Canines exhibit a variety of behavior patterns that might seem bizarre for a human to perform, but are normal in the world of dogs. Kicking your hind legs after peeing is just one of the behaviors that seem to be without purpose, however, in actuality, there are a variety of reasons your dog is likely to be doing this.
Marking the territory
The scent glands of dogs are located on the soles of their feet, which are used to identify their boundaries. Domestic dogs do not necessarily require these glands, however, their predecessors used them to mark their territory.
The glands that produce scents contain invisible chemicals that mark scents called pheromones and are the dog’s call card or identification device. Urine or the anal gland’s secretions also contain pheromones and could be used to define territories. Other dogs can smell the scents when a dog is kicked at them, even though humans can’t detect them. They will also be able to discern whether the urine belongs to another dog.
It can be used to warn aggressive dogs, or as a signal that a dog is in the mood to be a mate. It is possible that you will notice your dog’s kicking in this manner after sniffing a dog’s poop or urine. This could be an attempt to mask the smells of the other dog with their individual scents.
Kicking is a common way of communication in canines even though there’s no necessity for it in a domestic dog it’s not something to worry about.
The dogs that are more dominant are usually the ones who are the most aggressive in their kicks after having poop. If you are in a multi-dog family it is possible that certain dogs do not kick, while others display an impressive display.
Dispersing or burying waste
Another reason your dog is likely to kick the floor after pooping is that it is trying to dump its waste. This is usually seen in cats, however, dogs can also try to also bury their waste.
The process of burying waste isn’t done as if the dog is trying to conceal something, however, it is to disperse the scent of their poop to the world. The act of kicking dirt up and covering it draws more attention to the feces and it’s another way that the dog can mark its territory after pooping.
In rare instances, it is possible for a dog to try to put its feces in a secluded area when it is afraid and wants to conceal the fact that it is there, however this is more frequent among wild dogs.
Wiping Paws
Certain dogs don’t like getting their paws dirty, therefore, if they find something upon their paws following a poo, they might be making hope of wiping their paws clean. They do not like the feel of dirt or particles on their paws and try to rub it away, similar to how they rub their faces against the ground if they feel that there’s something on it.
Though kicking could be an indication of discomfort or an attempt to remove something off of paws, if it occurs after peeing, it’s most likely connected with any of the two other reasons listed above.
Are you able to stop your dog from kicking after they Poop?
Although your dog might mean very well when he kicks after peeing, however, many dog owners do not like the damage it does to their lawns. If it’s possible it is possible to kick what your dog displays should not be a cause for concern since it’s natural and instinctual.
There are a few management strategies that you can employ to reduce the harm it could be doing to your lawn.
Walking your pet on a leash away from your yard is an ideal option to safeguard your landscaping. This method of avoiding will let your dog kick after peeing, but because it’s on an alleyway or in a dog park walking zone it won’t cause any problems in the event that your grass gets damaged.
Another alternative is to train your dog to limit toileting in a particular space such as a dog park. Create a space where your dog can use the bathroom but instead of choosing beautiful grass, lay on river rocks, pebbles or mulch so that your dog isn’t causing harm. Your dog will be able to do what it is best at and you don’t have to think about it.
Try to stop this behavior by shouting at your dog when he has pooped can cause your dog to become afraid of peeing around you and could damage the trust bond between you and your dog. The dog could begin to poop in the home in an effort to keep it secret or get diarrhea from the pressure of being shouted at.