In an era where many pet owners are willing to go to great lengths for their animals, internet users have been left impressed by a dog sitter who did exactly that.
A popular Reddit post shared by user u/d4wnn, 37, from Dallas, Texas, shows a long‑haired black Chihuahua perched on a patch of dirt that has been carefully placed over a white carpet—protected underneath by a clear sheet.
The reason? According to the caption, the tiny dog was refusing to poop in the snow, a dilemma that earned the January 25 post over 7,100 upvotes.
Commenters were impressed by the dog sitter’s creativity and commitment.
Friend watching my dog says she won’t #2 in the snow lol
by u/d4wnn in WhatsWrongWithYourDog
“As ridiculous as this is, I applaud your friend’s commitment of taking care of her,” wrote one user, receiving over 4,600 upvotes.
Another added: “For real, friend deserves some major major thanks in some tangible measure for this effort…I’d go far out of my way to do something or reward a friend who did something like this for me!! it’s really caring [and] sweet.”
A third person chimed in with their own experience: “My family had a dog that, if there was snow in the yard, would only poop on top of the snow. If there was no snow he didn’t care, he’d go wherever. Snow? Must poop on it.”
Why This Sitter’s Effort Matters
Behind the humor is an important point: dogs need to maintain a healthy bathroom routine. According to the American Kennel Club, canines should ideally have a “number two” at least once or twice a day.
The AKC notes that, while slight changes in frequency aren’t always alarming, “no bowel movement in over 24 to 36 hours is a cause of concern.”
If a dog approaches this window without pooping, the AKC recommends contacting a veterinarian—especially if the canine is lethargic, vomiting, or straining to defecate, or if there is any blood when trying to defecate.
So while the dog sitter’s dirt‑on‑carpet solution may appear extreme, it was done for a good reason: ensuring the little Chihuahua stayed healthy, even in snow‑day conditions.
Dogs and Their Quirks
This isn’t the first time dog owners have revealed their pets’ unusual habits. Newsweek has previously highlighted stories of canine quirks—from pups refusing to walk on hot concrete to dogs insisting on being carried over drains during walks.
Other owners described canines pretending to shiver when they want to be fed or demanding to be lifted onto the bed despite being perfectly capable of climbing up themselves.
Newsweek reached out to u/d4wnn for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.