My German Shepherd Won’t Leave Me Alone. Why?
You go out to get the mail and hear the pitter-patter of your German Shepherd’s feet following you.
You go to the bathroom, and your German Shepherd stands behind the closed door and cries for you.
Even getting a drink makes him follow you to the kitchen.
You are probably wondering, “What’s the deal?”
Well, German Shepherds are clingy by nature. It’s in their genes. The good news is that you can change this behavior using force-free training methods. Keep in mind that if your dog is extra clingy, you are not at fault
Following are four reasons why your German Shepherd wants to be with you all the time:
He Has Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety refers to a dog’s condition when he feels panicked when left alone, even if you are away only for a couple of minutes. Sometimes even a few seconds can be too much. Only your veterinarian can diagnose Separation Anxiety, so if you are concerned, make an appointment with your dog’s vet. The sooner, the better. In the case of German Shepherds, they are in the top 10 breeds who suffer from separation-related distress the most. You can read more about the study here. A change in the routine can cause stress in some dogs. A Certified Separation AnxietyTrainer can teach you and your dog plenty of tips to minimize stress and prevent this problem from escalating.
He Just Wants Your Attention
According to a study published in the journal of The Royal Society, German Shepherds want their owner’s attention. Multiple dog breeds took part in the study. Still, German Shepherds were the only ones who displayed “human-gazing” behavior, which is defined as a dog’s need for attention, support, comfort, and encouragement from its owner while feeding.
Your Nervous Energy Is Rubbing Off On Your Dog
If you are carrying stress home from work, it’s probably your off mood that your dog is picking up. Dogs can sense the energy surrounding them. So, if you are sad, they will either be sad or try to comfort you. In this case, your stress will stress them out.
It’s In His Genes
As mentioned in the beginning, German Shepherds have this gene that makes them so clingy. Since this dog breed is born to be loyal and protective, you being out of your dog’s sight might make them think you are in danger, which is why they follow you and stand guard everywhere you go.
So, what can you do to lessen your German Shepherd’s stress? Well, there are a couple of tricks you can try, which are listed below:
- Minimize change in his routine
- Have regular playtime
- Exercise with your dog
- Teach him the “Stay” cue using organic treats
- Create a comfort corner for him that has his favorite chew toys and a bed to sleep
- Add a “Place” cue to your dog’s list of behaviors
If you are having trouble training your dog, why not get a professional force-free dog trainer? For dog training in Miami, visit the website Dances with Dogs. They offer in-person and online dog training. To know more about their services or schedule an appointment, call 786-299-1552.