It’s time to go to the bathroom.
When suddenly…
“Tap, tap.”
You hear your furry friend walking right behind you.
Or maybe you’re brushing your teeth and as you look down…
Your pooch is right there watching you.
Which makes you wonder:
“Why does my dog keep following me to the bathroom?”
Read on to find out:
- Whether you should be concerned or not.
- 10 reasons why your dog follows you to the bathroom.
- Why your dog sits next to you when you go to the toilet.
- And many more…
Why do dogs follow you to the bathroom?
Your dog follows you to the bathroom because they want to protect you, support you, socialize with you or love being around you. They also do this due to pack mentality, curiosity, a part of breed trait, or separation anxiety. Or it may be because they love the smell in the bathroom.
Top 10 reasons why dogs follow you to the bathroom
#1: Your dog is protecting you
“Must protect my hooman at all cost!”
Do you notice your dog watching the bathroom door as you do your business?
If yes, then they might be guarding you.
In the wild, wolves live in groups called packs. When they hunt, they would travel in pairs.
They do this even while doing their business. One is on guard while the other poops and vice versa.
So, when your canine goes to the bathroom with you, it could be part of their protective instinct.
Domesticated dogs do this as their way to keep their humans safe.
They need to make sure that you’re always protected. Even inside the bathroom.
“But why does my dog stare at me while I’m on the toilet?”
Dogs feel vulnerable while pooping. In their minds, you are in a vulnerable position too.
Staring at you could be their way of showing you that they have your back.
Dogs will also stare at you because they are:
- Begging for food.
- Feeling confused.
- Seeking attention.
- Reading your body language.
Interesting fact: One research found that it is easier for short-headed dogs to form eye contact with a stranger.
Following you could also mean that they want you to return the favor. And expects you to protect them while they poop as well.
Further reading: These 13 Signs Show That Your Dog Is Protective Over You
#2: Your dog is curious
“Hooman, are you having fun in there?”
Dogs are curious creatures. And they are curious about anything you do.
Did you know it’s easy to tell when your pooch is curious by their body language?
Look out for:
- Tail up.
- Staring.
- Sniffing.
- Barking.
- Ears up.
- Stalking.
- Being alert.
When you walk around the house, they will wonder where you are going.
This also happens when you go to the bathroom. They want to know what’s going on inside.
They might be curious why you’re there all the time. Or they might hear the toilet flush and wonder:
“Why does that funny drinking bowl make loud noises?”
The next time your fur baby follows you, they just want to understand what you’re doing.
And would hate missing out on anything fun!
#3: Your dog doesn’t understand privacy
“Hooman, are you poopin’?”
You’re about to do your business when suddenly…
You see your fur baby running towards the bathroom door.
To your dog, there’s no such thing as privacy. The bathroom is just another part of the house.
They see it as a place where they can freely join you. And following you to the bathroom could simply mean they can’t leave you alone.
“But how about my personal space?”
I understand, there are times when you need a little alone time. And setting boundaries can be good for your dog.
You can train your pooch to respect your personal space by following these steps:
- When your dog comes close to you, start with the stop hand signal.
- Combine the hand signal with a simple command like “No” or “Stop”. This will let your dog know how to wait for your permission.
- If they stop, reward your dog with some praise or a treat.
- Slowly increase the duration of time you leave your dog waiting. It doesn’t have to be too long, just enough to help them get the hang of it. Reward them again if they don’t bark, whine or scratch at the door.
- Be consistent and continue practicing. In time, your dog will know when to stop and wait for your approval before entering your space.
#4: Your dog wants to socialize
Dogs enjoy the company of humans. They are at their happiest when they’re with their fur parents.
They could follow you to the bathroom because they miss you. Or they just love your company.
This is how they socialize.
If you got your pooch as a puppy, they might look at you as their parent.
This could mean that you are the most trusted person in their life. And they want to stay as close to you as possible!
Now, isn’t that just too sweet?
On the other hand, they could also follow you because they lack socialization.
Did you know that when a dog isn’t socialized enough, it could lead to negative behavior?
Here are signs to look out for:
- Hard to handle.
- Aggressiveness.
- Excessively shy.
- Nervous around people.
- Generalized fearfulness.
- Uncomfortable around other dogs.
“But how can I fix this?”
To solve it, make sure that you do the following:
- Be consistent.
- Walk them daily.
- Go to the dog park.
- Attend dog classes.
#5: This is part of your dog’s breed trait
While there are dogs who enjoy following you around. There are also dogs who do it because it’s part of their breed.
Do you know if your pooch is a velcro dog?
“Velcro dog? What’s that?”
They are dogs that love to follow you around! They can also be extra clingy.
If you go to the kitchen, they will be right beside you.
If you go to sleep, they will lie next to you.
And if you go to the bathroom, they will sit and stare at you. Patiently waiting for you to pee.
There are certain breeds that are most likely to be velcro dogs. Here are some of them:
- Pug.
- Maltese.
- Border Collie.
- Golden Retriever.
- German Sheperd.
