We get plenty of questions from readers and this has to be one of the weirder ones on the list; still, we’ve never been afraid of a little weird.
So why does your dog stare at you when he poops? The short answer: he probably wants to make sure you’re keeping watch out for predators.
However, it goes a bit further than that, so read on for the full details.
In this article, we’re exploring why some owners report that their dogs stare at them while they poop, why others do the opposite, and why some dogs insist on following their owners into the bathroom.
Well, here it goes…
A Dog’s Poop Ritual: The Pooping Process Perfected
Most people’s dogs have a poop ritual.
First, they walk around to find a suitable spot (which can be a bit frustrating for owners who are looking to have their dog pee and poop more quickly). Next, they might sniff around the spot for a little while before squatting and doing the deed. Depending on your pooch’s preferences, this might be when the stare down starts to occur.
Some dogs will turn around at this point, almost like they’re chasing their tails: According to The Little Things, this turn is just them surveying their environment and getting a good look at what’s around them.
Once done, most dogs will step a little bit away from it and kick backwards with their hind legs. No, they aren’t preparing to take off; what they’re doing is covering up their waste (as many owners note, not very effectively).
This is a left-over defense mechanism from the wild, where you have to cover up to protect yourself against predators (which are generally scary and, y’know, lions and tigers and bears).
Why Does My Dog Stare at Me When Pooping?
It turns out that there might just be several reasons your dog makes eye-contact with you during their ablutions. (And here we thought this was going to be an easy question…).
Safety
Let’s not forget that your dog sees you as much more than just a dog owner. You’re part of theirs, and you’re not just part of the pack, you’re leading it.
Yes, your dog sees you as some kind of superhero, and the eye contact shared between you is their way of making sure you’re watching their territory while they’re doing their business – a task which would, in the wild, make them exceptionally vulnerable to predators. (How would you feel if you were reading on the toilet and your safety was suddenly threatened? Not great, yeah?)
Bonding
Yes, this is also because your dog sees you as some kind of modern-day superhero, and it’s as much of a bonding experience for them as anything else.
One study explores the levels of the chemical oxytocin (what’s known – even in humans – as one of the hormones connecting to love and attachment) found in pets and their humans. Eye contact between pet and owner increased the levels of oxytocin, and thus the level of bonding shared between the two.
While your pet is doing their business and looking at you, they are basically giving you the most awkward hug you will ever share.
It might also happen that your dog does the exact opposite and does their business where nobody – especially not you – can see them.
According to “Why do dogs sneak away to pee and poop?” by Jolanta Benal, this might be traced to a behavior when they were house-trained, and your dog might not want to do their thing in front of you just in case they happen to have an accident they get chastised for.
Other Odd Poop Behaviors
Our research unearthed several odd poop behaviors which readers might have spotted before. Most of them are just too interesting, important, or otherwise weird to leave out.
Have you spotted any of these behaviors when taking your dog for a walk around the block? Here are some of them and their explanations…
My dog stares at me when I poop.
Well, this is almost the same situation we’ve discussed above, but somehow a little more unsettling when your dog sneaks up on you making a movement at 3am.
The answer to this question is also pretty much the same as above: Your dog is naturally curious about where his owner is off to (and is just as likely to follow you into any other room you go into), and he’s convinced that you’re going to need back-up if you’re going to be caught with, well, your pants down.
Why does my dog eat his own poop?
Okay, here’s a particularly embarrassing – and gross – problem that many dog owners have to deal with.
There are several reasons dogs engage in this behavior – officially called coprophagia; some suggestions point to diet deficiencies or nervous behavior as a cause, though in any case it points to some kind of issue which needs to be addressed. It could also be something as simple as boredom making them do it.
Read more about why dogs may be chowing down on their own poop here!
Why does my dog drag his butt around the ground?
Many dog owners spot their dogs dragging their butts along the ground. The most common cause of this odd behavior involves issues with the anal sac; problems happen where the sac – or glands – do not drain on their own, which is – to put it simply – a pain in the butt.
Owners can actually help drain their dog’s anal sacs manually, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Vets can also perform this service, so if you’re on the queasy side, take up the issue with them.
This behavior can also point to your dog potentially having worms, and it’s recommended that you regularly de-worm your dogs whether or not they engage in this.
Other ways to know if your dog has worms include symptoms like sudden weight loss, stomach upsets which you can’t trace to any other cause (and often repeatedly), a duller coat, a loss in your dog’s overall energy levels, any kind of change in their appetite and vomiting (and, of course, seeing worms in your dog’s poop).
Does your dog stare at you while pooping? How does it make you feel? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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