Why Does My Dog Follow Me to the Bathroom?

It's not unusual to be unable to take a single step at home without running into our dog. For many, this close monitoring doesn't stop even when we go to the bathroom. Clearly, dogs don't have the same concept of privacy we do!

Below, we explain why your dog follows you into the bathroom. You might not mind it, but if this behavior bothers you, we also give you solutions to keep your dog out of the bathroom. Shall we begin?

A Dog Is a Social Animal

Dogs are social animals with a pack instinct, meaning generally, their whole life happens within a family group. In other words, they're never alone, and if they happen to get separated, they'll quickly call out to regroup with their family. Wolves do this by howling. Domestic dogs don't need to howl.

But similarly, we're their point of reference, and they won't want to lose sight of us. Not even when we go to the bathroom, even though they're used to our absence when we have no choice but to leave them home alone. Also, keep in mind domestication has prioritized maintaining neoteny.

This means juvenile traits have been sought out and bred for, so they carry over into adulthood too. Neoteny fosters the bond of interdependence between dogs and humans. The result of thousands of years of symbiosis is that dogs need us, appreciate us, and that's why they follow us.

Territorial Behavior in Dogs

On another note, a dog needs to keep control over what it considers its territory. That's why it's not unusual to see it sniffing at points of contact with the outside world, like doors and windows, or sticking its muzzle into any new object we bring home. It's also very common for them to bark, sounding the alarm.

This happens if they detect an intruder nearby. Dogs also watch over and, if needed, defend their basic resources. These include, for example, their food or their bed. But besides keeping watch, they also love knowing what we're doing, in case it's fun, they can join in, or some food falls their way.

In fact, you've surely dropped a piece of food while cooking or eating at some point and let it eat it. Or even given it something. For us, sharing food is a display of affection. Without realizing it, those little bites are interpreted by the dog as rewards, reinforcing its habit of following and "watching" us.

The Dog as Explorer

Besides following us, looking for food, entertainment, or keeping control of the territory, dogs are curious. They're interested in knowing what we're doing inside the bathroom. They want to sniff everything, since scent communication is essential for them. It's no coincidence it's their most developed sense.

Also, their curiosity will grow if, as soon as we go into the bathroom, we close the door and deny them access. If this is the case, some dogs will whine or scratch at the door until we come back out, showing their frustration this way. It's easy to feel moved and end up opening the door. But keep in mind you'll be reinforcing this behavior by doing so.

When Following Us to the Bathroom Is a Behavioral Problem

Our dog's company in the bathroom might not be a problem for us at all. Usually, the dog goes in, smells or licks us if we bring our face or hand close, sits down, or positions itself at the door, facing away from us, as if protecting us. Even if its visits don't bother you, an exaggerated dependence can indicate a problem.

In that case, it'll need treatment. We'll usually also notice other symptoms. In the disorder known as separation anxiety, the dog can't tolerate losing sight of us even for a short time. As soon as we leave, it starts barking, whining, destroying anything within reach, defecating and urinating, and so on.

The dog is never behaving "badly" out of spite or whim. It's a display of its own suffering, which is why we need to address it. There are general guidelines for solving this anxiety, but in the most serious cases, we'll need the advice of a canine behavior expert, a trainer, or an ethologist.

Tricks So Your Dog Doesn't Follow You to the Bathroom

If our dog has perfectly balanced behavior and the only issue we have is its habit of following us to the bathroom, we can consider a series of measures to help it stop.

Also, we shouldn't punish it. For some dogs, that attention, even if negative, reinforces the behavior we're trying to eliminate. Follow these tips to get your bathroom privacy back:

• Simply close the door: this is an effective measure, yes, but some dogs will react by whining or scratching at the door. If we open it or scold them, we could reinforce this behavior.
• Distract it: before going into the bathroom, we can take it to its bed and give it its favorite toy, or one it can chew on for a while. If we come out of the bathroom and it's still in its spot, we'll reward it to reinforce the behavior we like.
• Teach it to wait: it's essential for a dog to know basic commands for good coexistence. So, if it understands "sit" and "stay," we can give it these commands right before going into the bathroom. The dog will stay by the door whether it's closed or open. If it doesn't come in, reward it.
• Make it happy: it's essential to meet the basic needs that ensure canine wellbeing. The dog needs to get the physical exercise it requires, and we need to provide enough mental stimulation. A balanced dog is less likely to develop behavioral problems.

Bibliography Morris, Desmond. 1988. Dog Watching. Barcelona: Plaza & Janés. Schlegl-Kofler, Katharina. Dog School: Training Your Dog Through Play. Madrid: Tikal Ediciones.