Why Does My Dog Stare At Me When He Poops?

Why Does My Dog Stare At Me When He Poops? Reasons

We dog owners are very concerned about our dog’s poop. Why? Because the nature of the dog’s defecation is one way to test if he’s healthy or not.

While we’re obsessing over our dog’s poop, have you ever noticed that your pet intensely stares at you, making eye contact while doing his business? Dogs are known to be funny creatures, sometimes doing weird things, but staring at you while emptying bowels is far-fetched.

Why does my dog stare at me when he poops? This is one of the frequently asked questions that many dog-related web pages get requested from. The short answer is that your pet is asking you to protect him. He feels at risk when he’s in the squatting position. So if the dog just locks his eyes with you instead of looking away while pooping, then he’s just asking you to safeguard him while he’s doing his business. 

If you have an overprotective dog at home, you must know how hard it is to even go to the washroom without him tagging along.

Your dog might be aware that you are defenseless in the restroom. So he is stepping up to be your bodyguard while you do whatever you do inside the bathroom.

So if you are wondering why my dog stares at me when he poops, read till the end to learn more details about why your pet does it.

Why Does My Dog Stare At Me When He Poops?

If you ever think that your pet doggo is looking directly at you, making eye contact because he’s embarrassed, my dear, you are so very wrong. This eye contact your pet makes while pooping has a much deeper sense. 

It doesn’t mean that your beloved “Rocko” is asking you to look away and give him some privacy. Instead, he’s asking you to look out for him, to guard him while he’s in his most vulnerable position. 

Dogs are alert all the time. That is because they know that if they are to survive, they must stay out of danger.

But just like many other animals, dogs, too, get defenseless when they are potting. So, the only way to stay safe when doing that is to look up to the pack leader, which is you. 

So don’t get startled if you see your Rocko in mid-squat, staring intensely at you, making eye contact while pooping. That is just his way of requesting your backup if needed. 

But other than that, this behavior might have many other reasons, such as;

  • Keeping an eye on you
  • Waiting for your approval to do his business in that particular area
  • Asking for a reward for pottying out of home
  • Protecting you, etc.

Although we can’t say for sure, which one of the above is the real reason, all of these answer your question, Why does my dog stare at me when he poops? 

Should I Look At My Dog When He Poops?

You and your Rocko are a pack. You are alpha, while your pet is like a follower. So, if he’s looking up to you for safety, reassuring him to the best of your ability is what you should do. 

You doggo may look at you with intense eye contact to check if you sense danger in the vicinity. If so, he will be able to follow your action and get out of trouble quickly.

We all know that our dogs are good body language readers. As they grow up with us, they become accustomed to understanding our moods and body language to read us perfectly. 

So, look at your dog when he’s staring at you to reassure him. Your one look will relieve him massively, on a level that none of us could imagine. He will know that you are always there to protect him no matter what. 

Suppose you are wondering why my dog stares at me when he poops and debates whether to look away and give your pet some privacy; don’t. That is not what your Rocko wants.

Instead, look at your beloved four-legged friend. Assure him that you are always here to save him if needed.

Moreover, it will also help him if he’s looking at you to keep an eye on you, ensuring you’re alright. 

Are Dogs Embarrassed When They Poop?

Contrary to popular belief, do dogs get embarrassed when they poop? No, they do not. 

Parallel to the intense stare, your pet might also look guilty, sad, or shy when they are answering nature’s calls.

But they do not comprehend the meaning of humiliation. That feeling is far more complex for a dog to understand.

Therefore, please do not misunderstand that your pet is looking at you ashamed and is asking you to look away till he’s finished. This stare simply means he’s trying to feel safe under your watchful gaze. 

Our pets are always happy when they feel safe and would go berserk when the situations change. And although they can understand simple feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, they do not understand the meaning of shyness.

So if you think your pet is shy to poop when you are watching him with a scrutinising eye, you are very wrong. 

Their gaze might confuse you. Why does my dog stare at me when he poops? This question might even haunt you day and night till you find the answer.

And now that you know they are looking at you to feel safe, you will find it helpful to know that looking back at Rocko as a reply gaze will help make him feel more at ease. 

If you have any other questions about why dogs stare at their owners while pooping, don’t hesitate to forward them to us and stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner. That’s it for now, readers; we’ll see you next time!

Author

  • Dominic Parker

    Dominic P. is a dog behavioral researcher who graduated from the University of Surrey and holds BVMsi (Hons) in Veterinary Medicine and Science. He has been around dogs since childhood and has unconditional love for dogs. It makes him become a researcher instead of practicing as a veterinarian. Dominic enjoys his work and likes to share his findings with dog parents to give them a better understanding of dogs’ behaviors.

    View all posts

Similar Posts