Why do dogs kick after going to the bathroom?

[Bonn1997]

And why is their aim so bad? I've heard the notion that they're trying to cover their marking but I don't quite understand that. I thought the purpose of marking was so that other animals *would* notice it, and it seems covering it would defeat that purpose. I've always found their kicking amusing.

There are certain areas in my neighborhood with hay covering the ground. I always have to pick up all the hay and put it back after Chance kicks it onto the street! I could just say "no" and she would stop kicking but it just seems so important to her to kick!

[Ludo the Monster]

They are spreading that smell around. That is what I was always told.

[Bonn1997]

They are spreading that smell around. That is what I was always told.

Oh that makes more sense than the "covering it" theory. I think I had heard that before too actually.

[K9companions]

It's another way for them to "mark their territory". Scent comes off from the pads and kicking the dirt helps spread the scent around.

[Bonn1997]

It's another way for them to "mark their territory". Scent comes off from the pads and kicking the dirt helps spread the scent around.

That makes sense but it seems to me like they do a "suboptimal" job of spreading their scent. You'd think they'd go right up next to spot where they peed and kick but my dogs usually stand about 2 feet away from where they peed and kick. The scent that they're spreading is probably much weaker where they're kicking.

Regarding the pads, are you saying that some of the urine gets on the paws when they pee and then the kicking spreads it? I'm not doubting the "spreading it" theory. I just have more time and more curiosity than I should!

[K9companions]

That makes sense but it seems to me like they do a "suboptimal" job of spreading their scent. You'd think they'd go right up next to spot where they peed and kick but my dogs usually stand about 2 feet away from where they peed and kick. The scent that they're spreading is probably much weaker where they're kicking.

Regarding the pads, are you saying that some of the urine gets on the paws when they pee and then the kicking spreads it? I'm not doubting the "spreading it" theory. I just have more time and more curiosity than I should!

Dogs have sweat gland in the pads of their paws that secrets a natural dog odor. I would believe that urine would smell stronger, but I think it's just another way to leave their calling card for other animals to check out.

As for their "style" of marking, sometimes I just wish I could look inside their head to find the answer...

[JustTess]

I always thought dogs were just wiping their paws for a possible dribble accident :P

[Bonn1997]

I always thought dogs were just wiping their paws for a possible dribble accident :P

hmmmm. That's an interesting idea too!

Dogs have sweat gland in the pads of their paws that secrets a natural dog odor. I would believe that urine would smell stronger, but I think it's just another way to leave their calling card for other animals to check out.

As for their "style" of marking, sometimes I just wish I could look inside their head to find the answer...

Oh now I get the point about the paw sweat glands. (I read a little more online.) The sweat glands in the paws help to add the scent to the overall vicinity.

[spotted nikes]

I live in the desert SW where there are a lot of yards w/gravel landscaping. Rusty (my stray that took 9 mo to catch), is so funny when I walk him. He'll pee, then if he is on the gravel, he makes the scratching motions, in slow motion without actually scratching the gravel. He looks like those people you see doing those tai Chi (sp?) movements on California beaches.

[tipper]

I have nick name for it Muck spreading

Mainly it is to spread the scent to let other dogs know, this is his terriory and your in his back yard

[Dog Tracks]

Mabel (rat terrier) does the same thing, although she always does her kicking about a foot away from her pee spot. I read somewhere that it was the sweat from the paw pads, so I've always assumed that was correct. Nice to see it again here.

What gets me is how many times Mabel can pee on a one mile walk! I lose count at 20.

[Bonn1997]

Mabel (rat terrier) does the same thing, although she always does her kicking about a foot away from her pee spot. I read somewhere that it was the sweat from the paw pads, so I've always assumed that was correct. Nice to see it again here.

What gets me is how many times Mabel can pee on a one mile walk! I lose count at 20.

It is really funny! You'd think they'd run out urine by then! Also, Chance is the dominant one in my two dog pack. Whenever Lucky pees, Chance simply HAS TO cover it. I'm tempted to make her just keep walking but covering it up just seems SO important to Chance!

[K9companions]

It is really funny! You'd think they'd run out urine by then! Also, Chance is the dominant one in my two dog pack. Whenever Lucky pees, Chance simply HAS TO cover it. I'm to make her just keep walking but covering it up just seems SO important to Chance!

Hunter does that as well! Whenever another dog is marking, he HAS to overpee it. One time the neighbors dog pooped in our yard, and I think his little pee gland was empty, and I swear he took ten minutes just trying to get out his own poopy, over the other dogs spot! I was thinking to myself, "thats a lot of trouble for something I'm gonna have to clean up in five minutes!"