He wants you to guard him while he feels vulnerable
Dogs
All about dogs - dog breeds, dog training and behavior, news affecting dog owners or handlers, puppy pics, etc.
Rules (Will be refined later on).
-
Don't be a dick. This should cover most things, just keep in mind that everyone started somewhere and try to be helpful rather than rude or judgmental.
-
No personal attacks based on training style or tools.
Discussion of balanced training including proper use of aversives is allowed here. -
All breeds and mixes are welcome. You can criticize backyard breeding practices but don't pile on people because they own a specific breed or prefer purebreds or mixed breeds.
-
Do not support backyard breeders or puppy mills. Please do not link to or suggest buying from high volume breeders or those with an obvious lack of standards and testing.
-
Do not help or support fake service animals. Please do not encourage people to buy fake service dog vest or ESA letters to get around rental or other restrictions & do not give advice on how to misrepresent a dog as a service or support animal.
I've read somewhere that this is also the reason they try to follow you into the bathroom. Kind of sweet when you think about it.
This might not be you exactly, but I see this a lot: Walk him more, socialize him with other dogs and people more.
Dogs are social creatures and need stimulation. If you opening the door for a pee break is giving him excitement to bond with you and anxiety that you'll abandon him, then he's not getting enough socialization.
Anyone have any tricks for this?
Keep a bullet journal. Mark time and places you spend with him and times he interacts with different people and other dogs. Sometimes, busy people might be really surprised by how neglected their dog's social development is. They need variety.
Only being inside and then in the backyard, alone, barking at any sound or passerby is a miserable existance. Dogs aren't cats.
What size / breed of dog?
My GSD wants to be by my side at all times. My rescue 15lb dog will only poop outside if I am out there but pretending to not see her. My Husky Sheppard would be fine being outside. My pit mix would visit the neighbor and beg treats and hang out with them.
A 30lb corgi so smaller but hefty. It fine right now in the summer but come winter I really don't want to go outside with him when its 10f.
Try doing it gradually. Increase the distance gradually and after he goes give LOTS of praise.
Eventually you should be able to stand in the doorway while he goes.
If I do go out with him for about a min and he runs off I can then go inside and he wouldn't care. So it's not like he's by my side the entire time. Just odd.