I notice Allen does his poop-outside-the-box thing when I have not kept the bathroom box as clean as he prefers it (as in - if I don't remove any and all clumps down to the smallest clumps.) When he has to poop, he wants the box clean clean clean. THEN the brat refuses to cover it. This is his dominance thing. He doesn't want his smells co-mingling with the other poop in the box, and when he does poop oin the box he wants it left on top & uncovered to be smelled by all. Harry and Abby are very sweet and cover it for him once he leaves!

Is Shadow the Queen Bee cat? Who is the aplha cat in your household? If she is, then you might have the same situation as what I have with Allen.