Have you ever observed that when your dog is pooping, he keeps his eyes on you? If you enjoy science, you may have often pondered why your pets look at you while getting rid of their waste.
Okay, so maybe you have never given it a thought, but since we are talking about it, veterinarians and dog scientists have discovered why dogs stare at their owners while defecating.
It is not because the dog is ashamed, claims Dr. Kathryn Primm, a small animal veterinarian who runs Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Your dog is not asking for privacy or to be ignored when he “does his business” either.
It goes much deeper than that, according to Dr. Primm.
Here is what Dr. Primm has to say regarding why dogs look at you when they poop:
Dogs are animals and they are very tuned in to their environment and their own place in it. For survival, they must be aware of the risk.
Defecation is one of the times in an animal’s life when he is at his most vulnerable. He must posture to perform the task and because of this, he is not in a position to readily fight or flee. In fact, it would be rather difficult for him to defend himself or to escape danger while he is eliminated. Your dog is instinctively aware of his defenselessness.
But your dog also knows that she is a part of your “pack”. You are a member of the family group. If your dog watches you during this time, it is because she is depending on you to give her a body language signal or “heads up” if she should be afraid. She may also be looking to you to possibly defend her should the need arise. If you suddenly leap away, you can bet your dog will respond also.
Likewise, some dogs will not defecate with anyone watching (or on a leash). Perhaps he feels safer if he is away from your home turf where he will not draw attention. Instincts dictate your dog’s reaction to his own helplessness during this awkward time.
Whether your dog looks to you or slips away for “poop time”, it helps to know that she is just doing what comes naturally to her. You should honor her wishes as long as it is safe to do so. Try not to do anything that will startle her if she is looking at you while she defecates. Respect her natural inclination to be away and modify your environment to accommodate her as much as possible.
