One of the more awkward situations you might find yourself with your dog would when he stares or guards you while you’re pooping. There are a few different reasons why this behavior is exhibited by dogs. The good news is that there’s nothing harmful or sinister behind this curious doggy behavior. Show
1. Your Dog is Keeping Watch for Your SafetyYour dog simply could be keeping watch for your safety if he is staring at you while you poop. Dogs feel very vulnerable when they are pooping, so in their minds, they think you are in a vulnerable position too. Albeit, you are sitting there with your pants down, and this is a vulnerable position for many people. Your dog is simply watching out for your safety just as when he is taking a poop and is eyeing you for backup to keep him safe during this time. Dogs stare or guard you while you poop for the same reasons why when they are pooping. Your dog also has that pack animal instinct, which means he will be there for you if you need help or if something is endangering you. He’s telling you he’s your security blanket and you’re safe. 2. It Could be a Bonding SessionThey want to be with you at all times because that’s part of the pack animal mentality. This means that they have an instinct to do anything and everything with those they consider their family. Staring at you while you are pooping is basically a bonding experience between you and your dog. When there is eye contact between a pet and the human owner, oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for love and attachment and dogs also experience this hormone just like people. The eye contact will release more oxytocin into the system, which helps create and deepen bonds between people or between animals and people. 3.Your Dog Might Just be CuriousIt all could just be curiosity because your dog is fascinated by anything you do and anywhere you go. Curiosity simply means your dog is nosy and wants to know where you are going and what you are doing. He doesn’t care if the reason you left the room is personal or not, he wants to know what’s going on at all times because you are the pack leader. How to Stop Your Dog From Following You to the BathroomYou simply want to condition him out of the behavior if possible, which can be done using commands or crate training. Try to teach your dog to “stay” when you are going into the bathroom or possibly get him to go outside so he can go to the bathroom too. If you have a treat-motivated dog, using treats for bathroom time might also work. Another trick to try is to get specific toys that you will give to your dog while you are in the bathroom and only then. Desensitizing your dog to you getting up or leaving the room is also a great way to stop your dog from following you into the bathroom. If you think the issue is related to separation anxiety, you may need to consult a behaviorist or veterinarian to figure out the best way to move forward. Counter-conditioning is one method you can try, but consult the behaviorist or veterinarian first due to it being a very sensitive process. If those methods don’t work, you might need to get some medication for your dog if severe separation anxiety is the real issue. Disclaimer: The content on MyPetChild.com is for informational purpose only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian when in doubt.  You may have heard the myth that when a dog sits or lies on top of your feet that he is trying to dominate you. But nothing could be further from the truth. Many dogs form a strong bond with their owners. Wherever the owner goes, the dog follows. Whenever the owner sits down, their dog lies down or sits on or by their feet. This is an indication of the strong relationship you have with your dog. But there can also be other reasons why your dog sits on your feet, and they happen under certain circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about why your dog likes to sit on your feet. Reasons Your Dog Likes to Sit On Your FeetHere’s a breakdown of the most common reasons for this dog behavior. Showing Their LoveIt’s a normal behavior for a dog to settle down at their owner’s feet. This may be a way of showing affection, just as you would choose to sit next to a friend or loved one. Some dogs are content to stay on the floor instead of sitting next to you on the couch, so they end up right by your feet or on top of them. Your dog may prefer the texture and feel of carpet, tile, or wood, or maybe sitting next to a person makes them too warm. Some dogs may want to be at their owner’s feet so they can be prepared to stand and follow them at the slightest movement. Other dogs may specifically choose to sit or lie down on their owner’s feet. It may be that these dogs find the physical contact comforting—just simply touching their owner may be relaxing for a dog. AnxietyIn certain situations, your dog may choose to sit or lie down on your feet because they are fearful or anxious. If your dog normally does not sit on your feet and suddenly exhibits this behavior, take a minute to assess their body signals: When some dogs get anxious for fearful, they will try to get as close to their owner as possible. This may occur during a veterinary visit or when they go to an unfamiliar place. Some dogs may exhibit this behavior at home when they hear certain noises, such as fireworks, thunder, or construction noises. Or they might exhibit this behavior around people, children, or dogs that make them uncomfortable. When your dog is scared or uncertain, simply maintaining contact with you may help them feel more confident. It may be similar to a child wanting to hold their parent’s hand when they are scared. A portion of the dog population suffers from separation anxiety, and these dogs may also sit or lie down on their owners’ feet. Not all dogs with separation anxiety exhibit this behavior. The dogs that do, most likely find comfort in being close to their owners. Sitting on your feet may be a way of keeping you next to you. Learned BehaviorDogs can certainly learn that if they sit on or lie at your feet, they are more likely to get your attention. It’s a normal reaction to look at or talk to your dog when they choose to sit on top of your feet. Or your dog may have learned that you give them physical attention in the form of pets or ear rubs as they sit at your feet. This positive reinforcement makes it more likely that your dog will continue to sit by your feet. What If My Dog Doesn’t Sit on My Feet?Every dog is an individual and expresses attachment and affection towards their owners in different ways. Maybe your dog is not the huggy, touchy, feely kind of dog, but he enjoys sitting or lying next to you. Your dog may simply enjoy your company without the need for so much physical contact, and that is okay. Instead, your dog may show you affection in other ways, such as coming to greet you when you come home or bringing you his favorite toy, or following you from room to room. Think of it as your dog having certain love languages. You may be thankful that your large dog does not want to sit on your feet. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Whether your dog is a sit-at-your-feet type or a follow-you-around type, enjoy your pup’s unique personality. By: Wailani Sung, DVM, DACVB Featured Image: iStock.com/Capuski Whether you have stopped your walk to take a quick break on a park bench or you're lounging around watching television on your favorite couch, your dog is probably right there with you. Most dogs choose to sit on their owner's feet. If you don't get up to move, they'll eventually transition to laying and sleeping on your feet.
