Hello,

We just got an 18 month old or so shepherd mix from a family who rescued him from a shelter. They had the dog for 6 months after rescuing him. This is my first dog, my husband has had a few over his life.

He seems to be VERY attached to me. Everytime I get up or move, he gets up and is right next to me. He will even do this to my kids. Even if he is passed out asleep on the floor and I try to tiptoe in the other room, its like he senses and has to be right next to me at all times. Then, when I put him outside, he jumps at the door and barks, cries and won't move from the door.

My question is , is this normal and will it go away? What can I do to stop this behaviour?
Thank you.

I wonder if thats a Shepherd trait. I just rescued a Shepherd/Greyhound mix & she's much the same. I can't MOVE without her jumping up to follow me & if I go into a room & close the door she cries & cries. She will go outside though, but the Greyhound in her needs to run...I sometimes have trouble getting her to come in! LOL

I would suggest that your husband take your dog for long walks, the right way. So, he will bond with him also. He is feeling unsure and confussed. He has to know who the pack leader is and that is both of you. Dogs don't need attention first, they need rules and limintations. Then when they are in a calm-submissive energy, then give him your love and affection. Then they feel like they have earned it. Think of him as a wild dog. They need their Mother to be the pack leader. She would always be in charge and they would follow her where ever she goes. This what they are suppose to do. Perhaps you should go outside with her for awhile. As far as him needing you by his side all the time, you will have to work on it. Try just inching a few inches away while talking to him. Then go back to him. Keep doing this and increase the distance a bit each time until you can be on the other side of the room. Always go back to him after you have distanced yourself and reasure him you will always come back. He seems to show the the signs of being orphaned and rejecked.
Good luck
Karen

[reeskujo]

Shepards have a guarding instinct and it is not abnormal for them to follow members of their family around.I own an Akita which is also a guard dog and he follows us around everywhere....He sits in front of the bathroom door until we come out and doesn't go to bed until we do...I would suggest that both you and your husband equally care for the dog as far as feeding,walking and playing so that he feels secure with you both...Dogs will tend to gravitate to their primary care giver...The jumping at the door and barking is an attention getting behavior...I would try ignoring it and then when she calms down and isn't jumping or barking reward her with a treat and praise and let her back in...Also spend time outside playing with her so that she relates being outside to something good.

It also may be Separation Anxiety.

How Do I Know If My Dog Has Separation Anxiety?

Because there are many reasons for the behaviors associated with separation anxiety, it's essential to correctly diagnose the reason for the behavior before proceeding with treatment. If most, or all, of the following statements are true about your dog, he may have a separation anxiety problem:

The behavior occurs exclusively or primarily when he's left alone.
He follows you from room to room whenever you're home.
He displays effusive, frantic greeting behaviors.
The behavior always occurs when he's left alone, whether for a short or long period of time.
He reacts with excitement, depression, or anxiety to your preparations to leave the house,
He dislikes spending time outdoors by himself.


Separation anxiety sometimes occurs:

When a dog accustomed to constant human companionship is left alone for the first time.
Following a long interval, such as a vacation, during which the owner and dog are constantly together.
After a traumatic event (from the dog's point of view), such as a period of time spent at a shelter or boarding kennel.
After a change in the family's routine or structure (such as a child leaving for college, a change in work schedule, a move to a new home, or a new pet or person in the home).