A dog is someone you could always depend on to be by your side even when you don’t really need it, just like whenever you go to the bathroom. While you are doing your thing, most pups will sit on the doormat. While you’re showering or brushing your teeth, some doggies will keep an eye on you. Most people may find it cute, while others may find it irritating.
You definitely know that having a dog means having little privacy from their adorable faces, but have you ever thought about why this involves the bathroom? What’s the deal with dogs following you to the bathroom? No one can tell you the specific reason. However, there are a few possibilities to consider.
Dogs may follow you to the bathroom for a variety of reasons. It could be because they’re curious about what you’re doing, bored or insecure, in search of a tasty treat, it’s a common thing for their breed, they don’t want you to leave them. Or simply, it is because they care about you and don’t want anything bad to happen to you at the vulnerable location.
We understand that your time in the bathroom is not a private moment for your doggie. You’re not the only one, though; practically every dog enjoys following their fur parents to the bathroom. Continue reading to learn the most common reasons why dogs always follow you into the bathroom!
What Does It Mean If Your Dog Follows You To The Bathroom?
Your pup’s instincts are the main reason why you are being followed to the bathroom. Dogs have always been drawn to the people they truly care about. Occasionally, dogs will follow you everywhere because of their deep connection and eagerness to be with the people they care about.
Another thing is that because they regard you as their leader, dogs will follow you into the bathroom to guard you when you’re uncovered. They’re also sometimes fascinated by the small place you keep locking yourself up in.
If you took your puppy home before it was approximately 12 weeks old, it was certainly hooked on you and saw you as a parent figure. Puppies usually follow their fur parents quite closely at first, but as they age and gain confidence in new situations, they may do so less.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that certain breeds are much more susceptible to this behavior than others. Driven by the desire to be connected to your side, these breeds are known as “Velcro dogs.” The following breeds are regarded as Velcro dogs:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- French Bulldog
- Border Collie
- Chihuahua
- Doberman Pinscher
- Maltese
- Poodle
Continue reading the section below to discover more about the other reasons why your dog may be following you to the bathroom. These will help you and your furry friend have a clear grasp and form a better bond.
Separation Anxiety
When dogs are left alone for an extended period of time, they can experience separation anxiety. Whenever your pooch is shut out from the bathroom while you are using it, the following signs of separation anxiety may arise:
- Having mental instability
- Being destructive
- Gets upset easily
- Whining
You can first bring your doggie with you, but this is not a long-term solution. Your pooch will usually want to spend more time with you as necessary, but you should be concerned if it can’t go a moment without you. Therefore, if you discover that your doggie is suffering from separation anxiety, you should get medical assistance from a veterinarian.
Curiosity
You may be aware that dogs are naturally curious. Although this behavior has been related to the pack mentality, it can also be believed to have originated solely from the animal’s curiosity. Your pup’s inherent curiosity may be satisfied whenever it accompanies you into the bathroom.
Canines are usually curious about what’s going on and want to engage in the fun. This is particularly true for dogs who are confined to their homes and must follow the same routine daily. Your doggie will naturally begin to anticipate any chance to participate in household activities, which include your bathroom visits.
Boredom
Dogs sometimes become bored, and once it happens, you’ll find that they’ll follow you practically everywhere, even to the bathroom. Dogs need a lot of mental and physical stimulation since they might get frustrated, stressed, and even destructive if they don’t get enough of it.
As a result, try to take your dog out for a walk as often as possible and involve them in as several mentally engaging activities as necessary. If you must leave your pooch alone for a longer period of time than it is used to, make sure toys are available to keep it occupied.
A Way Of Being Protective
Your pooch likes you and only cares about one thing: keeping you safe. This unwavering loyalty may indicate that they are required to remain present in order to defend you from external threats.
Guarding is a natural extension of the pack mentality for dogs. When your pups’ ancestors wandered the woods, they trusted their fellow pack members to keep an eye on them. These wild canines, on the other hand, would always safeguard their pack members.
It’s possible that your dog is clearly following you to protect you while you’re vulnerable. However, if they are guarding you due to fear or separation anxiety, this behavioral issue must be addressed.
They Consider You As A Pack Leader
Your pooch will protect you if you are the pack’s alpha leader. Dogs are pack animals, so it’s natural for them to want to be with their group or pack leader at all times. When you join your dog’s pack, it will feel obligated to follow you around the house.
Although humans may regard bathroom visits as a private moment, dogs do not. As a result, your dog may rush in your bathroom door as well as take a seat next to you. You may possibly be a significant member of your dog’s pack if they seem to follow you everywhere at all times.
They Have No Idea Of The Word “Privacy”
Your furry friend has no concept of privacy, so they do not really understand why you’d want some alone time when going to the bathroom.
Your dog’s ancestors would never be alone since they would constantly work together to attain their goals. If your dog is continuously following you, it’s possible that it may be repeating learned behavior.
Keep in mind that your doggie regards you as a pack member, which may explain why it follows you to the bathroom and stares at you without hesitation.
To your pooch, the bathroom is like every other room in the house, which is why it doesn’t fully comprehend why you would want alone time there.
Insecurity
Your pup may be quite insecure in certain circumstances. That could be the cause for their relentless following and eagerness to spend each moment with you. You must be aware that this is not normal behavior in dogs, so you should respond quickly to avoid more serious problems, such as anxiety.
