My dog follows me everywhere

Raise a paw if your dog follows you everywhere around the house, yes even to the toilet! In our home, it seems I can never get some privacy. Cooka and Bohemia follow me everywhere, yes, even to the most private rooms. I tried locking the doors, but that meant scratches all over the wood and lots of crying. Now I have just given up and accept the pack mentality, even when having 'a moment' on the WC. Actually, I even put a big chair into the bathroom, so the girls can join me in comfort... Call me crazy dog-mom. But why is it, that our kids follow us everywhere? We spoke to our vet John and Fernando and did some surfing on the net and this is what we found.

Velcro Dog?

Did you know that some dog breeds are known as Velcro dogs. Weimaraner is such a breed and to be honest, I like it! Other Velcro breeds are Shepherds, Border Collies, viszlas (cousin of Weimis) or even French Bulldogs. Velcro dogs are extremely clingy and get even depressed when away from their owners. They need constant interaction and don’t like to be left alone. On the other hand, if you are a pawrent to a ‘working breed’, like a boxer or Doberman then your dog may be constantly close by, to protect you from possible dangers.

Socializing

When you first adopt a sweet little puppy, it will follow you everywhere from that moment. So the habit to follow the pawrent (leader) is set from day one and usually stays throughout your pets life. It’s simple – from the first day of your life together, you are the WORLD for your dog. It’s a bond and a strong one and hence the reason he/she wants to stay close to you every minute, everywhere. Researchers have found out, that a dog will behave the same way even if adopted late in life. Because once a dog starts trusting you, it is a lifelong relationship, kind of like true LOVE. And yes, that means even sharing toilet moments or any other private actions you may prefer by yourself…

Pack Mentality

In the wild, dogs always form a pack. Once us hoomans adopt a pet, we automatically become pack members. And a pack does what a pack does – stick together.

What Privacy?

The concept of the dog’s pack excludes any sense of privacy. As we all know, dogs will sniff one-another on all sort of private parts, even when they are busy making a big ‘chocolate’ in the garden. It is all just normal. And since you are now beloved family, your dog will treat you with the same ‘free attitude’ as the other furry members of the pack.

Dislike Loneliness

Dogs do not like to be alone and might not understand how anyone would want to be alone, especially without their furry best friend.

Protection

In a dog’s mind, any room can be an ideal place for a ‘predator’ to hide. Therefore, it is his/her duty to protect you from any possible dangers. (like the vacuum cleaner monster or the bike…)

In need of Attention

When a dog enjoys your full attention, it won’t be happy when you decide to visit a ‘mysterious’ place such as a bathroom all by yourself. He/she needs to be there with you, no matter what!

It’s LOVE

Yes, just pure love.

Get to know you even better

The way dogs get to know other dogs is by sniffing their bottoms. So, it makes perfect sense, since you are a member of the pack, to try and sniff you out while you sit on the toilet. It’s kind of a close connection moment.

Dogs Love Being With Their Owners

Hoomans rush true life, while a dog only waits for the moment to be together, just hanging out. Since dogs are often separated from their pawrent all day long, he/she will need to spend some time with you once you come back home. So why not the bathroom?

Dogs Love Smells

Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one. Dogs adore the scent of their hoomans and a bathroom is a place full of smells. From those fragrant soaps and lotions that remind your dog of you, to other stinky stuff, like dirty shoes and socks. No matter sweet or stinky, to your dog it always smells divine, as it smells like YOU. So there we are. Once you decided to be a pawrent, get used to having the cutest shadow follow you everywhere. If you are anything like me, you will enjoy it! Wooofie Love, Aline