While this behavior isn't particularly bad, it can be a bit annoying for some owners. This is especially true if you have given your dog a nice expensive bed and they choose to lay on the floor by your feet instead. Whether you love it or you hate it, it's good to understand why your canine companion does it. 5 Reasons Your Dog Likes to Sit On Your FeetDogs are pack creatures. Even if your spoiled pup has never spent a moment out in the wild, they still have those behaviors ingrained in them. Many times, the act of sitting on your feet is simply remnants of their ancestral DNA. In the wild, dogs travel in packs. They do this to keep themselves protected and to work together to survive. When they're sleeping or resting, they huddle together. The leader of the pack gets the most comfortable spot while the other dogs lay close to stay warm. In your home, you are the pack leader. Young dogs also learn a bit about pack mentality at a very young age. Newborn canines learn to sleep near the tail of their mothers. This is to avoid being crushed should the mother roll over in her sleep. If you have a young puppy, they may still exhibit this behavior because it's all they know. As the pack leader for your household, you wear many hats in the eyes of your dog. One of the biggest roles you'll play is the protector. If your pup is feeling a bit insecure about something, they'll go to you for protection. This happens a lot with more submissive dogs. However, even the largest and most intimidating breed will go to their owner if they feel unsafe. Dogs can start to get anxious because of new people, loud sounds, and anything else they're not used to. They'll sit or lay at your feet to get some comfort. Sometimes, all it takes is your touch to make your dog feel safe. If your dog falls asleep on your feet, pay attention to how their sleeping. If they're sleeping on their side, with your feet tucked warmly underneath, they feel completely protected. This position exposes their belly, which is a big risk in the wild. By laying on their side, they're showing you that they trust you to keep them safe. Related: Why Dogs often Put Their Paws on You On the other side of things, your dog may sit on your feet to keep you protected from a perceived threat. They want to prevent you from experiencing any harm, so they'll put themselves between you and the threat. Most of the time, there's no real danger present. However, that won't stop your dog from providing you with the protection they think you need. #4. Territorial ClaimsHas your dog ever sat at your feet or otherwise close to you in a dog park? This is likely their way of marking their territory. Essentially, the behavior is telling other dogs that you're their leader and that everyone else should back off. While you may view your furry friend as your own, your dog feels the same way about you. Your dog may be sitting, laying, or sleeping at your feet is simply because they love you. They want to feel your touch, hear you breathing, and smell you. If you have been gone all day, your dog may be showing this behavior because they've missed you and don't want you to ever leave again. Some dogs also show signs of affection to comfort you. Dogs are smart creatures that are able to pick up on your emotions pretty easily. If you're crying, sick, or showing signs of stress, your dog will be right there to calm you down. This behavior is perfectly normal. In fact, if your dog is sitting at your feet simply to show you that they love you, it means that you're doing a great job as an owner. Your dog is thankful for the things you do for them, loves to be around you, and doesn't want you to leave their side. Generally, sitting on your feet is no cause for concern. Most owners love it. It's a great time to bond with your dog and show some loving affection back. However, if you don't want your dog to be underfoot every moment of the day, there are some things you can do. Chances are, you've established a bit of positive reinforcement already. If you have ever pet your dog or given them scratches when they sit by your feet, you have already shown them that it's alright for them to do this. If you want them to stop, you'll need to stop showing affection back. Never yell or kick your dog if they sit at your feet. The best way to stop this behavior is to encourage them to use their bed. Create an inviting environment and shower them with praise each time they use the bed. Of course, plenty of reward treats are always appreciated. Related: 13 Dog Tail Positions Explained Now that you understand why your dog lays on your feet, let's delve a bit deeper into your dog's sleeping positions. The way your dog sleeps can tell you a lot about how they're feeling and their overall personality. Dogs can't communicate freely as we can, so we need to be able to read body language to get a better understanding of how they're doing. Here are some common sleeping positions. This is a position you'll see often throughout your pup's life. Their arms are tucked under their body and the tail is curled all the way up to their face. Essentially, they are bundled up tight. This position may indicate that they're cold or that they're a bit uneasy about something. The position keeps their body protected. Side SleepingAs mentioned earlier, this is the position you want to see. Your dog will lay on their side, exposing their belly. This shows that your dog is trusting and carefree. They can sleep without having to worry about a thing. Also affectionately called "Crazy Legs," this position can be a bit amusing to watch. Your dog will lay on their back with their legs pointed up. This is a submissive position because they're leaving their entire body exposed. If your dog does this, it means that they're feeling generally calm, comfortable, and safe. Passed OutWhile this position looks very similar to the previous one, the biggest difference is their front paws. In this position, the paws are flat on the chest. Typically, this means that your dog is very tired and doesn't want to be bothered. It could also indicate that they're feeling a bit warm. The position allows them to cool off easily. Spread OutIn this position, your dog's head and belly are flat on the floor. Their four legs are then spread out, making it look like they're flying. Young puppies and energetic dogs do this because it's very easy to wake up and start playing again. Belly CurlIn the belly curl position, your dog's let is tucked under their body. However, they're not curled up into a ball. Dogs typically don't get a lot of sleep in this position because the muscles can't relax properly. When your dog lays, sits, or sleeps on your feet, they're doing so because they care about you. Regardless of the exact reason, they go to you because they love you and want your protection. If the behavior doesn't cause any issues for you, take the opportunity to give your dog plenty of love and affection. Also Read: How Long Do Puppies Sleep a Day?
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Why does my dog lay at my feet when I poop
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