Gunner
I solemnly swear- that I am up to- no good | 
 | | Barked: Thu Jan 31, '08 8:48am PST |  | |  | | Hi everyone!
Gunner follows me around. He's not up my butt or anything, he stays at a respectful distance (usually 3-4 feet away from me) if I'm walking in the house. If we are on a walk, he will stay by my left side no matter what, unless I give him the command "Go potty", then he can go sniff and poop and whatever.
When he is off leash, he will go about his business, but will still 'check back with me'.. like at the dog park he will frolick and sniff and play, but will stop and look around for me. After he spots me and looks at me for a minute or so, then he'll go run around.
If I'm in the kitchen, he will stand outside the kitchen and watch me.
If I'm in the bathroom showering, getting ready for work, etc etc he will plop down on his bed in my room and fall asleep, but will jump up and follow me as soon as I leave the room.
He won't bother me when I'm on the computer, he will sleep at my feet. If I'm on the couch, he will 'ask' to be invited up, and it's up to me whether I want him up on the couch with me. If I don't want him near me, he will go to his crate which is about 10 feet infront of the couch/tv and 'sleep'.. but when I get up he will jump up and follow me around.
Gunner is never nagging me to pick him up, or bothers me at all when I'm not paying attention to him.. he's just.. always there.
Now I myself am not bothered by this behavior at all, but everyone (including my husband) will say "He follows you around EVERYWHERE! He's SO attached to you!" etc. etc. I'd also like to add that Gunner does not follow my husband at all, even if I am not at home. He will sleep in his crate the entire time, unless he is called.
I have read that you should NOT let your dog follow you around, as that could lead to seperation anxiety. Gunner will cry when I crate him and leave, but it's only for 2 minutes (I have timed it and have neighbors to verify, bol), and then he stops.
Then I have read that your dog following you around is a positive thing, and he sees you as the alpha. That dogs who are lower ranking in the pack will follow their alpha all the time, as if 'protecting' the alpha.
So whos wrong and whos right? Should I stop this behavior? Like I said, it doesn't bother me at all, I was just curious WHY he does it. Thanks!
 Edited by author Thu Jan 31, '08 8:51am PST
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Plus, sometimes I trip over mine, they are all little dogs.
