Why can't I take an animal follower?

I am a vampire lord and have no followers to speak of besides Lydia who stays in my Breezehome in Whiterun, however I want Vigilance as my follower animal because he's very loyal and has an average attack damage.

But whenever I ask the stablesmans son, he always says, "You already have an animal with you," And I freaking have no animals!

Maybe I have a pet left at Lakeview Manor?

So I went back there and no pets.

Does it count kids as pets?

Please help, this is stressing me out because I cannot get a Death Hound either.

Solution 1:

Try using the following console command:

set playerfollowercount to 0

If that doesn't work, try reinstalling all follower mods (if you have any).