Why Dogs Stare at You While Pooping, and Other Weird Potty Habits Explained

For most humans, few acts are more private than pooping. Our bathrooms are sacred shrines of secrecy, decked out with reading materials and scent-masking sprays that distract us all from their true purpose. But many dogs do not know such luxury. Instead, those who live without a backyard to call their own must instead pop a squat as we stand at the other end of their leash. They have to decide in the moment whether to acknowledge that we’re even there or pretend we’re not just a few feet away.

It’s a good thing our pups are not prone to embarrassment, because if they were, their daily defecations might start to feel like a cruel humiliation ritual. Still, pooping in full view of onlookers does seem to bring out a weird streak in some dogs. We’ve all probably met at least one hound who loves to lock eyes with their humans while dropping a deuce, and other pups seem to do the opposite, hiding their faces in bushes or behind whatever objects they can find. What gives? 

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As one might guess, a lot of our dogs’ pooping habits come down to security. As they perform this vulnerable act, they want to know that they are in the presence of protective company — that they’re safe from anything and anyone who might pose a threat. Who among us wouldn’t want that? 

If your dog is already pooping in front of you, chances are you don’t need to worry much about providing any special treatment. Still, if you’ve ever wondered where your dog’s specific quirks might come from, we’ve dug up some experts for advice.

Why does your dog stare at you while pooping?

Few things are more awkward than watching your dog squeeze out a turd while they maintain the most intense eye contact you’ve ever seen. But if it helps, consider this a sign that you’re part of their pack. If your dog is staring into your soul mid-hunch, that means they’ve entrusted you with a very important doody. …I mean, duty. According to Dr. Ashraf Ala, a veterinary consultant with Your Cool Pet Store, the unproven consensus among experts is that dogs establish eye contact to signal that they’re counting on us to watch their backs while they do their thing. 

“Guarding each other while using the bathroom is a pack trait that goes back throughout the history of dogs and can still be seen today in wolves,” Dr. Ala says. Maybe that’s why some of our dogs also like to wait outside the bathroom (or near the toilet!) while we’re doing the deed.

Clinical veterinarian Dr. Emma Choi agrees that the eye contact is a sign of trust. “A dog may stare at you while defecating, because he is looking to you for security,” she says. “He sees you as a source of protection, and stares at you to make sure he is being protected.” Yes, it’s kinda gross if you think about it for too long, but when you put it that way, it’s actually kinda sweet.

Why does your dog hide their face while pooping?

Just like dogs who like to hold staring contests while doing their business, dogs who hide their faces are probably expressing a deep level of vulnerability. In these cases, they might also be displaying a certain level of anxiety. “Dogs feel highly vulnerable while using the bathroom and may feel safer hiding their face, believing they cannot be seen,” Dr. Ala says. 

Dogs can’t exactly spring to their own defense while, erm, expressing themselves, so Dr. Choi similarly believes that pups who get shy during these times might be trying to reassure themselves. “A dog may hide his face when pooping because they are feeling vulnerable and feel safer when hiding,” she says. 

Do dogs get embarrassed while pooping?

I know you might think so based on the faces some dogs make during the act, but nope! 

No matter how humiliated your dog might look at any given moment — while pooping, getting caught destroying furniture, or otherwise — you can rest assured that our canine besties are fully incapable of shame. Sylvie Savage, author of the book Unleash: How to Evolve from Dog Training to Dog Parenting, says they just don’t have it in them.

“For dogs to experience embarrassment, they would have to be consciously aware that others see them in a way that is different from how they see themselves,” Savage recently told me. And honestly? Good on them for not having that ability. I’d wager a lot of us humans would love to harness that superpower.

Does your dog want privacy while pooping?

As with most things both human and canine, the answer to this question comes down to the individual. Just like some people are fine using the urinal while others will only go in a stall, certain dogs crave more privacy than others.

“Some dogs may want privacy when pooping in order to feel safe and hidden,” Dr. Choi says. “Other dogs prefer to be in the sight of others while pooping in order to be protected.”

More often than not, Dr. Ala says, your dog will probably either lock eyes with you or just let loose. But some dogs might try to hide behind some bushes or another form of shelter. “If your dog does the latter,” he says, “I recommend looking away 90 percent of the duration but still pay[ing] attention. It is best to treat each dog separately and pay attention to what makes them comfortable.” 

Should you… do anything while your dog poops?

Generally, it’s advisable to monitor your dog’s potty time to make sure that everything is going, well, smoothly. As Dr. Ala points out, this habit can help you gauge your dog’s health. “Look for signs of struggle to pass a bowel movement, as well as examine stools for abnormalities,” he says. “If you observe either of these it may indicate underlying health issues.”

If your dog tends to lock eyes with you while doing the deed, there’s a good chance they want you to return the favor. In these cases, Dr. Ala suggests making eye contact and adopting a defensive posture. “This shows your dog that you have their back and that you are looking out for them, providing reassurance,” he says. Dr. Choi agrees that this kind of mirroring can give your dog an enhanced feeling of safety. On the other hand, if your dog gets performance anxiety while pooping, it’s OK to look away.  

“When your dog is pooping, it is best to gauge their behavior and respond accordingly,” Dr. Choi says. “If a dog is hiding and wanting privacy, it is best not to stare at him during this time.”

In the latter cases, stay close by and maybe just sneak a peek at the stool afterward to confirm that it looks normal. (If you’re in a public place, you should be picking that up anyway, lest you become a neighborhood villain.)