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A dog owner went viral after claiming that dogs wait outside the door when their owners shower to protect them during a vulnerable time, so we asked veterinarians if it was true. In a TikTok clip shared in July, @amberthelabmom shares footage of her Labrador retriever waiting for her outside the shower, claiming that dogs do this because they consider their owners part of their pack. But is this the actual reason behind this behavior? And why do some dogs not engage in this sort of behavior? Crystal Litzenberger, veterinary technician and consultant at Lolahemp for Pets, told Newsweek that this is partially true in the sense that dogs would guard their owner for protective reasons if they were in a situation that warranted protection. “For example, if you were living out in the wilderness with your dog and you went to your designated bathroom area, your dog would likely stand watch for you protectively. Dogs are smart enough to know when this is something that’s required of them,” she said. A stock image shows a golden retriever with dirty paws in the shower, waiting for his paws to be washed. However, according to Dr. Vanessa Spano, a veterinary behaviorist at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, this is likely due to attachment issues. “We have disproven the myth that dogs have a hierarchy with their owners, implying that there is no pack,” she told Newsweek. “Additionally, we must realize that the dogs in our homes are not wolves – most would not survive in wild conditions. They are centuries domesticated. And finally, dogs know that we are not dogs.” Spano added that this likely has to do with attachment. “Some dogs, just like some people, are more independent than others. And attachment, or hyper-attachment, has to do with the individual dog’s unique combination of genetics and upbringing.” Other possible reasons for this behavior, according to Dr. Julie Hunt, vet at Embrace Pet Insurance, include curiosity, “attractive smells” and social bonding. “If you love your dog but also want privacy in the bathroom, you may want to work on independence training,” she told Newsweek. “Ensure that your dog has a cozy bed, mat, or crate, and teach them to go to their place on command. You can also establish a daily routine that includes downtime, in which you are home but your dog is apart from you and independently engaging with a toy or treat.” @amberthelabmom Who’s cutting onions 🥹 #dogtok #labradorretriever ♬ original sound – Karens👹 – CarLine🙋 The video quickly went viral on social media, and it has so far received over 370,100 views and 28,700 likes on the platform. One user, Tiny0586, commented: “I can’t go nowhere in my house without my dogs following me.” MeliA522 said: “Yes! They also tend to sleep facing the door away from you as to keep watch throughout the night. My husband and I go to bed at different times. Our dog will stand over me when he enters the room and then lay back down when she realizes it’s him.” Sydneykramerxo added: “What about the licking of the legs & feet immediately after?!” Newsweek reached out to @amberthelabmom for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
