You get up from the sofa. Your dog gets up from the sofa.

You walk to the kitchen. Your dog walks to the kitchen.

You go to the bathroom. Your dog sits outside the door like a furry security detail, waiting for you to emerge from this mysterious room where they're not allowed.

It's flattering. It's sweet. Sometimes it's a little much. But is it normal?

Usually, yes. Sometimes, no. Here's how to tell the difference.

Why Following Is (Usually) Completely Normal

Dogs have been bred for thousands of years to work alongside humans. Herding, hunting, guarding—all jobs that required staying close and paying attention to us. That instinct didn't disappear when they moved onto our sofas.

When your dog follows you, they're often just doing what feels natural:

Curiosity. You're the most interesting thing in their world. Where are you going? What are you doing? Is food involved? Probably worth investigating.

Companionship. They genuinely enjoy being near you. Not because they need something—just because your presence feels good.

Routine. Dogs are pattern creatures. If you going to the kitchen often results in a dropped bit of cheese, they'll follow you to the kitchen. Every. Single. Time.

Breed tendency. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to shadow their humans. Velcro breeds like Vizslas, German Shepherds, and Border Collies were bred to work in close partnership. Following is in their DNA.

When Following Becomes a Warning Sign

There's a difference between a dog who likes to be near you and a dog who can't cope without you. The second one is struggling.

Signs that following has crossed into anxiety territory:

They panic when you leave the room. Whining, pacing, scratching at doors. Not just following—frantic distress the moment you're out of sight.

They can't settle. Even when you're home, they can't relax unless they're touching you or watching you constantly. Hypervigilance, not contentment.

Destructive behaviour when alone. Chewing doors, scratching floors, attempting escape. This isn't boredom—it's panic.

Physical symptoms. Excessive drooling, panting, or toileting accidents when you leave—even briefly.

Sudden change. A previously independent dog who suddenly won't let you out of their sight. This can indicate pain, illness, cognitive decline in older dogs, or a traumatic experience.

The Simple Test

Next time you get up to leave the room, watch your dog's body language:

Healthy attachment: They might glance up, decide whether to follow, maybe stretch and trot after you casually. Body relaxed. Tail neutral or wagging. No urgency.

Anxiety: Immediate alertness. Tense body. Following with intensity. If you close a door between you, listen for whining, scratching, or pacing. These dogs aren't following out of love—they're following out of fear.

What To Do If It's Anxiety

Separation anxiety is treatable, but it takes patience. A few things that help:

Practice micro-separations. Close the bathroom door for 30 seconds. Step outside and come straight back in. Build their tolerance slowly, proving each time that you always return.

Reward calm independence. When they settle on their own—even across the room—that's worth a quiet "good dog." Don't make a fuss when you leave or return.

Create a safe space. A bed or crate (door open) in a quiet spot where they can retreat. Some dogs feel more secure with a defined "den."

Consider calming support. Some dogs benefit from natural calming supplements during the training process. Ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, and L-theanine can help take the edge off without sedation—making it easier for them to learn that alone time isn't scary.

Rule out medical causes. Sudden clinginess in older dogs can signal pain or cognitive changes. A vet check is always worthwhile if the behaviour is new.

The Power of a Busy Brain

Here's something most owners don't realise: mental work tires a dog out faster than physical exercise.

An anxious dog following you room to room is often an understimulated dog. Their brain is looking for a job. You've become that job.

One of the simplest interventions? Give them something to figure out. A snuffle mat or forage feeder turns mealtime into a 15-minute problem-solving session. Scatter their kibble, let them hunt for it. That nosework isn't just fun—it's genuinely calming. Sniffing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate and reducing stress hormones.

Better still, use it strategically. Before you leave the house, scatter some treats in a snuffle mat. Now your departure is associated with something good—and by the time they've finished foraging, the initial panic window has passed.

The Bottom Line

A dog who follows you from room to room is usually just a dog who thinks you're wonderful. That's not clingy. That's companionship working exactly as intended.

But if following comes with distress—if they can't relax, can't settle, can't cope with a closed door—that's worth addressing. Not because it's annoying, but because an anxious dog isn't a happy dog.

Your shadow deserves to feel secure, even when you're in the next room.

P.S. If your dog struggles with alone time, you're not alone. It's one of the most common behavioural issues—and one of the most fixable with the right approach.