cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/68073118

I really wanna know how dogs decide where to piss or shit. Like there seems to be some kind of contemplation / decision making process and I'm just fascinated by the concept of nonhuman sensory perception.

I would like a way to collect survey results that would allow the residents of my apartment building to select where in the surrounding blocks their dog chose to relieve themselves that day.

Is there any established software or service that has this feature?

It's a studied phenomenon called "denning instinct". Basically, they're sniffing around to find a place where, ideally, they've gone before, other dogs haven't gone before, and not near where they live or play.

Texture preference is also a factor; most dogs prefer grass, some prefer gravel, it's mostly determined by training and upbringing. A shelter dog that was trained to go on gravel will probably continue to prefer it, but it can also change over time.

I want. The data.