When does following their owner around become obsessive?

Pax · 05-04-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royker

I have two German Shepherd dogs and they seem to communicate with each other about "shadowing." When one dog is sleeping or relaxing, the other dog shadows me around the yard. Then, they exchange shifts. At night, when I give them their chew rawhides, one dog shadows us while the other dog chews away. When the the chewing dog is done with the chewing, it shadows us while the other dog commences chewing.

They seem to talk to each other about shifts. I guess they do it so that if something exciting or important happens, the shadowing dog can alert the other dog.

That is so cool.

LuckyLabMom · 05-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

This is so refreshing to see that you are doing the research and taking in everything you can. Your boy is so adorable as well!

Thanks, 4dogs3cats

dal · 05-07-2008, 03:28 PM

hi all -
this is my first post here, i just found the site and it's great!....

my family just adopted our first rescue dog...a springer (male, almost 3 yrs old).... this is our 2nd springer, our first was with us for 15 yrs...anyway, this guy is attached to me something awful, even if i just walk across the room to fill a coffee cup (10 feet away) he jumps up and is right behind me (and pretty intense about it) ...... my wife and i consider it almost obsessive..... and thats what brought me to this site...he is really well behaved, he has the run of the house during the day and does just fine.....it does seem that he has warmed up a little more to the others in our family when they spend a little time with him....he's only been here a week or so....so i'm hoping that after he's been here awhile and is secure in us and his new surroundings that will ease up a little..his foster parents mentioned he favored the dad a little, but nothing like this....so i think he just needs to adjust to a new house and new family....but after reading this thread, it seems there is a lot of this type of thing...maybe i just need to adjust to him...

Thanks to everyone for all the information that's available here.
dal

poodleholic · 05-14-2008, 03:41 AM

My dogs follow me from room to room, only settling when I stay put! It's a breed trait for Standard Poodles, often called velcro dogs. The Shih Tzu follows, too, and when I'm sitting or prone, he's on me! LOL

If you're worried about SA, then work on building your dog's confidence through obedience training. It will deepen your bond, as well.

Chicster · 05-15-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royker

I have two German Shepherd dogs and they seem to communicate with each other about "shadowing." When one dog is sleeping or relaxing, the other dog shadows me around the yard. Then, they exchange shifts. At night, when I give them their chew rawhides, one dog shadows us while the other dog chews away. When the the chewing dog is done with the chewing, it shadows us while the other dog commences chewing.

They seem to talk to each other about shifts. I guess they do it so that if something exciting or important happens, the shadowing dog can alert the other dog.

That made me laugh out loud! I used to have 2 cats that would do the same thing, it reminded me of them

Cody likes to follow me around the house, but will occasionally follow his nose and wander off so smell something. He likes to follow almost anybody, but will only whine about me leaving. I think that I'm his person only because I spend the most time with him. It's definately a breed trait though, and knew what I'd be getting myself into

Kuma'sMom · 05-15-2008, 09:47 PM

Kuma follows me everywhere, I haven't been to the bathroom alone since I got him, lol. He has no issues with seperation anxiety either.

Lonewolfblue · 05-16-2008, 09:17 PM

As for my Betty, she shadows me all the time that I am home and in the yard. The only time she doesn't is if she's really tired, she'll go to my bed and rest. But from the bed, she can still see me sitting on the couch watching TV. Then if I moved to go to the kitchen to get something to eat, she's right there. I think it's all in the training that helps the dog from getting SA. Being attached is not a bad thing, and this can also lead to some really good training sessions when you come across something that you want to work on.

Now my question, could the game Hide-And-Seek help in keeping the dog from becoming SA? I know you can use it to train for Sit/Stay, Down/Stay, Sit/Wait, Down/Wait, and Come, which works very well, but would it also have a positive effect on keeping the SA away?

DogsforMe · 05-17-2008, 09:17 AM

April used to follow me everywhere in the house. Whenever I went to the bathroom she would push the door open, look to see what I was doing then go out & wait by the door.

Ronda · 05-17-2008, 02:01 PM

Here too! Can't pee without 2 dogs staring at me...

Dogs like being near us. It's all good