Why does my dog sleep in the bathroom?

If your dog won’t let you touch its tail, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you five common reasons why dogs do it and what you can do to get it to stop.

So, why does my dog sleep in the bathroom? Possible reasons why your dog sleeps in the bathroom are being cooler or quieter in there, it’s following you, or having learned that the behavior is rewarded.

It is possible that there is a combination of causes at play. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main causes and there are many things you can do about them.

Why your dog sleeps in the bathroom

Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely. 

It’s cool

The reason why it chooses to sleep in the bathroom might be that it is cooler in there. This would be more likely if it goes in there when it is hot inside and if it has started doing it more since the weather has become hotter. 

It’s not too loud

Another possible reason is that it is not as loud in the bathroom. This would be more likely if it does it more when the other rooms are noisy and if the bathroom is not so loud. 

It does not like to sleep in other rooms

It could be the case that there are issues with alternative rooms that are causing it to choose to go to the bathroom. For example, the other rooms might have another pet in them that it does not like, there might not be space for it to lie down, they might be too bright at night or too noisy.

Following you

Another possible reason is that it goes in there because you’re in there. This would be more likely if it only chooses to go into the bathroom when you are in there and if it follows you around at other times as well. This could also be a sign that it has some separation anxiety which would be more likely if it shows signs of being anxious when you are leaving it.

Encouraging the behavior

The cause might also be that it has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. If you tend to give it things such as toys, treats or extra attention, when it goes in the bathroom, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards. 

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog has been doing it. 

If it has always slept in the bathroom

If your dog did not always sleep in the bathroom, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to a change in other rooms or because it learned that the behavior gets rewarded. 

What is different when your dog does not sleep in the bathroom

If it does not always sleep in the bathroom, it would also help to consider what is different when it does not sleep in there. For example, if it does not do it when it is cool and quiet in other rooms, it might go into the bathroom when it is too hot or loud in the house. 

The body language it shows

It would also help to consider the body language it shows. If it shows relaxed body language, when it is in the bathroom, it could just be the case that it wants to sleep without being bothered. Whereas, if it shows signs of being anxious, it might be the case that it has been going in there due to something causing it to be anxious.

What to do about your dog sleeping in the bathroom

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior. 

Give it alternative places to sleep

One option would be to give it alternative places to sleep. You could do this by putting a bed in a room that is cool and quiet or in the room that you normally stay in.

Avoid encouraging the behavior

As mentioned above, it might be the case that it has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. Instead, it would help to reward it when it behaves the way you want it to and to avoid rewarding it when it does not.

Limit reasons why it might be anxious

As mentioned above, it might also be the case that it has been doing it due to something causing it to be anxious. It would help to limit possible reasons why it might be anxious by making sure it’s not around other pets that bully it and making sure to feed it, let it pee and give it exercise before leaving it for a long time. If it has been being very anxious, it would also help to get help from a vet.

Limit its access to the bathroom

In addition to the above, one option would be to limit its access to the bathroom by shutting the door when you are not using it.