In a fur-fect world, your canine companion will keep step, while proudly and gallantly walking beside you. Why does my dog yawn every time I do? However, other examples such as companionship and physical endurance can be part of why your dog walks behind you. This is the one that we need to be the most cautious about. They trust you and want to be near you 24/7. The more we learn about our canine friends, the more we realize how individualized they really are. That means you are the Alpha (dominant) leader. Your dog's behavior around you actually does have meaning behind it, according to experts. He insists on lagging behind, following closely but at a sluggish pace. Allowing or encouraging the behavior is a completely personal decision and if it is not causing any issues then it isn’t something that absolutely has to be corrected. We asked Dr. Wailini Sung , a veterinary behaviorist, for the answer to the question. Your dog is smarter than you think and a creature of habit. It's a sign that they think that they're place is not alpha, or in the leader position. Some owners think this behavior is rude and disruptive, while other owners will tolerate it. This is probably my most favoured reason for your dog walking behind you and I know from personal experience that this is probably the truest. Your dog walks behind you, whether on or off-leash because they are tired or wearing uncomfortable gear. Just like people, dogs can 'catch' yawns. The heavier they are, the more easily winded they get as well. The reason your dog walks behind you could be linked to the bond you share with them. You should assess whether your dog is comfortable with being pulled around by a collar, they may be keeping the lead loose to ensure it doesn’t pull on their neck. Time, positive reinforcement, and consistency will likely help ease anxious feelings. Honestly, maybe we could all learn a thing or two from our beloved four-legged family members, perhaps they have had the right idea (and attitude) all along, we probably all could benefit quite a bit from slowing down and actually taking it all in. Dogs are indeed closely related to wolves and share characteristics, both physical and psychological. The final reason may be linked to the area they are in. Walking is one of the most enjoyable parts of owning a dog and having an obedient dog doesn’t mean your cant have a free dog. Being off lead is obviously a great feeling for a dog and as many dog owners know this would be the ideal situation for most of their dog walks. Plus she likes to stop suddenly to smell something and then jerk my arm backwards, or cross sides behind me and put me in a half Nelson. Walking your furry friend is probably one of life’s greatest, albeit most simple, pleasures. Mastering the walk will not only make this part of your daily routine enjoyable, but also go a long way towards addressing other problem behaviors as well, because it can help your dog to see you as the Pack Leader. My dog walks behind me when we jog and it's more a heel than fear. Instinct tells a dog that the leader goes first. It bothers me when I can't just look down and check on her because she is literally behind me. This particular emotion is typically deeply ingrained so it might take a bit of time but eventually, he will feel more comfortable, and less fearful, on your walks together. Let’s go through the reasons why your dog may be sitting from behind now. If he is showing any other symptoms like loss of appetite, whimpering, vomiting and/or diarrhea, or even if you are just concerned, take him to the vet. Often I find that my dog decides to walk behind me at the end of the walk, or if they have just sprinted around for whatever reason. Other reasons could stem from habits. Loud noises, an overabundance of strange new smells, and you just might have a recipe for a total scaredy-dog. If he is older and is showing any other signs (lethargy, malaise, abnormal aggression) then it might be wise to have him checked out by the veterinarian and treated accordingly. I now have a dog and when I take her for a walk my new cat waits at the door for the dog to come home. If your dog not only seems to prefer walking behind but also occasionally manages to trip you up, it might be down to attention-seeking behaviors. If the dog does move, start agian. So a dog that chooses to walk behind you instead of with you or in front of you is a submissive or "middle of the pack" dog. Since he views you as the leader, walking behind you reassures his safety. Dogs are believed to empathise with us in other ways as well. The only real solution here would be allowing him to get acquainted with the area you want to walk him in. More importantly, the researchers write, your dog catching your yawn is a sign of basic empathy. Tell the dog to speak, if he doesnt, the owner must bark to encourage the dog to bark . Companionship is something you always want to have with your dog, it’s one of the reasons they are the most popular pets in the world. However, there always comes a time when you need to put your dog on a lead and in this situation it is good to have an obedient dog. Often dogs will follow their owners if their bond is paired over time with a great deal of reinforcement. If your dog walks behind you on the lead this maybe for a couple of reasons. I mean be firm. It could also mask their scent to potential prey as well. As with anything, any behavior that you deem unacceptable should be corrected, however, you should also consider what the actual cause of the behavior is before committing to treatment or retraining. Boredom and stress are two of the most common causes that can explain ‘‘why does my dog hump my leg.’’ A dog that lives a sedentary routine and/or in a negative environment can easily develop symptoms of stress and boredom. This is where it is trying to protect something that it thinks belongs to it such as its spot on the bed or the food it is eating. As mentioned before dogs are pack animals and the welfare of the pack is the most important thing on their mind. When tired, they tend to lag behind. You are in charge of everything good in your dog's life. However, there are times when they walk behind me, usually as the pavement starts to narrow or after they have been walking for some time. Teaching Fido to associate you with negatives (fear, pain, anxiety) will only make his behavior worse and your job much, much harder. Since he views you as the leader, walking behind … There’s no need to change this behavior. However, if you have an obedient dog then a harness has to be more comfortable for them. My 4 year old Duck Toller walks behind me like a little duckling. If still not, put the leash into a … Your dog is aware of their place in the pack and see’s you as a figure of authority, whilst respecting you as the leader. As your companion, they will follow you around making sure they are involved in everything you do. My dog Benny 12 lbs., appears under the weather for a few days. Off lead, walking is one of the best forms of dog walking and one that I highly encourage, but it can create a very tired dog. This will show your dog that they can make their own decisions but when you want them to do something they will still be obedient. It is better to be safe than sorry, particularly with regards to our precious pets. 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