Why does my dog kick grass after pooping?

It's a common sight: your dog finishes going to the toilet, and then they start kicking grass everywhere behind them. Why do dogs do this bizarre ritual? Why does your pup go crazy for that one specific spot in the park?

It's a behaviour that's often misunderstood, so if you're wondering why your dog kicks grass after pooping, we're here to answer.

The main thing is not to panic: this behaviour is usually normal. But it can indicate a deeper problem depending on other signs.

Here, we discuss why dogs kick after pooping, why dogs kick their legs back generally and how to manage it (and if you need to).

Why do dogs kick dirt and grass after pooping?

There are numerous reasons why dogs kick after pooping. Reasons include:

Instinct

It may be an instinctual behaviour from a time when dogs lived in packs, helping them mark and establish their territory.

Scent marking

Dogs have scent glands in their paws which can release pheromones when they scratch the ground. This scent marks the territory. You can think of it as your dog saying "I've been here, this spot is mine" to all the other dogs.

Territorial behaviour

Kicking is a way of marking territory. It's not trying to cover their poop (trust us, dogs don't really care about stuff like that).

Visual communication

Kicking signals to other dogs that they've just scent-marked, too. The act of kicking is a way of communicating.

Wait, so dogs don't kick to cover their poop?

No. It's a common misconception that dogs kick their faeces to cover it. It's only true for cats.  

Why does my dog kick their back legs randomly?

Dogs like to kick their legs back at other times, too. It isn't just a bathroom thing. While the movement may look playful or random, it's not; it has a purpose.

Leg-kicking generally helps distribute scent from the paw pads, and they don't need to pee or poop for this to happen.

Other reasons why a dog may kick include:

• Dreaming

• Excitement

• Playfulness

• Scratching an itch

Some dogs are more enthusiastic about kicking than others, and it usually comes down to their personality. More dominant personalities will kick more often.

Don't confuse canine "dominance" with aggression, though. In a dog context, it just refers to social communication and territory marking, not aggression or fighting. It's just communicating with other canines in the area; it's not your dog engaging in confrontation.

Is it ever a cause for concern?

Not always. Occasional kicking is completely normal, and you probably don't have to worry about it.

But you should see a vet if kicking is:

• Anxious

• Combined with limping, scooting or yelping

• Excessive

• Frantic

• Sudden

It's worth getting a professional opinion on this as frequent kicking has a wide range of causes. It could be neurological, a joint issue or a paw pad injury, for example.

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Are some breeds more prone to kicking?

Yes. Breeds that come from a herding or working background can kick more. This makes them behave more reactively, which can translate to a bit more kicking.

Examples include:

• Australian Shepherds

• Border Collies

• Doberman Pinschers

• German Shepherds

• Miniature Schnauzers

• Rottweilers

• Rough Collies

Why do dogs kick after peeing, and why grass or dirt?

It's similar to post-poop kicking: it marks scent and territory. It's more common in high-traffic areas or places where your dog has never been before.

It's more common in unneutered male dogs, but all dogs, from puppies to golden oldies, can engage in it. It helps to reinforce boundaries in their favourite spots or establish themselves in new areas.

So, why dirt and grass? Well, they carry scent well and leave visible marks. This is ideal for dogs who want to spread their scent as far as possible. Soft, loose dirt makes scent more pronounced, so a dog will happily kick dirt or grass everywhere as it's more efficient.

Kicking up earth makes the spot noticeable for other dogs and, in the wild, spreading dirt and scent is a way to establish dominance in a shared territory.

How to manage it (and if you need to)

Now, while kicking dirt and grass isn't harmful, it can lead to some negative consequences, like a destroyed or damaged garden.

It's possible to train a dog to stop kicking dirt. But it's an instinctive behaviour, and you're probably better off just managing the behaviour instead of training your dog out of it.

To do so, you should:

Understand the behaviour

We've discussed this above, but to summarise, dogs kick after peeing or pooping to:

• Communicate

• Mark their territory

• Spread their scent

As you can see, the theme between these actions is instinct. It might not be possible to positively reinforce your dog's behaviour away from this.

Try to manage it

There are a few ways to manage it, like:

Changing your walks

If your dog regularly wrecks the grass in one area, try a different route for a few weeks and see if this stops things.

Create a designated bathroom area.

Train your dog to go to the bathroom in one specific spot. This will limit the amount of damage your dog does through kicking, and if it's an area that isn't perfect for kicking, like somewhere that's not muddy, it'll naturally tempt your dog to stop.

You may need to use positive reinforcement to encourage them to use one area only.

Understand your dog

Pay close attention to your dog's cues and body language cues so you can anticipate when they need to go. Look for pre-kicking signs like sniffing, circling and the kicking stance.

If you know your dog and their routine, you can be ready to redirect their attention before kicking.

Use a lead

A lead can help redirect your dog's attention and prevent them from kicking in specific areas. Just casually lead them away after they pee or poop (and clean up afterwards, of course).

Using basic commands

Basic commands like "stop" and "come" can cut off your dog's kicking before it happens, and then you can reward them to create a positive feedback loop.

Use positive reinforcement training (but don't expect results)

Positive reinforcement training is when you reward your dog for doing the actions you want. Over time, this builds up a positive association with it, leading to a dog wanting to do it more.

You can use it to train your dog to do pretty much anything, like basic commands and tricks, as well as stopping troublesome behaviour, like excessive barking.

But for kicking, it's more difficult as this has such a strong evolutionary and instinctual background. Don't expect guaranteed results when training your dog to stop this, and for the most part, it's better to manage the kicking instead of training them out of it.

If you do want to try to train your dog to stop, you should:

• Observe your dog's behaviour and anticipate when they're going to kick. Before the kick, distract them with a command, treat or toy. Now, this may not work because, as we said, there's a strong instinctual pull to do it.

• Reward alternative behaviours. So, when your dog doesn't kick, reward them with high-value treats and praise.

• Continue to redirect attention in a consistent, patient way. This helps associate not kicking with something positive.

Be patient

It's important, especially when helping a dog unlearn a strong instinct, to stay calm, consistent and patient. These things take time, and your dog is no doubt trying their best.

Never punish your dog for kicking after peeing or pooping. This doesn't help, they don't know it's "wrong" and they're just following their instinct. Plus, it doesn't even teach them not to do it; it just makes them scared and anxious.

Positive reinforcement training is much more effective.

How dog insurance helps

So, a dog kicking isn't normally anything to worry about. But there are understandable cases where you may not want yours to do it.

In rare cases, it can indicate a deeper health issue, so please do see your vet if you're concerned about excessive kicking with your dog, especially if they have other symptoms.

Dog insurance helps with up to £20,000 vet fee cover, unlimited 24/7 vet calls with FirstVet and a host of ManyPets Perks.

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