Why Won't My Dog Leave Me Alone? (7 Common Reasons)

You know that old saying, “If I want to be left alone, I’ll go to the library.” Well, it turns out that your dog has a very different interpretation of that sentiment.

Dogs have been known to follow their human companions around incessantly, regardless of whether or not those humans actually want some company. So why won’t my dog leave me alone?

1. Some Dogs Are Just More Likely to Be Your Shadow Than Others

Some dogs are just more likely to be your shadow than others. These dogs are also often referred to as velcro dogs. As the name suggests, these dogs tend to stick to their owners like glue.

Velcro dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but some of the most popular velcro dogs include the Vizsla, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog, and Pug.

These dogs are known for their close attachment to their owners and their tendency to follow their humans around constantly. Whether you’re out for a walk, working in the yard, or just trying to relax at home, your velcro dog is going to be right there by your side.

2. They May See You As Their Pack Leader

Dogs have a pack mentality, and as the pack leader, you’re the one they look to for guidance. When a dog follows you around incessantly, they may be trying to gain your attention and earn your approval.

Reasons Dogs Seeing Their Humans As Pack Leaders

If you’re curious here are some reasons why dogs might see their humans as pack leaders.

1. Dogs See Humans as their Source of Protection and Safety

Dogs see their human companions as a source of protection and safety. In the wild, dogs are constantly on the lookout for potential threats and to protect themselves from those threats they rely on their pack leader.

Apparently, after millions of years of domestication, this instinct still remains. But today since they no longer live with their pack in the wild, they turn to their human pack leaders.

2. Humans are Their Source of Food and Water

This reason may seem a bit silly to most humans, but you really must remember that for dogs, we’re the ones who provide them with their food and water source. For dogs, this makes us their source of nourishment and survival.

When you become your dog’s source of food, water, and anything else they need to survive, they see you as their pack leader.

3. Sometimes They Want to Play Other times They Want Attention

Dogs are social animals, which means they crave attention and interaction with others. Sometimes your dog wants to play; other times, they may be trying to get you to interact with them in other ways.

For instance, if they’re wagging their tail and looking at you expectantly, it may be because they have a toy in their mouth that they want you to play fetch with.

4. They Are Experiencing Separation Anxiety

Some dogs just have a harder time being separated from their human pack members. They may become stressed and anxious (or popularly known as separation anxiety) when their humans leave them alone, which could prompt them to pester you incessantly until you come back home.

Dogs that experience separation anxiety often exhibits certain behaviors when their humans leave them alone. These behaviors can include whining, barking, chewing on furniture, and urinating or defecating in the house.

If your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more comfortable when you’re away. One thing you can do is try leaving them with a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter or treats. This will keep them occupied and distracted from his anxiety.

You can also try training your dog to relax in a specific room or area of the house when you’re not home. This will help them feel more secure and calm in your absence. If you need more help in dealing with your dog’s separation anxiety, it’s best to contact a professional trainer or animal behaviorist for further assistance.

5. They Need Something from You

Sometimes, dogs just need something from you like food or water. Their constant following is their way of reminding you to take care of their basic needs.

And when they see that you’re about to go outside for a walk, chances are they want to tag along because it’s time for them to eat and drink some fresh air too!

6. They’re Bored

Dogs get bored and lonely just like we do! If you find your dog following you around but stopping every once in a while to do nothing, chances are they may simply be looking for something to occupy themselves with so they won’t feel bored.

Try some obedience exercises or games with them to keep them occupied and active. You can also try going for a walk or running with them to help tire them out before you leave them alone for a few hours.

7. You’re Inadvertently Reinforced His Behavior

Dogs learn by association. This means they will keep pestering you if they think you have something for them, or if it is in any way rewarding for them to follow you around.

For example, let’s say you always give your dog a pat whenever they follow you into your bedroom. Pretty soon, they will learn to follow you into your bedroom because they feel rewarded every time they do so!

Think about what it is that you usually do when your dog follows you around. If it’s something that they enjoy doing, then chances are they will keep on following you around just to receive the reward.

If this is the case, try not rewarding your dog when they follow you around. You can do this by simply walking away from them or ignoring their actions. It will take a little time, but your dog should eventually stop following you after they realize that there’s no reward in your action.

How To Deal With a Dog That Won’t Leave You Alone?

Dealing with a dog that won’t leave you alone can be a real pain.

But don’t worry, there are ways to make it easier. In the following part, I’m going to give you some good advice on how to deal with a dog that won’t leave you alone no matter what.

So, if yours is one of them then keep reading because this article may just help you solve your problem!

1. Identify The Real Cause of The Problem

Before you can even start thinking about how to deal with a dog that won’t leave you alone, it’s essential to identify the real cause of your problem. You need to figure out why your dog is doing this in the first place.

One of the best ways to do that is to be aware of your dog’s body language, as it can give you clues as to what they’re thinking.

For example, if your dog is following you around constantly, but they’re keeping his distance and don’t seem overly happy, they may be feeling anxious or uncomfortable. On the other hand, if your dog is wagging their tail and looking at you lovingly, they’re probably just happy to see you.

2. Ensure That You Have Provided All of Their Basic Needs

Before you can even think about dealing with a dog that won’t leave your side, it’s crucial to make sure that all of their basic needs are met. If they’re hungry, thirsty, or need to walk outside to do their business, then there’s no way they’re going to leave you alone until they’ve satisfied these needs.

Remember! Your dog’s basic needs come first, and they should always be met before you can start working on whatever behavior problem your dog may have.

3. Give Your Dog a Toy That Will Distract Them

Dogs get easily bored, especially when you’re busy and can’t give them the time they deserve.

This is why you need to make sure that when your dog is alone, they’ll have something to do to distract themselves from boredom. Interactive dog toys such as treat dispensing dog toys or puzzle toys are perfect for this.

You can give them one of these when you can’t be distracted for a few hours. This will help keep their mind off of following you every chance they get.

4. Give Your Dog Enough Attention

Even though you’re busy, you shouldn’t ignore your dog entirely. After all, they are extremely smart animals that get lonely just like we do.

So, you need to give them some attention whenever possible.

You can do this by simply patting them, taking them for a walk, or playing with them as soon as you get home from work (or school). That way, they’ll know that you still care about them even when you’re busy.

5. Train Your Dog to Respect Boundaries

All dogs need boundaries. So, if yours is constantly following you around then you need to put up some boundaries that he needs to respect at all times.

You can do this by simply saying “stop” whenever they follow you to the place that you don’t want them to be. For example, if they just follow you into your bedroom, say “stay.” When they listen to your command, give them a treat.

This will teach them that when you say “stay,” that’s when they should be still and stop what they’re doing. By doing this on a daily basis, your dog should eventually learn where the boundaries are and not cross them anymore.

6. If All Else Fails, Seek Help from a Professional

If your dog still won’t leave you alone no matter what, then it may be time to seek help from a professional. This is especially true if they’re crossing the boundaries that you have already established or are becoming aggressive in any way as this can be a sign of a more serious issue.

A professional will know what the next step is to take and how to handle this type of problem. They’ll also be willing to work with you to find a solution that works for you and your dog.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that you can’t expect your dog to behave in a certain way if they are not getting the stimulation and exercise they need. You may also have an underlying health condition or be stressing them out with something else going on in your life, which could explain their behavior.

Keep in mind: when it comes to our pets, no problem should go unsolved! If you suspect there is more than just bad behavior at play here, make sure to consult a veterinarian for help fixing the root of the issue so that everyone (including Fido) will start feeling better soon.

Why Won’t My Dog Leave Me Alone? (7 Common Reasons)