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#DOGLIFE
Why Your Dog Stares at You While Pooping 💩
Picture this: you're on a casual walk with your dog. They sniff around, circle a few times, and then squat. It's poop time! You grab a bag (because you're a responsible person) and glance over to find your dog making direct eye contact with you the entire time. If you're a dog owner, you’ve likely experienced this intense stare-down. It's endearing yet ... weird. So, what's with the eye contact?
A 2009 study in Hormones and Behavior found that sustained eye contact between humans and their dogs produces a physiological response similar to the bond between mothers and infants. Essentially, your dog might think of you as their parent or is seeking something from you.
Madeline Friedman, a dog behavior expert, suggests that dogs might be hoping for a reward for doing their business outside. Many owners reward puppies for going outside, but this reinforcement often wanes once the dog is reliably house-trained. Your dog might remember this and hope for more rewards.
Alternatively, your dog could be seeking your approval. Nick Jones, a dog behaviorist, mentions that dogs might be checking to ensure they are pooping in the right spot, especially if they've been scolded before.
There's also an instinctual aspect. The pooping position is vulnerable for dogs, a leftover trait from their wild ancestors. Dogs might be making sure you have their back while they're in this defenseless state.
Dr. Sonja Olson adds that your dog might be trying to communicate, asking for permission or even privacy. The context can vary based on breed, your relationship, and other factors. Or, maybe, we're just watching our dogs too closely during their bathroom break.
So, next time your dog locks eyes with you while pooping, remember they might be looking for reassurance, approval, or just a bit of privacy. And perhaps, this is why dogs follow us to the bathroom too – a little payback!
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