# What is it with dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 26, 2026, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990 "2026-02-26T07:47:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/1 "2026-02-26T07:47:46Z")
So I have a fairly new puppy, Jasper, a mini dachshund is now 4.5 months old. And he’s mostly a bloody brilliant puppy despite needing to learn a FEW manners about loving everyone/every dog he meets to death. But anyway…so Jasper will be fast asleep at my feet and I get up to go to the kitchen. He will happily stay in the loungeroom without budging. But the second I go to the bathroom, he’s _ticker-ticker-ticker right behind me!_ Now the kitchen is where all the treats are, where he gets fed and more often than not, a cheeky morsel from the fridge for being SUCH A GOOD BOY. What’s the damn attraction of the bathroom? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/2 "2026-02-26T08:56:22Z")
FOMO. Any room you go to which involves shutting a door, and they want to know what’s happening without them. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/3 "2026-02-26T12:25:43Z")
And, apart from FOMO, the many enticing smells. What kind of alchemy sorcery is going on in there? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/4 "2026-02-26T12:33:00Z")
My spousal unit has apparently taught Otis that he gets butt skritches from whomever is on the throne. Since it’s just the 2 of us here most of the time, we can’t be bothered by such silliness as shutting doors. Guess it’s our own fault. On the other hand, Otis will follow me to the kitchen and plant his big, hairy carcass so as to create the most effective trip hazard. I’ve learned to look down before moving from sink to stove or fridge. Guess he’s trained me… ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/5 "2026-02-26T12:35:35Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > What’s the damn attraction of the bathroom? Are there such things as “animal perverts”? LOL ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/6 "2026-02-26T13:42:20Z")
I would have thought it was the smells, but my dogs often turn their back sides to me, rather than sniffing. My take is that they consider you a captive target - not doing anything else that will prevent. you from petting them. But I agree, it is a weird behavior that all of my dogs have shared. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/7 "2026-02-26T14:37:43Z")
They are guarding you from threats outside the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/8 "2026-02-26T14:49:40Z")
The attraction is _you_, not necessarily the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![GenerationJones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@GenerationJones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GenerationJones)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/9 "2026-02-26T15:19:05Z")
I’ve always thought it’s because dogs who have no yard have to go on walks, so they never potty alone. Maybe they get the idea that you need a friend along and, being dogs, do their duty as they see it. Nowadays I have a country dog who is seldom required to potty on lead, but she’s the same way. For her it’s very much the captive audience. I’m sitting and both hands are empty, that’s a perfect time to pet the dog. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/10 "2026-02-26T15:25:46Z")
FWIW, kittens and human toddlers do this, too. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/11 "2026-02-26T16:44:48Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > They are guarding you from threats outside the bathroom. This is what I’ve heard. Dogs are social animals and they consider the humans they live with to be their pack. And one of the duties of being part of the pack is you defend other members of the pack. Your dog is protecting you from a bear attack while you’re sitting vulnerable on the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/12 "2026-02-26T17:19:51Z")
My current two cats both follow me to the bathroom (their immediate predecessor did as well, her predecessor did not), and it’s not unusual for someone to hop into the litterbox and make use of it while I’m doing similarly with the human version. They do not do this with my husband. The younger current cat, Kasya, also seems to think I need supervision in the bath/shower. The late Allie did that, too. Again, my husband does not seem to require feline attention in this situation. Tripping over cats in the kitchen is just standard life with cats. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/13 "2026-02-26T17:52:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Your dog is protecting you from a bear attack while you’re sitting vulnerable on the toilet. I adore quotes like this! 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/14 "2026-02-26T18:14:34Z")
Just remember to return the favor. Your dog doesn’t want privacy when it’s doing its business in the back yard. They want you to be standing nearby protecting them just like they did for you. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/15 "2026-02-26T18:15:54Z")
It’s not just for protection, but to make sure the beast is having a nice, healthy BM. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/16 "2026-02-26T18:22:27Z")
My dog doesn’t leave my side _at all_, doesn’t matter what room I’m headed to. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/17 "2026-02-26T20:42:06Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > So I have a fairly new puppy, Jasper, a mini dachshund is now 4.5 months old. And he’s mostly a bloody brilliant puppy despite needing to learn a FEW manners about loving everyone/every dog he meets to death. Your new fur baby sounds adorable! Congrats on your selection of breed. 😉 Jasper is much smarter than Oliver, who is now nearly 3 years old and has _only just_ learned how to ask to go out to potty – unlike my last little guy, who learned in about 2 minutes. Oh, well, you take what you get. 🙂 Funny Ollie story, though. The very first time I used the loo after he came home with me, he dutifully trotted in behind me. And promptly copied my behavior. I’m sitting there hollering, “No! NO!!” He just figured we were in the Potty Area, and he was going to strut his stuff. Fortunately, that only happened once. They do seem to like being around their pack members when important things are happening, and I suppose in a dog’s world, marking territory is a big event! ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/18 "2026-02-26T21:15:05Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I used the loo after he came home with me, he dutifully trotted in behind me. And promptly copied my behavior. “You’re going bathroom. I’m going bathroom. Obviously, this is just how our pack rolls, right? When’s our dinner?” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/19 "2026-02-26T21:20:55Z")
Exactly! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990/20 "2026-02-26T21:36:35Z")
Bayliss follows me every step. Sometimes I shut the door and say girls only. He sits out there whining til I open the door. Jasper just wants to be with you. It’s perfectly normal behavior for these little critters we keep so close to us. I love it. I could not live happily without a dog in my life. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-dogs/1027990.md?page=2)