Dogs are smart animals and will often single out one person to follow, sometimes even to the exclusion of others. If your dog shows affection toward other members of the family, or you're being introduced to the dog for whatever reason, it just may take some time for him to warm up to you. Take your dog to potty before bedtime, invite your dog to his bed, provide him a bedtime snack, lower the lights and tell your dog nigh-night. Puppies will typically follow their two-legged parents very closely and may do so less once they mature and become more confident in different situations. This may be a reason to be concerned. Heres what can help you along the way: Show your dog some (more) love, especially when they enter the bedroom. He wont sleep in the bed, doesnt really want me to pet him. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do to get it to follow you more. Often, this may mean something is wrongthat they arent feeling well or something in their body has changed and is making them less confident, like a loss of sight or hearing. The only big change has been Ive been going to work and spending a lot more time at my desk. Maybe you can train him to give high-fives or praise him with a healthy treat every time he lets you pet his head for a short moment. Learn how heading back to school and suddenly leaving your pet home alone impacts them, and how you can help ease the transition. Themes Once they listen to you, pet them, hug them or even give them their favorite treat. Often time we are unknowingly training our dogs. When pet parents make a big deal about arriving home and leaving the house, this can worsen anxiety behaviors. It's likely not about you at all. Dogs aim to please their pet parents, and every pet is different; consider how your dog may be seeking your attention. Dogs love exercises. Cats seclude themselves and lose interest in their pet parents when they feel ill or when something is wrong. This is like trapping your dog in a cage all the time and never letting them free or out of it. Make sure your dog's needs for exercise, training and mental stimulation are met. Keep in mind that what you think is stressful is different from what your dog may see as stressful, and even small things can produce anxiety and cause them to not want to eat. Overall, you know your dog, and you know what will work and what will not. She shares her home with her retired teaching beagle, Dasher, and a trouble-making orange cat named Julius. So, why doesnt my dog get excited to see me anymore? But I think this started before they started staying home more and after Id been working for a bit. Why Does My Dog Want To Sleep With Me All Of A Sudden? Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior. Here are a few examples you can try right away to help rebuild a bond or start a new relationship on the right foot, or paw: Just remember, it may appear that your dog or cat seem distant, but that doesn't mean your pet doesn't love you. Instead, it would help to be calm around it and to use positive reinforcement training to change its behavior. When pet parents make a big deal about arriving home and leaving the house, this can worsen anxiety behaviors. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com. Instead, you find yourself wondering why your dog isn't affectionate toward you and trying to figure out if it is you or your dog that is the problem here. They went from being wolves living in packs to dogs living in packs with humans. She reacts normally to me when I join her (like giving me berries or wanting me to . Feed your cat meals at consistent times throughout the day. Though your dog may not like to cuddle on your lap, he may be trying to show you how happy he is your presence just look for the clues. One reason your pup might not want to walk is that he is physically uncomfortable. Jessica Lempert, CPDT-KA, a trainer with Philly and South Jersey Unleashed explains, these four common reasons why and what to do about them. Not sure if it's a bug but even tho I befriended Virginia and she had been staying at my shelter for a while she at some point hasn't returned to my shelter anymore. Never let food be your main source of affection because you'll teach him bad habits and, worse, you can put his weight at risk by overfeeding him. When this happens several times, your dog could start avoiding the bedroom. About our Ads. Do this several times a day. Your pets health information at your fingertips, 2022 Great Pet Media. Its easy and natural to start showing your dog affection when they get close to you during the day. Most dog owners have experienced some variation of this scenario at some point or another, and, for some, it may even be a daily occurrence. For example, if it does it when a certain person or animal is not around, it might be the case that it is afraid of that person or animal. Finally, if you want to encourage more cuddles from your pet, you'll have to work on training him to be more affectionate. By playing along, it's as if your dog is saying, "I have brought you this gift of a slobber-and-dirt-covered ball because I care about you." By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog and to rule out medical causes. My boyfriend (23M) and I (22F) have been together for nearly 4 years now. Well, when dogs start getting old, their mobility, energy, and willingness to accept a variety of situations decrease. Your dog is comfortable and knows if you leave, you will come back, There Might be issues with diet if changed recently, Your dog may see you as the alpha and wait for your command, Show your dog you are the boss do not let them boss you around, Teach them simple commands like sit, lie down, and stay, Practice with a leash so they get the general feel, While on the leash, take your dog to a public place, so you get the chance to correct them if they try to stray, Once you are at this point, take your dog somewhere that isnt very populated and start your walk off the leash. Pet or groom your cat nightly. Puppies are a bit of a special case when it comes to following people around. If you brought home your dog before the age of about 12 weeks, he most likely imprinted on you, seeing you as a parent-type figure. Your dog could have chosen a spot that suits them best to guard you successfully. The same instincts that kick in with wild dogs are present in our canine companions. When I go to recruit another companion, the game asks me to send my current companion (who isn't following me around) to go somewhere. But having too much of it is already going to cause your dog depression. Behavioral. Another possible cause could be that your dog naturally is ok with being alone. Doing this will be a great way to train them when you are outside on walks or out in public anywhere. After all, their joints and bones become more sensitive with age. My 1 year old dog doesn't seem to love me anymore. Read more. Separation anxiety is a very common behavioral disorder, with one study finding a prevalence of 17 percent in a large population of dogs (2). gcse.async = true; Dogs are extremely loving, and their ability to show this emotion tends to fall into a few different categories. Like humans, dogs can display nervous ticks that come out when they're around someone who makes them a bit uncomfortable. There might be larger, more underlying issues, but as long as the behavior isnt new or problematic, you shouldnt be worried. Now, its not over yet. The cause might also be that it has gotten an injury or illness. This would be more likely if it started doing it suddenly after you started shouting or getting mad at it. There can be an adjustment period for both dogs and humans, so remind yourself that sometimes when you may think "My dog doesn't like me," he's really just taking time to get to know you. Weve all had the experienceyou walk to the kitchen to refill your drink, and your little shadow is underfoot. While their independent nature may not be what you were hoping for, give it time. Just be gentle and make sure to never place that thing near your dog ever again. I dont know what Ive done wrong. "If the dog is fearful, he may cower or crouch, pull back his ears, tuck his tail, hide, or tremble . Researchshows that human sleep efficiency is higher when you and your dog dont sleep in the same bed (its ok to sleep in the same room). Just as we enjoy their companionship, they often like ours as well. If your dog is stressed theyll have trouble falling asleep. If you have a new partner for example, your dog might not like to share the bed with them. The simple answer to this question is, Why not, since I follow you everywhere else? But its not that simple. You can get the first month free using This link. Passion, motivation, happiness most of all, spirit. Do not scold your dog for following you around because this can lead to fear and may also reinforce the behavior as a result of you giving your dog attention when the behavior is performed. Rule out feline health concerns, such as arthritis, diabetes or kidney disease, which are three of the seven most common illnesses in senior cats, says PetMD. It would help to consider what else happened when it stopped getting excited to see you since an event might have caused it to start behaving differently. Herding dogs, including Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers, were bred to follow human orders to perform specific jobs. I know he loves me and cares for me yet it feels like he doesn't if that makes any sense. Finally, your dog may simply be showing his affection for you in other ways. Health isn't the only reason a dog's behavior changes. Your doggo will not like this so it may prefer to stay away, especially if it . Add to this the fact that dogs have an excellent sense of smell, and they do not always match our taste in smells. Although it may seem odd and out of character, it is normal for dogs not always to follow their owner. Often, in a situation like this, your dogs excitement gets the best of them, and all logic goes out the window. When your dog comes to you, and you are ready to give the treat, grab their collar. You stumble out of bed, half asleep, to make that oh-so-necessary cup of coffee and nearly fall flat on your face because your dog is following you a little too closely.. He would never be the one to ask for sex but at one point we didn't have sex for 2 months . Any changes in routine, even small ones, may be reason for your dog to act disinterested in you. This may be a reason your old dog suddenly acts more clingy. It can come as a surprise when your dog suddenly decides not to sleep with you. Sorry to hear your dog doesn't sleep with you like he used to. Not everyone enjoys a lot of physical closeness. You stumble out of bed, half asleep, to make that oh-so-necessary cup of coffee and nearly fall flat on your face because your dog is following you a, Following Behavior in Dogs: Why it Happens, Dogs were first domesticated at least 15,000 years ago (. Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, Its six oclock in the morning. And what better way to show it than to stick close to your buddy? The bed is small and you two are touching each other. The act like they would be if they are told to stay at a base. According to PetMD, here is one way your cat may try to show her love: "The head bump. It would help to ensure that it is eating the right diet and that nobody else has been feeding it without you knowing. If your dog is normally pretty independent, but all of a sudden becomes excessively clingy, its time for a trip to your veterinarian. There are many other possible signs of affection. A tired dog is usually a content dog and less likely to continually follow their owners. To be sure this is the case, keep an eye on your dog and try to notice if theyre strolling around the house. Puppies Poop A Lot: How To Know Its Getting Too Bad? It's six o'clock in the morning. If you switch your expectations and totally ignore your dog while they are following you and only pay attention or give treats once your dog has settled in another area, you will start to break the habit of trailing you to get something. It might take a while for a dog to warm up to you. In this case, if you start feeding and exercising it, yourself, again it will likely start giving you more attention. We love food, dont we?! It's possible that your furry friend is stopping your walks because he's experiencing long-term pain particularly joint pain, caused by conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia. The4legged.com was established with the goal to equip you with knowledge about nutrition, common diseases, habits of your dogs. It will help to consult your veterinarian for advice, particularly if your dog becomes overly anxious when separated from you. Any time a dogs behavior changes markedly and suddenly, it is time to schedule a checkup. So, if a dog is avoiding a special snack just to avoid being near you, that's a sign they may not feel comfortable in your presence. If it causes you or someone else to trip, it can be dangerous as well. In other cases, some dogs just get bored, so they figure that if youre doing something, why not tag along? Remember, a dog that doesn't like you might actually just be kind of scared of you and this fear can manifest itself in physical ways. If your dog panics when they are separated from you, this is concerning and should be treated. Dont touch my friend! Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat, Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition, Nutrition based on Hill's ground-breaking study on ingredients that build a lean muscle physique for a healthier dog, Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), My Dog Is Not Affectionate Toward Me Why? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Scan this QR code to download the app now. "You're not best friends with everyone, so you shouldn't expect your dog to love everyone they meet. Below are some things you can do if you want your dog to follow you more. However, some breeds are known to be Velcro dogs and in fact, have been bred to be companions, such as Chihuahuas. That being said, I understand that you have some concerns. Correct them if they stop and sniff and keep a fast pace so they will not fall behind. So, you're not alone if you think you have a standoffish cat. A sudden change in behavior like acting distant is typically an important-enough reason for you to take the dog to the vet. Hey David, thanks for sharing your experience. Common reasons why your dog doesnt get excited to see you anymore are being intimidated, having an injury or illness, an issue with its diet, or depression. Common reasons why your dog does not follow you are intimidation, injury or illness, an issue with its diet, depression, or it might naturally be independent. If your dog has always been a confident, independent dog and has suddenly become clingy, theres a good chance they are trying to tell you something. Why doesnt my dog get excited when I come home? Persistence is vital, so whatever way you decide to train your dog, follow the same routine as they will learn best with repetition. It would help if you were wary, though this can create an unhealthy relationship, and your dog may become too attached to you. Instead, it would help to use positive reinforcement training to get it to behave the way you want and to be calm around it. Try to keep things balanced. Turn off TVs, radios, or other devices that could emit noise (such as smartphones with constantly popping notifications). My dog chewed my favorite slippers and for the life of me, I can't find a replacement anywhere. 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