Dogs have some peculiar rituals when it comes to taking a poop! Many of them run around sniffing for ages before picking a spot and then turn in several circles before getting down to business. Some dogs also seem to do a strange dance after they have pooped and kick dirt and dust towards the poop pile. So, why do dogs kick after they poop?
As is the case with a lot of seemingly bizarre dog behaviors, it is connected with communication and leaving chemical messages for other dogs to pick up.
Why Do Dogs Kick After They Poop?
This perfectly normal behavior is connected with a number of canine instincts. Here, we explain what is going through your dog’s mind when they kick around the area where they have just pooped.
Marking Territory
Territory marking is a big deal for dogs! They do it using urine, anal gland secretions, and secretions on their paws. They have scent glands on the bottom of their feet and when they kick at the ground, they leave some of their scent behind. You may think that the odor of the poop would be much stronger than the scent from their feet, but you would be wrong! To a dog, the foot scent is much stronger and gives different information. This scent contains special chemical messengers called pheromones that can be detected by other dogs but is not perceptible to humans.
Territory marking was vital for ancient dogs and is still important to domestic dogs today. When domestic dogs are allowed to live in a free-ranging pack, they exhibit this behavior more often than in normal domestic dogs. It is most likely to occur near to territorial boundaries so it clearly has something to do with marking out the territory that belongs to a particular pack. This is why you may notice that dogs are more likely to kick if they have pooped in their own yard or garden or in the grounds near your apartment block.
The dog is basically saying “This poop and this territory is mine!” to any other dogs in the area. The scent also gives a lot of information about the dog that did the poop. It indicates their age and gender and if they are looking for a mate. It also serves as a warning for competing dogs to back off.
Dogs even kick around other dogs’ poop and this is probably an attempt to cover up the scent with their own.
Showing Who Is Dominant
Research in free-range packs of dogs has also revealed that dogs are more likely to scratch the ground around poop when they come across unfamiliar dogs. Also, the higher ranking and therefore dominant dogs were more likely to do it.
Studies have also shown that many dogs will keep away from a dog that kicks up the ground so it seems to be an effective way of announcing that you are the ‘boss dog’ of the block. As such, it could be described as a method of intimidation.
Visual Signaling
Kicking up the ground can leave long-lasting scratch marks in the grass – much to the annoyance of many dog owners. Of course, you won’t see these if your dog kicks up the sidewalk. Nevertheless, they are a visual signal to other dogs that your dog is in the area.
Again, the studies on free-range packs of dogs, have shown that dogs are more likely to leave visible scratches after another dog has raised their leg to pee in the area. Other dogs seemed to avoid male dogs that were ground- scratching so it may be a display of dominance.
Burying or Spreading Poop
You probably think the poop-burying is a cat activity and this is why we provide them with litter in litter trays. Did you know that dogs also sometimes bury their poop and some dogs have been successfully trained to use litter trays indoors?
If you see your dog kicking dirt over their poop, they may be attempting to bury it. You will also probably think that they are not doing a great job of it! This is because their plan is different than cats. They are not trying to cover up the poop to hide it. Instead, they are trying to spread the scent around as much as possible by stirring up the ground around the pile of poop. Once again, this is all about announcing their presence to other dogs in the area.
Rarely, a dog will genuinely be trying to cover up their poop and this occurs when they feel threatened. They don’t want other dogs to know that they are in the neighborhood. This is seen more often in wild dogs and is very unusual behavior in pet dogs.
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Paw Cleaning
Dogs can be quite fussy about their paws. They do not enjoy getting anything on them and find it very irritating. If they have some dirt or poop on their paws, they will try to wipe it off by kicking up the ground. In fact, they get rid of all unwanted dirt on their body by rubbing against the ground.
If your dog carries on kicking at the ground a long time after they have pooped, it may indicate that something is wrong. It would be worth having a good look at their paws in case they have something stuck in them.
Which Dogs Are Most Likely to Kick After They Poop?
Dogs of all breeds can display this behavior at some point. Research into why dogs kick after pooping has suggested that free-roaming dogs are more likely to do it when they are having confrontations with other dogs that are not in their pack.
Other studies carried out in dog shelters have shown that senior dogs (who may be seen as dominant by other dogs) are more likely to kick after pooping. It’s not seen so often in younger dogs. On the whole, dominant and aggressive dogs do this most often.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Kick After a Poop?
Most of the time, it will not hurt your dog at all. The only problem is if they hurt their nails or paw pads on sharp stones in the dirt or grass. This is not very likely though.
It can be riskier if they carry on doing it on harder surfaces like tiles, wooden decking, or concrete. Some dogs even do it inside on rugs and carpets when they have not even done a poop!
Constant kicking on rough surfaces can cause abrasions to paw pads. You will need to keep an eye out for this as they can become sore and can even become infected. You may want to use some paw pad balm to soothe them or protect them with some shoes.
Excessive kicking can be a sign of a behavioral issue. It can mean that your dog is very anxious and feels that they need to constantly declare their superiority. Some owners notice that an older dog starts kicking a lot when a new pup is introduced into the home. This should settle down in a few weeks but it is wise to keep an eye on it. Anxious dogs can become aggressive and you may need to seek support from an animal behavior expert.
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How to Stop Dogs Kicking After Pooping
You don’t have to try to stop this behavior if you don’t want to. It is an instinctual behavior and is therefore good for your dog.
However, the downside is that it can cause quite a lot of mess on some lawns and in flower beds! You may want to try some things to try to minimize the damage. Here are some ideas that other dog owners have found useful.
Dog Parks
If you live near a dog park, this could be a better area for your dog to take a poop. The landscape is usually less formal and can cope with a bit of kicking! Many dog parks allow you to walk your dog off-leash. However, it is important that you watch your dog at all times. If the poop-kicking is a sign of dominance, your dog may be a little confrontational with other dogs. This is something that needs to be addressed with an experienced dog trainer.
Designate a Potty Area
You could create a dog run in your garden using fences and barriers. This area needs some soft soil or sand so that your dog can poop and kick safely. It also keeps your dog away from the more delicate parts of your garden.
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What Not to Do
Do not try to control this behavior by shouting at or punishing your dog. They simply will not connect the kicking with the punishment. At best, it will spoil the bond that you have with your pooch. At worst, they will think that you are cross because they have pooped. This leads to dogs pooping in the house and some even develop diarrhea because they are so stressed.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © otsphoto/Shutterstock.com
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is it normal for dogs to kick after they poop?
Yes, this is perfectly normal behavior displayed by male and female dogs. It is seen in wild dogs and in pets. It may be annoying for us because it can damage lawns but your dog will see no harm in it. Not all dogs do it all of the time. It depends on how your dog is feeling and if they feel the need to advertise their presence to other dogs in the area.
Why do dogs kick after they pee?
This is for the same reasons that they kick after they poop. They may be spreading scent from their paws. Dogs’ urine also contains lots of chemical messengers called pheromones and so they may be trying to spread this around. It advertises their presence to other dogs and can be an act of dominance.
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