Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

A study of owner reports across genetically grouped breeds found ancient and spitz breeds, such as the Basenji, Shiba Inu, Akita, Siberian Husky and Samoyed, scored lowest for attachment and attention-seeking. Every other group scored significantly higher (Sci Rep).

• Lower: ancient and spitz types.
• Higher: the breeds of presumed modern European origin, which is most of them (Sci Rep).
• Upbringing matters too, and the study could not fully separate it from breed.

A dog that has always shadowed you is often just being their breed; a change matters more than the pattern. Our breed growth charts cover size.

Dogs repeat what pays. Rewarded behaviour happens more, and behaviour that stops being rewarded fades (AVSAB). The person who feeds, walks and plays most is the one worth tracking. VCA advises not reinforcing following and attention-seeking, and rewarding settling and calm independence instead (VCA).

• Reward: lying down, settling on a mat, staying in another room.
• Ignore without scolding: pawing, nudging, trailing at your heels.

Most dogs with separation anxiety follow their owners from room to room (VCA), but close attachment alone carries no extra risk (Merck). The difference shows when you leave. The RSPCA reports that 8 out of 10 dogs find it hard to cope alone, and half of dogs with separation-related behaviour show no signs while you are there (RSPCA).

The ASPCA lists increased following as a common concern in ageing dogs, and its cognitive dysfunction checklist includes becoming overdependent and clingy (ASPCA). Merck describes cognitive dysfunction signs as DISHAA: disorientation, interactions, sleep-wake changes, house soiling, anxiety and activity (Merck).

Exercise, interactive toys and play help (VCA). Many changes in older dogs come from treatable illness, so report them to your vet (ASPCA). Our dog age calculator shows when your dog counts as senior.

Vets rule out physical problems, especially pain, before treating a change as behaviour (Merck). Ask what changed:

• Health: pain, stiffness or new illness.
• Fear: storms, fireworks, building work.
• Upheaval: a move, a new home after adoption, a new baby or pet, new work hours.
• Boredom: too little exercise or enrichment, so you are the main event.

No source gives a number of days to wait, so call your vet to be safe. Our dog behaviour checker hub and dog body language chart help you spot fear.

Only when it stops your dog coping. Signs it has gone past attachment:

• Distress as you pick up keys or shoes (Merck).
• Howling, damage or accidents while you are out (ASPCA).
• Food toys left untouched when alone (RSPCA).

Barking when left is often part of it: try our barking cause finder.

Use reward-based training only; aversive methods carry welfare risks (AVSAB). Keep sessions short and calm.

1. Reward your dog for settling on a mat while you sit nearby.
2. Step away, come back, reward calm. Then leave the room briefly.
3. Use a baby gate rather than a crate, which can add stress (ASPCA).
4. Start absences at one to two seconds and build slowly (ASPCA).
5. Give a food puzzle lasting 20 to 30 minutes and at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day (ASPCA).
6. Keep goodbyes and greetings low-key (VCA).
7. Give puppies short spells alone in a safe place from the start (Merck).

True separation anxiety can take months to treat, so ask your vet or a behaviourist (Merck).

See your vet when clinginess is new, comes with other changes, or your dog is a senior. Ask about a veterinary behaviourist if your dog panics when left (Merck). Never scold for damage you come home to: it makes the anxiety worse (RSPCA).

Every figure and threshold on this page comes from the veterinary sources below, and each one is linked where it is used. Where no source gives a cut-off, we say call your vet rather than invent one.