I have two terriers age 5years and 10months. When I'm at home they never leave my side but as soon as I go out they take themselves up to bed. Even when other people are home. I don't understand why they would rather be upstairs alone rather than in the lounge with the family when I'm not there.

I've started to feel really guilty about leaving them. I went out last night and phoned my son after two hours. he said they'd gone up to bed so I came home. They were straight back down on my knee when I returned.

Do they do this because they love me or is it because I do everything for them and they think they might get something nice when I'm about? If its the latter then I won't feel as bad. 

It can be quite breed specific and some people like independant dogs.
I have a friend who has Huskies another with Border collies and it always strikes me when I see them chosing to stay outside and not with their owner.
My Cavaliers and Boxers will follow me from room to room and only settle when I settle.
Dogs coming to the loo with you may really cheese some folk off but I'm used to it !
Your dogs like to see you and know that you are in your place ( home) then they can relax...yes they love you!

i agree about being breed specific,our two tibetan spaniel girls like to sleep on the sofa regardless of what youre doing as long as it doesnt involve food,but the 2 boys (1 dogue,1 king charles) will follow you into every room including the bathroom,they both like to watch you have a bath.although the oldest tib girl,now 7,used to have the habit of climbing into your trousers when on the loo! a bit of a surprise if any guests used the bathroom! interestingly her son who doesnt live here,also does this with his owners!

It sounds as if you have two relaxed and confident dogs - nothing to worry about.  They have happy to be with you when you are there (obviously careful not to miss out on any food, exercise or affection!) but secure enough to toddle off and make themselves comfortable in your absence.

When we got our rescue terrier type mongrel I thought his independence was as a result of early life experiences but I've come to understand it's more of a breed thing.  Now he lives alongside our gundog the differences in type are much more obvious!

There are always a few owners here telling us that their dogs suffer from anxiety when left home alone.  The dogs  steal things, chew valuables and destroy the house.   How refreshing to hear a different side.

...or is it you that suffers from separation anxiety??!! 

my flattie used to do this as sone as went out she would settle down by the front door regardless of who else was at home. If I was in she was never far from my side. She appeared fine I was told when I was out just not interested in doing anything else. My current gsd,  pomx are variable as to where they lie in relation to any of us. Fortunately none of them suffer from separation problems. sounds like yours may be similar as dogs ababe says much better than me

> ...or is it you that suffers from separation anxiety??!!

LOL

Lol I think my boyfriend would agree when I have to go home to my dogs after two hours!

Seriously I just feel guilty if I have been at work or shopping ( they're not left alone for more than a couple of hours) and then go out in an evening  a couple of times a week as I know if I'm not there they will lay under my bed waiting for me. 

Dont they just love their mummy . I think we get more anxious about leaving than the dogs are at being left.
Many years a very old breeder used to say to me .....stop worrying Jean They just sleep when your out
Jean

> Dogs coming to the loo with you may really cheese some folk off but I'm used to it !
>

So normal in this house that I thought it was a spectator sport! 

When I'm in the dogs have to take turns lying on my feet (not next to me, on me), and occasionally if I sit forward to work in the armchair Jack squeezes in to lean against my back, sitting up like a cow on a fence post . This breed is known for producing Velcro dogs and my new puppy is the exception to the rule.I end up going to see where he is when he takes himself off to have a quiet nap next door just to make sure he's ok. I take them with me whenever and wherever I can and all of this might tell you why my partner and I are now happy ex-partners

> So normal in this house that I thought it was a spectator sport! 

ROFL... yes normal in our house too, Vizsla's are after all known for being Velcro dogs, mind you the labs aren't half bad at it either lol .

Where i am in the house the dogs are. If i go to the loo they come as well.

After being in the other room evenings on the computer,i go and see my hubby watching tv, and he will say to me,where are your mates they cant be far behind you.....and they appear right on time.

my two old border collies used to sleep in my bedroom if ever i was out.my son used to say he never saw them.!

>

Mine just comes and opens the door to check what you are doing(many things you do in the bathroom?) and then walks off...
obviously not closing the door after herself.
Sometimes she tries to use the situation to her advantage and comes to stand in front of you and expects to be scratched!

Both of mine like to accompany me to the bathroom...I've only got a small bathroom so when they both decide to come in at the same time, it's a fairly tight squeeze!  We never lock the bathroom door because the constant whining and scratching outside the door is harder to deal with than the audience.

And one of mine sleeps on our bed more or less all day, regardless of whether we're at work or at home.  In fact, he gets quite miffed if one of us is ill or decides to have an afternoon nap as he prefers to have the whole bed to himself.  And it's a super kingsized bed but he's still not happy to share!