- Italian Greyhound.
But did you know that some dogs can develop velcro dog syndrome?
This condition is more common in lap and working dogs.
“How is that possible?”
Dogs can develop this syndrome due to the following causes:
- Being bored.
- Underlying medical issue.
- Changes in vision or hearing.
- Moving into a new environment.
- If you’re encouraging clingy behavior.
As a responsible pet parent, there are things you could do to avoid this.
It’s best to train them to be independent while they’re young.
It would also help to buy them toys. They could focus somewhere else rather than your movements.
While doing this, also make sure to give them enough bonding time. This will keep them from being too clingy.
#6: Your dog has separation anxiety
It’s normal for your pooch to want to be around you most of the time. That’s one of the best parts of having a dog.
But if they cry nonstop when you close the bathroom door… Or if they do any destructive behavior while you’re away…
Then your dog may have separation anxiety.
According to Veterinary Partner, many dogs with separation anxiety could have more than one behavioral problem.
So, it’s best to look for these signs:
- Pacing.
- Barking
- Digging.
- Howling.
- Shaking.
- Chewing.
- Urinating.
- Escaping.
If your dog has records of traumatic experiences then they are most likely to develop this condition.
A study also suggests that separation anxiety can be caused by a dog’s temperament, relationship, and interaction.
When your pooch becomes too clingy, it can also lead to anxiety. Here are some tips you can do to reduce clinginess:
- Setting boundaries.
- Practicing alone time.
- Setting their own space.
- Increasing daily exercise.
- Increasing daily activities.
Note: If you think this is a problem with your dog, consult your vet for proper advice.
#7: Your dog is showing his support
“I’m always here to support you, mommy!”
If dogs could speak that’s one thing they would tell you.
While you may think your dog is clueless about your needs. This isn’t always the case.
Dogs are one of the most loyal creatures.
If they could, there’s no doubt they’d help you with everything. Even if it includes supporting you to go the bathroom.
Did you know that dogs can read your body language?
The following are signs to know if your dog understands you:
- Being alert.
- Wagging tail.
- Ears perking.
- Tucking of the tail.
- Moving to where you’re signaling at.
- Barking or whining when sensing danger.
If they think there is something wrong, they will try to comfort you. They cheer you up by being around you.
So the next time your pooch follows you to the bathroom, don’t get mad. This could just be their way to brighten up your mood.
#8: Your dog loves being around you
Sometimes, the reason why your fur baby is following you is simple:
They love being around you!
While the time you were gone may seem short to you, it may have felt like years for your dog.
And the second they see you again, they can’t help but follow you around.
Your dog would gladly join you in any activity. Yes, including your bathroom visits.
Following you to the bathroom could also be their way of saying that they love you.
According to WebMD, the following are ways to know your dog loves you:
- Excitement.
- Eye contact.
- Physical contact.
- Sleeping beside you.
- Following you around.
You might also like: Why does my dog sit so close to me?
#9: Your dog is trying to tell you something
When your pup is checking up on you while you pee, they could be saying,
“Mommy, you forgot to take me out for a walk!”
Sometimes, dogs follow you around to tell you something.
Maybe you forgot to take them for a walk. Or perhaps you forgot that it’s time for lunch.
Either way, they want to know that there’s something you forgot to do for them.
But did you know that there’s a way to know if your pooch is trying to tell you something?
Unfortunately, they can’t speak. So they express their feelings through their body language.
To know if they are communicating with you. Look out for the following signs:
- Posture.
- Barking.
- Panting.
- Whining.
- Body stance.
- Tail wagging.
- Facial expression.
They may also do this to tell you that they want something inside the bathroom.
Your dog may look weirdly at you wondering..
“Why is this hooman sitting over my drinking bowl?”
Maybe they’re trying to tell you to stay away from the toilet.
It’s a funny thought. As you can never be too sure what your dog is thinking.
Reading tip: 13 Reasons Why Your Dog Grunts And Groans (All The Time)
#10: Your dog loves the smell of your bathroom
Dogs can smell better than humans. They can also obtain different information through their nose.
Plus, canines love to sniff everything in sight! They could be curious about the different kinds of smells inside your bathroom.
They could also love smelling your scent inside.
“Say what?”
I know, that may sound gross.
But since the bathroom includes a lot of scents that you use, it probably smells like you too.
Interesting fact: Researchers found that a dog’s brain actively responds to the scent of a familiar human.
Other fun facts about a dog’s sense of smell are the following:
- Dogs can “see” with their nose.
- Dogs track time through their nose.
- Dogs communicate by sniffing each other.
- Dogs can smell emotions through their nose.
Don’t forget to check out: Why Does My Dog Sleep In The Bathroom? 9 Weird Reasons
Why does my dog sit next to me on the toilet?
Dogs sit next to you on the toilet to act as a “lookout” while you do your business. They do this because they know you are vulnerable.
As part of your dog’s pack, they want to make sure that you don’t go anywhere unguarded. And if anything unexpected happens, they will be there to protect you.