I feel I should know the answer to this, I'm sure it is really basic... Pongo has started doing that thing where he scuffs up the ground with his hind feet after he's had a poo (if he was a cat I'd say he was trying to cover it up). Is that something about growing up? He hasn't started lifting his leg to pee yet....
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo It might mean he is having a bit of bother with his anal glands - maybe pop into the vet when you have a minute.
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Some people say it's also to do with territory/scent marking as ground raking after going to the toilet helps to spread their scent around. My mums dog does it after have a wee.
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Sorry Rosie...glad Pippa beat me to it as I couldn't offer any insight on what's behind his thinking....Dexter does his number 2 and charges off .....fully confident in the knowledge his faithful servant aka ME ;D is ready and waiting to dispose of his deposit :
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo My neighbours dog does this and has done since he was a pup....their in-laws dog also does this and has taught next doors. Harley has done it a few times after being with them! Strange, eh!!
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Rosie, you mean he energetically kicks backwards at the ground, rather than scooting along it with his bottom pressed to the ground. The former is scent marking as Penny+me says - it distributes scent from the feet and also creates a massive scent field from the dug up ground which releases all kinds of soil microbes that'd smell very different to undug ground. This disturbed earth smells different for many days, just from being scraped over (completely apart from any scent particles left by the dog itself). Basically, it's like putting up on a billboard 'Pongo was here!'. The latter (dragging butt along ground) might indicate either anal gland issues, worms, or just an itchy bottom, but I'm pretty sure your talking about the former
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo One of our pups Jack does this too, on our block paved patio lol. Our last male lab did it, but only when we were out on the field, and usually kicked grass and stuff anywhere except where he had just been. Jack has also cocked his leg a couple of times too, so cute, i didn't expect it this young (13 weeks today)
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo My old Mally age 9 always does this. I think its the wolf in him spreading his scent for miles ! He has never had an anal gland problem
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo My Lab Drift does it and if I am cleaning up his poo I often get a face full of mud and grass
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo [quote author=Oberon link=topic=7353.msg101956#msg101956 date=1408127909] I'm pretty sure your talking about the former [/quote] Yes, Rachael, exactly! Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense, he particularly does it on walks in new places.
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Holly does this. Badly. She walks away and scuffs up a random piece of ground several paces away from the poop.
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7353.msg101978#msg101978 date=1408131125] My Lab Drift does it and if I am cleaning up his poo I often get a face full of mud and grass [/quote] Yep! [quote author=Hollysdad link=topic=7353.msg101991#msg101991 date=1408135217] She walks away and scuffs up a random piece of ground several paces away from the poop. [/quote] And yep! Lilly will NEVER do this in our garden. only when we are out on walks - particularly if it is somewhere new or if she hasn't been some where for a while. Lilly has quite a dominant streak. May or may not be relevant
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Harvey does this too (although its only started in the last month or so). It seems to be mainly after pees rather than poos. [quote author=Stacia link=topic=7353.msg101978#msg101978 date=1408131125] My Lab Drift does it and if I am cleaning up his poo I often get a face full of mud and grass [/quote]Just be thankful its only mud and grass ...
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Pippa.... ;D - can't think of a circumstance where I'd 'ignore' any of your replies! But glad I don't have to worry about his anal glands...
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Sam also does this, but only when away from home , think its leaving a marker x
Re: Scuffing the ground after a poo Mira does this, and often after pees too. Sometimes she does it when she hasn't done either, but has just been sniffing a particularly interesting scent :
