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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
My dog always does this at the dog park.
DH says :
it's because they have scent markers in their feet
I say:
It's instinct to cover their scent out in the wild.
Anyone know the answer ?
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Posted 7/28/09 10:54 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
They have scent glands in their feet. 
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| Posted 7/28/09 10:56 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
They are territorial and are trying to scatter the scent, Dogs don't cover their scent. A dog scatters the scent to mark its territory, so the growling goes along with that. It's a cat that will try to cover it's scent.
http://shroudedindoubt.typepad.com/bag_of_worms_yet_words/2009/03/69-dog-paw-scent-glands-and-linear-boundaries-and-paths.html
According to this site, dogs do have scent glands in their paws.
(If you do any sort of web searches on this topic, you'll get a huge range of "answers". I'm not sure if anyone is absolutely certain, but marking the territory sounds much more like what a dog would do, rather than try to hide their scent.)
Message edited 7/28/2009 11:20:13 AM.
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| Posted 7/28/09 11:13 AM |
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
I was just wondering the same thing. I always thought they were cleaning poop off their feet, lol. Scent scattering makes much more sense.
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| Posted 7/28/09 12:18 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
My theory is that (much like squirrels) other animals are attracted to the scent of fresh/disturbed dirt. That they're increasing their chances of another animal smelling what they left behind and passing the information along that they were there.
I call it "reading his p-mail" 
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| Posted 7/28/09 12:44 PM |
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strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
i think it's so funny when my pups do this....my boy has these really sharp kicks-his leg goes straight out --it's too funny! and my girl does it "smoothly"--then they take off running after they r done!! 
Message edited 7/28/2009 1:39:24 PM.
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| Posted 7/28/09 1:38 PM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
Posted by GoldenRod
(If you do any sort of web searches on this topic, you'll get a huge range of "answers". I'm not sure if anyone is absolutely certain, but marking the territory sounds much more like what a dog would do, rather than try to hide their scent.)
Yes, I did a websearch first and found alot of answers including both DH & my theories.
So, I figured I'd see if any dog owners on here knew the right answer.
Thanks!
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| Posted 7/28/09 2:31 PM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
I always thought it was to keep their paws clean, because my dog who hates being dirty does it after peeing, and the one who could care less doesn't. But now I'm wondering...
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| Posted 7/28/09 3:55 PM |
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bellaluna
Baby come on out!
Member since 11/08 1934 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
I think its the cutest thing when my dog does it, she is a 6 pound maltese and I thought it was her attempt to cover it 
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| Posted 7/28/09 4:24 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
OMG!!! My dog just started doing this.
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| Posted 7/28/09 4:35 PM |
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Shellyfj
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 744 total posts
Name:
Shelly
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Re: why do dogs kick up dirt after they poo ?
Posted by GoldenRod
They are territorial and are trying to scatter the scent, Dogs don't cover their scent. A dog scatters the scent to mark its territory, so the growling goes along with that. It's a cat that will try to cover it's scent.
http://shroudedindoubt.typepad.com/bag_of_worms_yet_words/2009/03/69-dog-paw-scent-glands-and-linear-boundaries-and-paths.html
According to this site, dogs do have scent glands in their paws.
(If you do any sort of web searches on this topic, you'll get a huge range of "answers". I'm not sure if anyone is absolutely certain, but marking the territory sounds much more like what a dog would do, rather than try to hide their scent.)
I agree with this theory because one of my dogs only does this when there are other dogs around. Sometimes he does it even when he hasn't pooped.
My other dog does it every time he poops.
I think it's so cute!
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| Posted 7/28/09 5:20 PM |
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