We love spending time with our pooches, but let's be honest, some of our furry friends need to learn a few things about personal space! Some take up all the room on the sofa, others see you as their doggy bed, and a few will even follow their humans to the toilet, sitting by the door until you're ready to come back out again.
Why does my dog follow me to the toilet?
There isn't any one reason in particular that explains why your dog follows you to the toilet. Past learning and associations may play a part, and as creatures that enjoy routine, it may be that following you has become a habit for your pet.
Here are some of the reasons for this behaviour:
Company
Dogs are social animals. They're hard-wired to operate in groups and have evolved over many years to cooperate with human partners.
If your dog is a passionate cuddle bug, they may just want to spend as much time with you as possible, even if that does mean a trip to the bathroom!
Reinforcement
Behaviours are often inadvertently reinforced by us humans, sometimes without even realising we're doing it.
Whether you've offered them affection or asked them to move away, following you to the bathroom may have resulted in your dog getting attention. This then makes your dog more likely to perform the behaviour again in the future.
The good news is, that there's no need to scold your dog if you don't want them in the bathroom with you. Simply try reinforcing another behaviour instead. This could be some time on their favourite bed or a "down" outside the door.
Boredom
If you find your dog seems restless and keen to play, they may be in need of additional mental stimulation throughout the day. There are lots of wonderful puzzles and enrichment ideas you can try.
Curiosity
Curious canines may follow you to the bathroom because they want to look inside. Bathrooms are sometimes more exciting spaces to our four-legged friends than more familiar areas of the house, because they are often off limits throughout the day.
Anxiety
If your dog becomes stressed when left and insists they follow you to the bathroom, they may be experiencing anxiety.
Does my dog follow me to the toilet because of anxiety?
Dogs love their favourite humans. In fact, they can even love us too much! OK, so that's not really true- but they can become overdependent on us, leading to issues like separation anxiety. This is when a dog starts to feel distressed and anxious whenever their humans go away. Dogs may feel most comfortable when with their social group, but they still need to form their own distinctive personalities and have a certain amount of independence if they're going to be truly happy.
Separation anxiety can be a perfectly natural response, especially if these sociable animals are left alone for long periods. Equally, if they haven't been properly socialised or suffered some serious trauma, dogs may develop extreme (and unhealthy) types of separation anxiety. This is when they can't stand to be away from you for even a few minutes and will follow you everywhere, including to the toilet. You can spot signs of separation anxiety by observing your dog's body language.
For example, if they sit patiently outside the toilet door like a good boy or girl, then they might just really, really love you, and enjoy waiting for you to return. However, if you can hear them pacing, panting, or whining, then they're probably suffering from separation related distress. Other signs to look out for include excessive yawning, avoiding eye contact, and folded back ears.
Thankfully, separation anxiety is treatable. It just takes time, patience, and the right approach. For milder cases, you may be able to start the process using treats or toys to keep your dog occupied while you go to the bathroom. Scattering high value food rewards or offering other forms on enrichment can be a great way to keep them occupied, while you go and come back from the bathroom.
To help them feel comfortable alone, you can start with very gradual steps, simply moving away slightly and then returning, gradually increasing the distance amount of time day by day.
For more extreme cases, you might need to work alongside a professional. For more information, you can visit the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. The APBC is a network of experienced and qualified pet behaviour specialists who work on referrals from veterinary surgeons to treat behaviour problems in all kinds of domesticated animals, including dogs.
Remember, not all instances of this rather strange behaviour is a sign that something is wrong with your dog. In most cases, it's completely normal. It's your pets ways of displaying their natural group behaviour, including their instinctual desire to keep their beloved friend safe. However, if you do notice other negative expressions, then it's time for some separation anxiety training. Patience is key and always aim for slow, incremental improvements. And if you ever need some extra help, speak to a local vet.
