How to stop dog stalking behavior?

In the life with dogs, their every move touches our hearts. Most of the time, the company of dogs makes us feel extremely warm, but there is a behavior that often bothers the owner, that is, the dog's stalking behavior. When you walk around the house, the dog follows closely, not leaving your side, and even when you go to the bathroom, bedroom and other private spaces, it must squeeze in. This excessive stalking behavior may cause many inconveniences to the owner's life, and it also reflects some potential problems of the dog. ​

There are many reasons for dogs to stalk. From the perspective of emotional dependence, dogs and owners have established a deep emotional bond, and they regard their owners as the center of their lives and the source of security. For dogs, the presence of their owners means comfort, food and love. When the owner leaves their sight, the dog will feel uneasy and anxious, so it seeks a sense of security by stalking the owner to confirm that the owner is still around. Some dogs may have experienced separation anxiety, such as the owner going out for a long time and leaving them alone at home, and the memory of loneliness and fear is deeply imprinted in their minds. When the owner appears around again, the dog will follow closely, fearing that the owner will suddenly disappear again. ​

In addition, the curiosity of dogs is also a factor that leads to tracking behavior. Dogs are naturally curious about the world around them. They want to know what their owners are doing. Every room and every move can arouse their interest. They will follow their owners, explore every corner, and try to understand the trajectory of their owners' lives. Moreover, in the dog's cognition, the owner's actions are often accompanied by interesting things, such as going out for a walk, preparing food, etc. They hope to follow their owners and not miss any possible "good things". ​

However, excessive tracking behavior has a certain impact on the lives of dogs and their owners. For dogs, this over-dependence behavior may limit their independent development. When faced with a new environment or when the owner is not around, they will become extremely uneasy and difficult to adapt. In the long run, it may cause psychological problems in dogs, such as severe anxiety. For the owner, being followed by the dog all the time will lose some personal space and their life will be greatly restricted. For example, when the owner wants to enjoy reading time quietly or conduct some private activities, the dog's following will make people feel irritated and helpless.​

To stop the dog's tracking behavior, we must first start with establishing clear rules and boundaries. The owner needs to let the dog know that there are some places it cannot enter at will, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. When the dog tries to follow into these areas, the owner should issue instructions in a gentle but firm tone, such as "No, stay outside", and gently close the door to block the dog outside. At first, the dog may not understand, and may even scratch and bark at the door, but the owner must not be soft-hearted and must stick to the principles. After repeated attempts, the dog will gradually understand these rules and will no longer forcefully follow. ​

It is also very important to provide the dog with a variety of activities and sufficient mental stimulation. When the dog's life is fulfilled, they will not focus all their attention on the owner. The owner can prepare a variety of toys for the dog, such as educational toys, ball toys, etc. Educational toys can allow the dog to use his brain and consume energy during play; ball toys can meet the dog's exercise needs through interactive games between the owner and the dog, such as throwing and picking up the ball. In addition, take the dog out for a walk and play regularly every day to give them the opportunity to contact the outside world and socialize with other dogs. This will not only allow dogs to get enough exercise, but also broaden their horizons and enrich their life experience, thereby reducing excessive dependence on their owners. ​

Creating a safe, comfortable and interesting environment when the dog is alone can also help improve tracking behavior. The owner can prepare a dedicated space for the dog, such as a doghouse or a specific room, and place its favorite toys, soft mats and familiar items in it to make the dog feel at ease. You can also leave some items with the owner's scent for the dog when the owner leaves home, such as old clothes, etc., which will allow the dog to feel the owner's breath when the owner is not around and reduce anxiety. At the same time, playing some soft music or familiar sounds to the dog, such as the owner's recording, can also help the dog relax. ​

It takes patience and time for the owner to change the dog's tracking behavior. Every dog ​​has different personalities and behavioral habits, so the owner should flexibly use various methods according to the characteristics of his own dog. When the dog makes progress, such as no longer following closely, the owner should give rewards and praise in time, and can touch it and give it some snacks to let the dog know that its behavior is recognized.​

The journey of living with a dog is full of love and challenges, and the dog's tracking behavior is just a small episode. Through our efforts and patient guidance, helping the dog overcome this problem will not only make our lives more comfortable, but also allow the dog to grow into a more confident and independent partner.