Dogs behavior is often based on a lot of situational triggers. 1+2+3=6 while 1+3+4 = ... 8 (math is not one of those necessary skills for trainers, though it used to be my best subject!)
If a dog has learned that himself + poop in the kitchen + you walking in the door = you raising your voice about the smell and the mess, then next time the dog is present, plus someone pooped in the kitchen, plus you walking in the door... well, that caused tension in the air last time. Now let's imagine you go as far as to rub your dog's nose in it or even just yell directly at him when you walk in the door ... well, then you can guess that the "guilty" look will certainly be further exaggerated!
Guilt is a human emotion. Unless you catch your dog in the act, he has no idea that you are yelling at him because HE was the one who pooped in the kitchen - he is simply acting on experience. If your dog doesn't like when you yell (directly or indirectly), when you smack him on the bottom, or when you rub his nose in the poop - well then he is going to do everything he can to appease you in the hope that you don't follow through on punishing him for some mysterious act. And of course, if him slinking away and keeping his head low, keeps him out of trouble - then guess what? He knows what works and he certainly will do it again.
How about an experiment? Next time your dog does something you don't like (such as tearing about the trash maybe?) but you don't catch him in the act, walk in the room and throw him a party. Get excited, play with him. Do this a few times consistently, and I'm willing to bet all I have on the fact that after just a few repetitions, you can walk in the room + dog + trash strewn and that will equal a very excited dog!
Food for thought?
And there IS a study to back this up: http://www.impactlab.net/2009/06/11/is-your-dog-really-guilty-when-he-has-the-guilty-look/
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