Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

Question

I have a 3 year old rescue dog and she follows me everywhere in the house and licks my hands if she can reach them. She always wants to sit with me and she will run home from walk with another family member if she can so that she can be with me. She likes all the other family members and they do spend time with her but she is so attached to me that sometimes it gets very wearing and difficult. Is it cruel of me to expect her to attach to others too?

Answer 1

It's not cruel to expect her to attach, and I assure you, she has... but you are her lifeline.  A lot of dogs become incredibly attached to one person, especially rescues.  You fulfilled everything she could ever need, and she feels safe and secure with you.  If you want to encourage attachement with other people, have them walk her, play with her, and train her.  She'll bond with them too, but you will always be her "alpha".

Answer 2

Are you the dominenet family member?  If so then it is because you are the leader of the pack and he respects you and wants to bask in your glory :)

Answer 3

I admit its a little ridiculous for  our doggie to want to follow me into the bathroom, but  i guess its ok,  she is now sitting behind me  on my desk chair to keep her and me warm at the same time.........shes a little lovey doxie.  and she Loves baby carrots too!!!!

Answer 4

Some dogs, more breeds are more likely then others, just attatch to a certain person. She has obviously attatched to you. Most rescue dogs have had a hard past, and just want love. She feels she can trust you, and maybe is still unsure about others. My rescued Weimeraner has attached to one person in my family, because she is the one who found him. He loves the rest of us, but she is his favorite. Each one of my dogs has a favorite person.

I would be happy that your dogs feels that she can trust you and loves you unconditionally. Its very sweet.

Answer 5

Not cruel, but it may be unrealistic. Your girl sees you as her rescuer and her pack leader. You must have saved her from a bad situation, I think that many dogs realize when rescued how good they have it. It may take a while but she may come to be more attached to the others, just give it time. Good luck and good job on saving a dog!

Answer 6

My dog does the same.  He is incredibly attached to me and loves being around me.  Which is good because I love being around him.  Dogs often attach themselves to one person in a household more than the other people.

Answer 7

I assume that you are the person who primarily feeds your dog.  She thinks of you as her primary caregiver, just as a toddler does with his/hers.  It's not cruel of you to feel aggravated sometimes.  Who wants someone following them around constantly (and l*****g her hand?  LOL).  You may want to get the advice of a dog trainer.  

Answer 8

She is very loyal! That's a good thing. She will always love you and protect you. You are lucky to have a pet like that!

Answer 9

It sounds like you're her favorite. I know it can be tiring constantly being followed, but you should be honored to have gained her love, respect and trust to the point where she would follow you to the ends of the earth.

Answer 10

no doesnt mean the dog follwowing you because she loves you. my dog do that it means needed to go out to use bathroom or wanna you to play or  wanna to have something to eat .  

Answer 11

loves you

Answer 12

I know it can be annoying mine does the same thing when she wont go away or go lay down like I command her to I send her outside for a few minutes. She just doing that because your her favorite and she feels comfortable with you ...  

Answer 13

Because she loves you.  Is that so terrible?

Answer 14

i have a beagle pit mix, she too follows me everywhere. there are 2 reasons why she follows me: 1  the first reason why, is that i do most or all of the work for her (cause she is "my" dog) if you have other family members do part of the work maybe she'll become a little more of a "family dog"

     2 maybe she see's you as the "dominant person" in which case can be a good thing in some ways. it means she' ll obey you more.

  

      i would recommend you try to be "out of the house" a little more often. i sure hope this helped! good luck!  

Answer 15

Your dog is very loyal too you.  She loves you.  She feels safe around you.  Enjoy it.  My german shepherd follows me everywhere and I love it.

Answer 16

Animals often pick one person to be with.  It is in their instincts.

Answer 17

Have the other memebers in your house hold call her and when she comes they should give her a treat and praise as you just walk away she will soon learn you are not the center of her world.Strange that your complaints  too much love .Tilks Mom

Answer 18

I go through this exact same problem lol it honestly can get out of control , In my case with my oldest dog it is my own fault because I spoiled her absoloutely rotten and I've had her since she was 7 weeks old , she follows me like crazy and is a very clingy dog in general , 2 years ago we added a kitten , we had a hard time with her jealousy at first but it settled down so we decided to add a puppy 9 months ago from the shelter we got her at 13 weeks and  we had some major jealousy issues  with the older dog but now they all live in harmony with only the occasional fight , well I am the pack leader the one who feeds them walks them and basically does everything for all three , the problem with that is now I have 3 animals that are follwing me everywhere I go lol, this includes going to the bathroom , and throughout every room in the house , my hubby they dont pay much mind to at all they all seem to follow me it does get very frustrating and tiring I can totally see where your coming from,

I stupidly thought that when I got the puppy that the oldest dog would mellow a little cause they  wud have each other but nope lol , they  have almost caused me to have accidents because as soon as I move they are in front of me to make sure they can wait for me at whatever room I go in to as i speak all three are curled up on the bed beside the computer desk , I have had no luck disencouraging the constant clinginess and following me just wanted you to know I sympathise lol cause I have 3 ,

Love all of them even tho I almost break my neck everytime I move

diane :)