A young puppy following you is normal and not an issue at first. Dogs bond based on scent, associations they learn during puppyhood, and their unique personality traits. If you’re flattered by this true sense of affection, and unknowingly reward your dog for his clingy behavior, you’re sending him a message that it’s welcome. When your dog stops trying to return to the person, walk away from to see if they will give that person space. The blue heeler-Jack Russell terrier mix can inherit a … If your dog does not become quiet on their own eventually. Here are some possible reasons (plus what you can do about it). It can also be used to teach pups to be more respectful of guests and to communicate to the dog that they should not follow you into a room or a certain space. Many of the commands I taught him first were things to help his lack of boundaries and independence. I now own my 2nd purbred Blue Heeler and he is a wonderful dog. We moved to Arizona for the winter and lived in an RV. “Just make sure that in the process you do not limit their social interactions with other dogs and people. When your dog goes over to the treat, praise them and encourage them to eat it. But there have been days when you might have wondered, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” The answer has to do with your dog’s animal instinct and pack mentality. In the absence of their mothers, puppies are dependent on us to keep them safe and teach them about the world around them. Call your dog over to you, show them the treat and slowly toss the treat 5–10 feet away from you while also pointing your index finger in that direction — so that it looks like you are pointing to where you just tossed the treat as you toss it. As you see improvement, wait until they get farther away before you toss them a treat. This situation is simply a case of insufficient training. If your dog is overly attached, it’s important to figure out whether this velcro behavior is part of his personality and breeding, or if something more serious is going on. Once your dog is waiting calmly to be released, say “OK” or “Free” in a calm yet happy tone of voice. Some dogs are bred to do jobs that require them to work closely with people. Mack became exactly what I had hoped he would be: my trail dog, lounge buddy, vigilant family guardian and quirky friend. Get between your dog and the other person and walk toward your dog until they are at least 10 feet away from your guest or child. But they usually bond closely with a single person and become their shadow. Why does my dog follow me everywhere if he is eating he stops to follow me if he is sleeping and I move he wakes to follow me and rushes to the door to get through first or races up the stairs in front of me it is like he tries to ... and some serious training is in order. It was last reviewed and updated March 9, 2020. If your dog is attached to someone else, you may feel a bit hurt and wonder why. I would like to bond with her, but it is difficult to do so. The Blue Heeler is an Australian herding breed. As soon as they sit, praise and reward with the treat. Mack learned a healthy level of independence over time. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. Almost all dogs can benefit from a bit of structure and independence training. Practice until they will walk 10 feet away without being shown a treat when you tell them “Out” and point to where they should go. Most dogs do very well when given boundaries. When you are ready for your dog to come over to you again, tell them “OK!” If you want to pet them, give them a command first, such as “Sit.” When they obey, you can give them your attention again. Blue Heelers often have black patches around their eyes and ears with brown eyes and a patch of white fur in the middle of their forehead. In some cases, that fear can cause real damage to the dog both mentally and physically. When the dog is willingly entering the crate to eat the food, sprinkle treats inside the crate and close the door with your dog inside it for 5 minutes. This command requires them to remain self-controlled, to cope with being separated from you, and to willingly obey a command that requires separation from you. This becomes an even bigger problem when their following is rooted in anxiety or behavior problems. When your dog can remain in the down position for 1 minute, gradually increase the amount of time between treat rewards. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. Velcro dogs and shadows are dogs who tend to follow so closely, so often, that they practically stick to your leg or mimic your movements like a shadow. These dogs don’t do well on their own and might develop separation anxiety. I used to be able to walk around my neighborhood without him on a leash and he would follow me and never cause any trouble. Commands such as “Out,” “Place,” “Down-Stay,” “Crate,” “Sit,” “Leave It,” “Quiet” and “Off” are all great or communicating boundaries clearly to your dog. While the thought of your dog following you everywhere might seem cute and lovable, it can be an indication that something else is going on. So staying close might be a breed characteristic in your dog. Don’t expect your dog to respond to a command unless you have spent time teaching them what that command means first. Check out the FitBark 2, the highest-rated dog health monitor in the market. 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