Following Around The House Question

[Gilly91]

Hi guys,

 

Is it normal for your hound to follow you into every room you go?

 

I know that he spends most of his time in the front room when im at work playing with toys and napping in the sun (i set up a spy cam).

 

However when i get home from work, he will just stay by my side - even when he wants to go to bed, he would rather moan that he wants to go to bed, but yet he wont unless i go aswel.

 

He also wont take himself away from the room i am in to play (unless i walk into the other room and start him off) then if i move again he will drop his toys and follow me.

 

Is this normal? Can i teach him to be more independent? Dont get me wrong i dont mind him following me around but i would like him to have the confidence to do whatever he likes rather than do what i am doing.

 

I think this makes sense (apologises if it doesn't)

Edited February 18 by Gilly91

[BatterseaBrindl]

Sounds pretty normal to me!

 

How long have you had him?

As he gets more and more comfortable in your home and with your routine he may allow you to be farther away from,him for longer periods .... but don't count on it.

 

The only one we've had that will occasionally choose to be in another room is Ruby. She has always been an independent girlie.

 

I don't think it has a lot to do with 'confidence' ..... they just really want to be with their pack.

Edited February 18 by BatterseaBrindl

[Gilly91]

I've had him around 4 and a half months

[LaFlaca]

Perfectly normal behavior. Lola follows me everywhere as did my first Greyhound, Wendy. After being home almost 2 years, she has only recently begun to stay in the bedroom in the evening while we watch TV in the living room.

[robinw]

Normal. It should lessen as he becomes more comfortable.

[Hubcitypam]

Just go about your business. It'll shake out..

[Fostr_Mom]

I'm almost never alone walking through the house. All day long I'm telling the dogs to "LET ME WALK", otherwise I'm tripping over them. I've had Kyle for almost 10 years now and he still follows me all over, or lays down close enough to be able to see me.

[Jakemedic]

I wanted to call our Angel Laci “Klinger” cause she would stay by our side for almost a year after we got her. I finally just accepted that she wanted to be with us.

[Hubcitypam]

..of course there was the woman that posted on this forum that she had not been in the bathroom alone since 1987. They evidently think you are going to escape out the widow.

[NewGrey2017]

Is this normal? YES

 

Can i teach him to be more independent? NO

[BatterseaBrindl]

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

 

We know you're in there.....

 

 

 

 

[Remolacha]

The first thing my dogs learn is “move please” Generally (obviously there are plenty of exceptions) I have found that the girls are more independent.

[Hubcitypam]

Here out of long habit the word is "scooch a poodle". They all learn it... along with "go to sparkle spot" (from Barkley ).

[sobesmom]

100% normal. IMHO it will decrease over time. Meaning, when the dog is not under your feet, he will lie down and keep a line of sight to wherever you are. Then, that too may decrease. But it may be years.

 

In the meantime, you can set boundaries. When I had 3 greys in the house, 2 of my own and a foster, my 2 resurrected the habit of being underfoot constantly, along with the foster. SO - I had 3 greys at my heels in a very small house. I tolerated mostly, for the foster's sake, but then I started closing doors. I decided I could go to the bathroom without an audience. Also "back,back,back", which was basically me saying that and flapping my hands, and the 3 of them backing up so I could get out of a room. Also "watch your feet" became code for "move or I'm going to step on you". Not true "training" but you can do little things to get some space, but you're pretty early on, so just accept it for now.

 

It's not a reflection that your dog isn't ok, it's just something they do for a while. The fact that he's fine when you're gone means he's doing really well. It's a quirky grey thing. They don't call them "Velcro Dogs" for nuthin! LOL.