Introduction
Do you ever wonder why your dog walks behind you? It turns out there are actually quite a few reasons for this behavior.
Dogs enjoy walking behind their humans because it makes them feel safe and secure. Walking behind their humans also gives dogs a chance to explore their surroundings and take in all the sights and smells.
Additionally, dogs who walk behind their humans tend to be more well-behaved than those who don’t. They are less likely to pull on the leash or wander off, and they are also less likely to get into fights with other dogs.
Furthermore, walking behind their humans gives dogs a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They feel like they are part of the pack and are working together with their human to get somewhere.
Finally, dogs who walk behind their humans are less likely to get lost or injured.
So next time your dog falls into line behind you, remember that they’re not just being obedient – they’re actually doing what comes naturally to them!
9 Reasons Why Your Dog Walks Behind You
- Your dog could be trying to protect you from potential danger. By walking behind you, your dog can keep an eye on what’s going on around you and be ready to jump into action if necessary.
- Dogs are natural followers, and they may simply feel more comfortable walking behind you because they see you as the leader of the pack.
- Walking behind you gives your dog a better view of your backside, which may be a comfort thing for them (especially if they’re prone to separation anxiety).
- If your dog is walking behind you, it could be a sign that they’re not feeling well. Dogs who are in pain or feeling sick will often walk hunched over or lag behind on walks.
- Some dogs just prefer the smell of their human’s rear end over anything else! While this might sound gross to us, dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than we do and can actually find comfort in certain scents (including our own).
- If your dog lags behind on walks but otherwise seems happy and healthy, they could simply be tired – especially if they’re elderly or out of shape. Older dogs or those with health conditions like arthritis may find it more difficult to keep up with humans on walks.
- It could also be that your dog is trying to avoid being walked too fast for their liking. Dogs have different walking speeds just like humans do, so if yours is naturally slower then they may hang back instead of struggling to keep up with you the whole time.
- Walking behind you gives your dog a chance to take in all the sights and smells around them without having to worry about dodging feet or getting stepped on (which can happen when humans walk too fast for their canine companions).
- Last but not least, some dogs simply enjoy being close to their human and prefer to walk right behind them regardless of any other factors!
Things to Consider about Your Dog Walking Behind You:
When you’re out on a walk, does your dog lag behind or hang back? Do they try to walk on the other side of you, or do they dutifully stay by your heel? If so, you might be wondering why your dog walks behind you.
There are a few possible explanations for this behavior.
It could be that your dog is trying to assert their dominance over you. Dogs are hierarchical creatures, and in the wild, the alpha male (or female) leads the pack.
By walking behind you, your dog may be trying to show that they see themselves as being above you in the pack order.
Alternatively, it could simply be that your dog is shy or anxious around strangers. If they’re uncomfortable with people they don’t know, they may try to stay close to you as a way of seeking comfort and security.
Finally, it’s possible that your dog is just following their natural instincts. In the wild, predators typically hunt alone or in small packs. Prey animals, on the other hand, tend to travel in large herds.
By walking behind you, your dog may feel like they’re part of a larger group and thus safer from predators.
Of course, there’s no way to know for sure why your dog walks behind you without observing their behavior closely and consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
However, keep in mind that there are many potential reasons for this behavior and it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s anything wrong with your dog.
How to Stop Your Dog from Walking Behind You?
It can be frustrating when your dog seems determined to run behind you, especially if it’s preventing you from enjoying walks together. But don’t worry – with a little patience and training, you can get your dog walking nicely by your side in no time! Here’s how:
- Start with short walks around the block, gradually increasing the length as your dog gets used to walking with you.
- If your dog starts to lag behind or run ahead, stop and wait for them to catch up. Once they’re by your side again, resume walking. Repeat as needed until they understand that they need to stay by your side.
- Reward your dog for walking nicely beside you with treats, petting, or verbal praise. This will help reinforce good behavior and make walks more enjoyable for both of you!
- If your dog is still having trouble staying by your side, try using a leash attachment that goes around their waist instead of their neck. This will give you more control and help prevent them from getting too far ahead or behind you.
- With consistency and patience, soon enough your dog will be happily walking by your side on all of your adventures together!
How do I Tell my Dog I am the Boss?
The easiest way to establish yourself as the boss is to be consistent with your commands and expectations.
Be consistent with commands
Dogs are very intelligent creatures and they will quickly learn what you expect from them if you are consistent. This means that you should always give the same commands in the same situations and reward or punish your dog accordingly.
For example, if you always make your dog sit before going for a walk, he will soon learn that this is what you expect from him. Similarly, if you always give your dog a treat when he comes when called, he will learn that this is something that pleases you and is worth doing.
Be assertive with your dog
It is also important to be assertive with your dog. This does not mean being aggressive, but rather being firm and confident in your commands.
Dogs can sense when their owners are unsure of themselves and they will often take advantage of this by ignoring commands or behaving badly. However, if you are calm and confident in your authority, your dog will be more likely to respect and obey you.
Make your dog follow you
There are a few other things you can do to show your dog that you are the boss. For example, make sure you go first through doorways and let your dog wait patiently until you invite him to follow.
You should also eat first and feed your dog after yourself. These may seem like small things, but they send a clear message to your dog that you are the leader of the pack.
FAQs
Q: Why Does My Dog Walk While Peeing?
A: Dogs walk while peeing because they want to mark their territory. When a dog urinates, they release pheromones that communicate to other dogs that this is their territory.
By walking while they pee, they are able to spread their scent over a larger area and mark more of their territory.
Q: Should my dog walk behind me?
A: It is perfectly normal for your dog to walk behind you. In fact, it is often seen as a sign of respect. Dogs are pack animals and in the wild, the alpha female would lead the pack while the rest of the pack followed behind.
Your dog sees you as the leader of the pack and wants to follow your lead.
Q: Why Does My Dog Walk So Slowly?
A: There are a few reasons why your dog might walk slowly. It could be that they are tired, elderly, or not feeling well. Another possibility is that they are trying to conserve energy so that they can have more stamina for playing or running later on.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s slow pace, talk to your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing it.
Q: How do you tell if your dog respects you?
A: There are a few ways you can tell if your dog respects you:
-They make eye contact with you
-They listen when you ask them to do something
-They come when you call them
-They don’t pull on the leash
-They let you pet them without getting too excited
Q: How often should you walk your dog?
A: The general guideline is that dogs should be walked at least once a day, but ideally two or three times a day depending on their breed and exercise needs.
Puppies and senior dogs may not be able to handle long walks, so shorter, more frequent walks are better for them.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why your dog may walk behind you. It is important to consider all of these factors before deciding whether or not to change your dog’s behavior.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you do decide to stop your dog from walking behind you.
- First, be consistent with your commands and rewards.
- Second, never punish your dog for walking behind you; this will only serve to confuse and scare him.
- Finally, remain patient and understanding during the training process; it may take some time for your dog to adjust to his new walking habits.
If you have any further questions about why your dog walks behind you, or how to change his behavior, please consult a professional trainer or behaviorist.
