Dogs look for specific spots to poop due to deep-seated instincts for scent marking and territorial communication, leaving chemical messages for other dogs, combined with preferences for comfortable surfaces, a sense of security, and even alignment with the Earth's magnetic field, all of which influence their choice for the ideal, safe, and informative location.
1. Scent Marking and Territory. One of the main reasons dogs pick specific poop spots is to mark their territory. Their feces carry unique chemical signals that communicate information about their identity, health, and status to other dogs.
So, why DO dogs take so long to decide on the perfect pooping spot? There are four main reasons: sniffing out other dogs' scents, anxiety, distractions,and, weirdly but truly, the magnetic poles.
The "3 poop rule," or "three-and-three rule," is a guideline for normal bowel habits, suggesting that pooping anywhere from three times a day to three times a week is considered healthy, with individual patterns varying widely. It helps identify issues: fewer than three times a week may signal constipation, while more than three times a day (especially with loose stools) might indicate diarrhea, prompting a doctor visit for persistent problems, notes Symprove UK.
Mushy stool with fluffy pieces that have a pudding-shaped consistency is an early stage of diarrhea. This form of stool has passed through the colon quickly due to stress or a dramatic change in diet or activity level. When mushy stool occurs, it's hard to control the urge or timing of the bowel movement.
To empty your bowels every morning, establish a routine: start with a warm drink (like lemon water), eat a high-fiber breakfast (whole grains, fruit), do some light activity, and use a squatting position on the toilet (like using a footstool) to make passing stool easier and trigger your body's natural reflexes.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
You can tell if a dog is sad by noticing changes in behavior, body language, and energy, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, hiding, lack of interest in play, a low or tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive licking/pacing, or increased inappropriate urination, all signaling potential depression or unhappiness that often requires a vet visit to rule out medical issues.
Dogs don't poop somewhere for attention. They might poop somewhere dogs don't generalize well with potty training (and other things), especially when they're still puppies.
Most of the time, dog owners don't need to wipe their dog's butt after they poop because dogs handle it themselves. But there are some situations where you might want to: ✅ Long-haired dogs can get poop stuck in their fur, so wiping helps avoid matting or odour.
All dogs poop, but some take longer to choose the perfect spot. Dogs sniff before they poop to learn about the area, leave messages for other dogs, and find a safe spot.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
If you're comfortable with it, there's really no harm in maintaining eye contact. It may even provide the reassurance your dog is seeking (if he's seeking any at all, that is). But if it feels too awkward, it's OK to look away.
Is sniffing good for dogs? Yes! Sniffing is hugely beneficial for dogs and essential for their wellbeing. It's stimulating too - experts tell us just 20 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to an hour's walk in terms of enrichment for your dog.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
I like to do a mix of " parlour tricks " and tricks that have value in real world applications.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Dogs can gain a plethora of information about local inhabitants and the surrounding environment from just one good sniff of another dog's urine or feces. In this sense, spending some time sniffing around before going to the bathroom is like checking social media and reading the local news all wrapped up into one.
They may be watching you closely to see if your body language changes, which could indicate danger. While it may seem uncomfortable to have your pup stare up at you while they're pooping, studies have shown that when a dog and their owner have prolonged eye contact, the oxytocin levels of the owner increase.
Sitting a certain way for seven seconds is not proven to help constipation. However, changing your body posture while on the toilet can make things easier. Place your feet on a stool to place your knees higher than your hips.
Laxatives: You can drink a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution or use an over-the counter (OTC) laxative to cleanse your colon. Surgery: If you have severe fecal impaction, your healthcare provider will perform surgery, especially to target symptoms of bleeding due to a tear in your bowel (bowel perforation).
Try eating oatmeal in the morning for soluble fiber that helps soften your stool and promote regular bowel movements. Incorporating chia seeds, apples, and prunes into your diet can support regular digestion.