dog runs away

Question
My dog likes to follow me everywhere. Why is this? She realy only likes me. She like the rest of my family, but she likes me wayyyy more than them.

One day i walking over to pick some rasberries. I didnt want to bring my dog with becuase she has to cross barbed wire fence and i didn't want her to.

We keep our dog inside when we are inside so i hugged her goodbye. SHe didnt want me to leave of course, but i did anyways.

while i was picking, i heard my son yelling the dogs name, trying to get her to come. Apparently she wasnt. SHe was looking for me. He must have opened to house door to come inside an she bolted out looking for me.

so i ran all the way back to the house, yellled for the dog, and she came running towards me.

she only listens to me and thats a problem. she needs to listen to my son and husband too. And why does she only come to me??

Answer

Hi Brianne,

Some dogs are "one person dogs", while other dogs happily go to anyone or everyone. This can be because of breed, or simply the individual dog's temperament.

You are correct, your dog does need to listen to your son and husband too! A good way of helping your dog to change, is to have your son and husband do all of the feedings, walking, playing, exercising, and grooming that your dog requires. She has to learn to depend on them, and to see them as her leaders. Your husband and son need to be consistent with these daily routines. It would also be helpful to enroll your dog in a dog obedience class, and to have your husband and son do the class and training with the dog. This will also help your dog see them as leaders who must be obeyed.

Until your dog has been reconditioned to accept your family as her leaders, and listens to them as she listens to you, she shouldn't be off the leash, leaving your son or husband unable to control her.

Your dog didn't begin to see you as her one leader over night, and this situation isn't going to be fixed over night. It might take a few months of training at the obedience class, paired with your husband and son taking on all of the dog care, but your dog can be retrained to listen to others in your home. Dogs can form new bonds with humans at any stage of their life.

Best of luck,

Patti