To Discover New Scents
The bathroom is your dog’s wonderland, with soaps, shampoos, shaving creams, toothpaste, cleaning products, fragrances, and much more. Your pooch is constantly smelling or looking for something else to sniff, so it’s no wonder that they like and await bathroom trips.
You may not understand why your pet likes to sniff the trash bin or unwashed towels because we are all different, although it is an information source for your pooch. So, one of the plausible causes for your dog following you to the bathroom is that it sniffs your entire bathroom and most of your stuff.
It’s Common For Their Breed
Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to follow their owners around than others. Domesticated animals have a natural tendency to express loyalty and kinship to their owners. This dedication could be demonstrated by your dog following you into the bathroom without hesitation. These breeds include the following:
- Border Collie
- Boxer
- Dobermann Pinscher
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
An Expression Of Love
Even in the bathroom, your pooch is expressing love for you by picking up toilet paper to bring it to you. You are your doggie’s favorite person, so it will most likely follow you everywhere you go in your house in order to spend more time with you.
They Are Looking For Some Treats
Your pup’s eagerness to follow you to the bathroom is often totally innocent and playful. Your dog is most likely thinking you’ve hidden some treats in that secret spot. If they seem to be craving a treat or more attention, give it to them before you go into the restroom.
Why Does My Dog Stare At Me When I Use The Toilet?
Your pooch loves you and is intrigued by everything you do and wherever you go, so your pooch might just need to know what goes in the bathroom. That’s one of the reasons your dog glances at you when you’re using the toilet. Your dog simply wishes to communicate with you.
When a dog and its owner make eye contact, oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for love and attachment, and canines, like people, experience it.
More oxytocin is released into the system as a result of eye contact, which aids in the development and strengthening of relationships between people and pets.
Why Do Dogs Watch Me Pee?
Your dog is aware of what you’re doing, and they are concerned about you peeing. If you’ve owned your dog for a time, it has most likely figured out what you do inside the bathroom.
They may assume that by following you to the bathroom, they are keeping an eye out for you during this vulnerable point.
Why Do Dogs Watch Me Poop?
Just like how they ensure your safety while you are peeing, they will also do the same and keep you safe during pooping under their watchful eyes.
When dogs poo, they feel so vulnerable, and they believe you are also in a vulnerable state. Dogs basically keep an eye on their owners for support to keep them safe at this period, just as their owners do when they’re pooping.
Do Dogs Know Whenever I’m Peeing Or Pooping?
Yes, your dog knows whenever you’re peeing or pooping because the aroma of pee and poop can also be used to determine who’s been in the location.
When you observe dogs sniffing the floor, it’s because they’re trying to figure out who was there before them. They can even estimate the number of other canines that have visited the spot.
Why Should You Not Let Your Dog Follow You To The Bathroom?
Following you into the bathroom is a pretty common canine behavior, so don’t be surprised if your doggie follows you around as much as it can.
You may be willing to play or pay attention to your dog occasionally, but if you don’t want to, there’s really no reason you have to entertain your dog every time it follows you to the bathroom.
You may just teach your pooch to stay put when you need to go to the bathroom if there is no underlying medical condition. Essentially, while you’re in the bathroom, give your doggie something else to play with, such as toys or treats.
Whichever you choose, remember that it’s an activity or object that will last whenever you’re not present and that they won’t just carry with them to the bathroom.
What Do I Do After My Dog Followed Me Into The Bathroom?
Admittedly, it can be irritating at times, but it’s perfectly natural for most canines. If your dog appears to be really upset every time you take a long bath, you should consult a veterinarian or behaviorist as this may indicate separation distress or anxiety.
How Do I Manage This Behavior?
There’s really no need to intercede if your pup follows you to the bathroom and shows no indications of anxiety when you tell your pet not to go in because the dog already knows the limitations.
However, suppose your dog follows you to the bathroom because it is overly dependent or has developed a hyper attachment. In that case, it’s indeed important to act in order to restore its mental well-being.
Removing some social engagement is the only method to relieve separation anxiety. You should develop a sense of separation from your dog and stop being overly conscious of them. You can’t abandon them, either.
You can either leave your dog with a favorite toy or bring it to a place where it can socialize with other canines. You may also let other members of your household take them for a stroll and spend quality time with them.
How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Following Me Into The Bathroom?
So you have a clingy pooch who follows you around everywhere, but you want to minimize this habit and give your dog a little more independence.
First, you should remember that excessive attachment is frequently an external reflection of internal instability, which is usually a lack of confidence.
You can teach your pooch the “stay” command to help them become more self-sufficient. This command will teach your doggie that it’s alright to be left alone for a short period of time.
Make sure you proceed carefully and steadily through the process, giving them praise on every step. You might also try distracting your dog by letting them play with their favorite toy.
If that isn’t enough to keep them occupied, consider leaving a treat near the bathroom door. This will not only distract them, but it will also reward them for letting you use the bathroom privately.
Why Do Some Dogs Don’t Follow Their Owner To The Bathroom?
To simply answer this question, some dogs don’t follow their owners to the bathroom because of the way they were developed when they were still puppies. During the early stages of your puppy’s life, their behavioral development is important and will continue to be so as it grows older.
These are the initial encounters that have a significant impact on the puppy’s behavior. It’s a time in their lives when all of their previous experiences have left an unforgettable mark on their future actions.
