trust in humans.
It could be especially true if they were taken away from a bad situation or abused as puppies. They may also have anxiety or separation issues, so they become scared when not near their favorite people. This could explain why they follow us everywhere!
Reinforced Behavior
Another reason your German Shepherd follows you around could be reinforced behavior. Dogs naturally want to please us and are rewarded with treats and praise for good behavior.
When we reward them for following us by giving them love and attention, they will likely continue doing so because it gets them what they want. Dogs form strong bonds with their owners over time and enjoy spending time together!
Lack of Exercise
Lastly, some German Shepherds may follow their owners if they need more daily exercise. If dogs don’t get enough physical activity throughout the day, they may become bored and start looking for something to do—like following us around!
This can also lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing on furniture or barking incessantly if left unchecked. So make sure that your pup gets plenty of exercises every day!
Boredom
The most common reason for your canine companion following you is likely boredom. To combat this issue, give them plenty of interactive toys and games throughout the day so they have an outlet for energy that won’t involve nipping at your heels! If your pup doesn’t get enough playtime or exercise, they may seek attention from their human family members.
Curiosity
Another possible explanation is simple curiosity. Dogs are incredibly observant animals who love to watch what their humans do all day!
They may be interested in what activities you’re up to—especially if food is involved. To keep your pup entertained during mealtimes, consider giving them some of their treats while you eat yours!
Habit
Dogs form habits much like humans do—through repetition. Suppose you’ve been letting them follow you around without setting boundaries.
In that case, this behavior has likely become ingrained in them over time, and now it’s just become part of their routine (no matter how annoying it might be!).
To break this habit, set clear boundaries with consistent rules about when and where they can follow you—and stick to those rules! Finally, if all else fails, it could be a habit your dog has picked up over time.
How to Help Your German Shepherd Stop Following You Everywhere
German Shepherds are known for being loyal and protective, but sometimes they can become overly attached to their owners.
If your German Shepherd is following you everywhere you go, it can be frustrating and even disruptive to your daily routine.
Here are some tips for helping your German Shepherd become more independent and less reliant on your constant attention.
Keep Your German Shepherd Busy with Stimulating Toys
German Shepherds are energetic and intelligent dogs that require plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
Providing them with stimulating and interactive toys can be a great way to keep them occupied. Puzzle toys, Kongs, and chew toys are practical options that help keep your German Shepherd entertained and mentally stimulated.
Try Putting Up Baby Gates
Another way to help your German Shepherd stop following you is to put up baby gates around your home.
This can create boundaries and give your German Shepherd a designated area to play and relax. By doing this, your German Shepherd will learn to be more independent and less reliant on you for constant attention.
Give Them Lots of Attention
German Shepherds thrive on attention and affection from their owners. While it may seem counterintuitive, giving your German Shepherd plenty of engagement can help reduce their clinginess.
When calm and relaxed, giving them plenty of love and affection will make them less likely to follow you around constantly.
Think About Your Behavior
The way you behave around your German Shepherd can also influence their clinginess. If you always fuss over them and constantly give them attention, they will be more likely to follow you.
Instead, try to be calm and relaxed around your German Shepherd, and give them attention when they are quiet and comfortable too.
Never Punish Your German Shepherd for Following You Around
Punishing your German Shepherd for following you around is never a good idea. This can cause them to become anxious and fearful and may even lead to separation anxiety.
Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and reward your German Shepherd when they display independent behavior.
Give Your German Shepherd Plenty of Daily Exercises
Ensuring that your German Shepherd gets plenty of daily routines is essential for their physical and mental well-being.
A tired German Shepherd is a happy German Shepherd, and providing them with plenty of opportunities to run, play and explore can help to reduce their clinginess.
Avoid Silence
Silence can be a trigger for some German Shepherds and may cause them to become anxious and follow you around. To reduce their clinginess, try playing music or leaving the TV on when you leave the room.
This can provide your German Shepherd with some background noise and help to keep them calm.
Teach Them to ‘Stay’
Teaching your German Shepherd to ‘stay’ can be a great way to help them become more independent. Start by teaching them to stay in one spot for short periods, gradually increasing the duration as they become more confident.
Don’t Make a Fuss
When you leave or enter a room, try not to make a big fuss over your German Shepherd. This can reinforce their clingy behavior and make it harder for them to become independent.
Help Them Socialize
Socialization is critical for all dogs, but particularly for German Shepherds. By exposing them to new people, places, and experiences, you can help to build their confidence and reduce their clinginess.
Teach Your German Shepherd to Go to Their Bed
Teaching your German Shepherd to go to their bed can be a great way to provide them with a designated space to relax in. Please encourage them to go to bed when you are in another room and reward them for staying there.
Ask Others for Help
If your German Shepherd is particularly clingy, ask a friend or family member to help you. This can allow your German Shepherd to bond with someone else and reduce their reliance on you.
Help Build Up Your German Shepherd’s Confidence
If your German Shepherd lacks confidence, this can significantly affect its clinginess. Work on building their trust by providing positive experiences and opportunities to explore the world around them.
Play Games Inside the House
Playing games with your German Shepherd inside the house can be a great way to keep them busy and help them become more independent. Hide and seek, fetch, and tug of war are all great options that can help to reduce their clinginess.
Desensitize Them to You Leaving the Room
Finally, try desensitizing your German Shepherd to you leaving the room. Start by going for short periods, gradually increasing the duration as your German Shepherd becomes more comfortable.
By doing this, your German Shepherd will learn that it is okay for you to leave and that you will always come back.
