Does Your Doodle Get Startled A Lot When Going Potty?

[Camilla and Darwin]

In the past week Darwin has picked up a strange habit. Every time we take him out to go poop, he can't concentrate very well because he is staring fixedly at everything around him. He gets really jumpy as well with little noises and people passing.

I wonder if this is normal... or if there could be something occurring. Could it be possible that it's as simple as cutting his hair? His bangs have grown really long over his eyes. Do you think that the limited vision might cause him to be uncomfortable?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think it has anything to do with his hair in his eyes, or his vision. When a dog is in the act of pooping, he feels very vulnerable. (Lots of kids have a need to feel "secure" for this, too!)
Jack once went ballistic when he was "in the act" and somebody came jogging along the sidewalk past him. I was told by a very experienced dog behavior person that dogs feel very vulnerable at that time. That makes sense to me.
I know Jack prefers to do this near a clump of bushes or even a high mound of snow...I think it makes him feel more sheltered. Maybe you could look for less "open" areas for Darwin to do his duty.

[shelly]

Hmmm.... Yes Tori does prefer to poop really close to trees, last week's snow mounds. I couldn't imagine why she would find the tightest spot to squish herself into. Makes sense... I used to say she had ADD when going poop because she was so easily distracted. Now I know! Thanks for the post Camilla

[Camilla and Darwin]

I guess it makes sense that it would be a vulnerability thing... it just seems odd because it is not just when he is trying to poop, it is a few minutes before and after. And he just started it this past week... we will try and find a more secluded spot and see if that helps.

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

Mine only startle during a poop if they pass gas. For some reason the sound of their own poot startles them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

ROFL!!! My poodle used to do that, and then sniff her own butt as if to say "Did that come from me?"

[shelly]

OOOOO! They're just like human males sometimes!!! LOL

[Bronwen Watts]

Tyson acts really surprised if he sits down and a fart comes out. He checks his butt and then looks all over the place trying to figure out where it came from!

[Bronwen Watts]

Tyson doesn't get startled, but he does get easily distracted. So if he sees or hears someone or something, he will stop in the middle of his "poop dance" until the distraction has passed. Once he is actually doing the deed though, he usually finishes before checking out whatever the thing is.

[shelly]

I like that... "Poop dance" I can definitely picture that!!! LOL

[Eva]

haha< Karin has it dead on. They like their privacy. We used to congratulate our dogs when they did a "public poop" since most of the times they go to the furthest end of the park edge to go, or hide etc.

[shelly]

When Tori swallowed a screw and we had to take her to the ER, we all were waiting for her to poop it out at the vet... she didn't - the vet commented "just like a lady. She likes to poop in the own house" . As soon as we came home - out she went and out it came! LOL (Funny NOW - horrible then)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We go camping a lot and our dogs have learned to poop when we take them on potty walks, BUT Ned really likes his privacy and has lots of trouble going until he finds a fence to back up to and adding a leash to this is a real problem. If he is interrupted by a noise or movement - he won't go or won't finish. When at a dog park, he might pee but rarely poops. At home he goes anywhere in the yard.