As you can see in today’s list, quite a few dogs like to do the deed while being in a nice place. This list was collected from the Instagram account @dogspoopinginprettyplaces. As the name suggests, this page posts various pictures of dogs defecating in places that we as humans understand as pretty. 

Currently, the page has 181 posts, which gathered over 90K followers, which, let’s admit, is impressive for such niche content. Apparently, people like looking at dogs pooping in nice settings.

They like it so much that there are even calendars sold with pictures of it for each month. Well, keep this in mind for the next time you need a gag gift.

Yet, emptying their bowels at pretty places isn’t the only odd way dogs choose to do that. If you’re a dog owner, chances are that at one time or another, you've noticed your dog staring directly into your eyes while pooping. 

In an article on PetMD, a veterinarian explains that there is no certain reason why dogs do that. But there are theories. 

The first theory is that dogs feel vulnerable. Going to the toilet puts them in a defenseless position. If they were in the wild, they would be easily susceptible to predators. So, it’s their instinct to expect to be guarded by their owner, and the act of looking them in the eyes is looking for reassurance that it will be done. 

The second theory states that this way, dogs are looking for praise or reward for doing “a good job.” This comes from their potty training days. One of the most common (if not the most common) ways to do that is to reward a puppy with a treat or praise after they do “a good job.” It gets wired into their brain and lasts there even years after the training is done. 

There are a few theories that also explain that by looking into their owner’s eyes while doing the deed, dogs show that they seek to have a sincere moment with someone they have a bond with, even if that sounds a little bit funny. After all, looking into their owner's eyes is a dog's way of showing their appreciation and even love for their owner (among some other reasons). 

The last theory explains that the stare might not mean anything and might be just accidental. The same article on PetMD writes that sometimes people can be in the line of a pooping dog’s sight and catch their eyes.

Plus, as scientists explain, dogs don’t really feel shame, so it’s not likely that they would look away. Basically, people like to project human behavior onto dogs and get confused when they go rogue from what’s expected. 

It is likely that other specialists or simply other people have other explanations for why dogs look their owners in the eyes while doing a poo. As we said in the beginning, the reason is not clear, so it opens the gates for theorizing. And who knows, maybe one of these theories is right. 

Do you have your own theory on why dogs look their owners in the eyes while emptying their bowels? Share them with us!