Why Do Dogs Follow You Into The Bathroom

For some, it is cute behavior while for other dog owners it is annoying. We are referring to when a dog follows you literally everywhere, even to the bathroom. Why do dogs follow you into the bathroom? There is no one, clear reason why dogs do this. Instead, there are a few possible reasons that we will explain today. Your dog may do this due to one or multiple ones.

13 Reasons Dogs Follow You Into The Bathroom

1. Due To Socialization

If you adopted a puppy and you taught him to follow you everywhere, he will probably continue doing this when he is an adult dog. Why do dogs follow you into the bathroom? He learned that this is positive behavior and he will continue doing it as long as possible.

This obviously affects dog owners who adopted a young puppy and they taught him to follow them all the time. In a nutshell, dogs want to socialize all the time hence this explains why he will follow you even when you go to the bathroom.

2. Dogs Want To Hang Out With Their Owners As Much As Possible

It is an obvious reason here and the one that is quite common. Dogs want to spend as much time as possible with their owners. A bathroom is an ideal place to spend some time together. It is quiet and it is well-isolated. You are already working, traveling, and going out without your pet. When you come home, he wants to be with you, period.  

3. He Is Looking For Some Treats

Some dogs believe that their owners have treats all around the house. Bathrooms are colder and not always accessible. That’s why they will believe you are hiding treats there. In reality, a dog can always find something to lick or eat. If your pet is following you to the bathroom due to this reason, you will probably want to keep him away. Avoid linking going to the bathroom with treats. This will have a negative effect as you should know already. 

4. Your Dog Doesn’t Like To Be Alone

Dogs like and live in packs hence they developed a behavior that makes them feel awkward when they are left alone. That’s why some dogs will go with their owners regardless of the location, time, or anything else. In the simplest form, dogs don’t want nor do they like to be alone.

Your pet is already alone while you are at work hence once you come home, he wants to maximize the time he will spend with you. This means going with you to the bathroom. 

5. It Is A Trait Of A Breed

Yes, some dog breeds have a tendency to follow you everywhere. This is the case with cattle dogs, border collie, or shepherd dogs. They are also known as Velcro dogs and you can deduce what this means. In general, they will follow you all the time and yes, they will never stop following you. Other dogs such as boxers will follow you as well nut in order to keep you safe. Last but not least, dogs such as Labradors will follow you less often but due to pleasure only. 

6. Some Dogs Like To Stare At The Owners

Yes, it is another, weird and not that known reason. Some dogs just love to stare at their owners, You may have seen this when you are sitting and your pet is looking at you for minutes or even longer. He probably knows that inside the bathroom you will sit still for a few minutes.

It is an excellent opportunity for him to sit and look at you. Most dogs just feel pleasure and they are happy when they look at the owners. You should allow them to do this occasionally. 

7. He Wants To Keep You Safe

Dogs are known for protecting their owners. For instance, German Shepherds will fight to the light breath when they must protect the owner. The bathroom and any other room in the house is a place where predators may live. A dog will simply follow you to make sure there are no predators there and that he can protect you if needed. This is not a very common reason but it is a very interesting one. Of course, some dog breeds are more likely to follow you due to this reason than others. 

8. You Are A Member Of The Pack So You Shouldn’t Go Alone Anywhere

This is an interesting and simple reason. Dogs lived in packs and wolves still do. As such, a dog who is adopted will start thinking of you as a pack member. That’s why he will follow you everywhere you go. This means that he will follow you in the bathroom as well.

9. He Wants To Connect To You Better

You already know that dogs will sniff the butts of other dogs all the time. This is done so they can connect better and they can learn more about the second dog. Well, you are a pack member as well hence he will want to do this as well. When you are going to the bathroom he has an excellent opportunity to do this. It may sound weird and unpleasant but it is the truth. 

10. He Is Curious

Your dog is just curious. You are visiting the bathroom a few times per day and you will stay there a few minutes. As such, something must be happening there. A dog will want to know what is happening and why you are visiting that place. He will go with you so he can see why. It might be something exciting or something fun for them. Some dogs will realize that there is nothing fun in the bathroom so they may stop following you there. 

11. They Do It To Show The Love

If a dog follows you to the bathroom with a toy in his mouth or he will pick the towel or anything else in the bathroom, it simply means he is showing you love. It is another, rare reason here but the one you will like the most and the one that looks epic. Dogs really love their owners and they will do all kinds of things to show them that. You definitely need to understand your dog more. 

12. The Concept Of Privacy Isn’t Known To Dogs

As you all know, dogs don’t have the concept of privacy. They will even stay together and sniff when one dog is pooping! This simply means that they don’t understand that going to the bathroom with you is not acceptable. They just want to be close to you and this is something they will want to do all the time.

13. Dog Seeks Attention

One common mistake is to give a treat or to hug a dog when he is small before you go to the bathroom. At that age, a dog will connect this moment and action with a positive situation. When he is an adult, he will still want a treat or attention before you go to the bathroom.

In other words, a dog will seek attention and he believes that every time when you are going to the bathroom, you will give that to him. In order to make sure this doesn’t happen, if it is annoying to you, don’t do this when your dog is a puppy. Remember, you are alpha and your dog must obey you at all times. 

The Final Word 

Why do dogs follow you into the bathroom? As you were able to see, there are a lot of reasons why dogs are doing this. Once again, your pet might be doing this due to one or multiple reasons. Try to discover them and act accordingly. Some are harmless and even appealing reasons while others are annoying and problematic.