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You’re walking your dog outside to go to the bathroom with it’s late at night. But instead of finding a suitable spot to do their business, you notice they spin around a few times before pooping. It may seem like odd behavior, but some dogs like making circles rather than making number two on the spot.
Have you ever taken your dog for a walk, only to spend what feels like an eternity waiting for them to choose the perfect spot to do their business? You’re not alone! As a dog owner, I’ve spent countless hours standing in parks, on sidewalks, and in backyards while my pup sniffs, circles, and contemplates the perfect location for their poop.
It turns out, there’s a lot more going on in your dog’s mind during this process than you might think. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of canine bathroom habits and uncover the science behind how dogs pick a spot to poop!
The 9 Key Factors That Determine Where Your Dog Poops
1. Earth’s Magnetic Field: Their Natural Compass
Believe it or not your dog might be using the Earth’s magnetic field to decide where to poop! A fascinating study of 70 dogs and nearly 1900 defecations found that dogs prefer to align their bodies along the north-south axis when they poop, but only when the magnetic field is calm.
Scientists call this ability “magnetoreception” – it’s like your dog has a built-in compass! While researchers aren’t entirely sure why dogs do this, it seems to be an unconscious behavior that might simply feel more comfortable for them.
2. Substrate Preference: The Perfect Surface
Does your dog refuse to poop on certain surfaces? This is called “substrate preference,” and it’s a real thing!
Dogs develop preferences for certain pooping surfaces between 8 to 24 weeks of age. If your pup grew up eliminating on grass, they might be reluctant to go on concrete or bare soil. This is why it’s important to expose puppies to different surfaces early on.
My dog absolutely refuses to poop on sidewalks and will hold it until we find a patch of grass no matter how small. This behavior started when he was a puppy, and now it’s firmly established!
3. Territory Marking: Leaving Their Signature
Dogs are territorial creatures and one way they claim their territory is through scent marking with their poop. When your dog poops in a specific area they’re essentially leaving their calling card for other dogs.
Their feces contains a unique scent that serves as their ID, providing information about their:
- Age
- Gender
- Mood
- Health status
So when your dog chooses to poop in a new spot, they might be claiming it as their territory. This behavior has been inherited from their wolf ancestors, who used similar marking strategies to defend their territories.
4. Visibility: Making a Statement
Just like we post signs in noticeable places, dogs often choose highly visible locations to poop. They want their message to be seen and smelled by as many other dogs as possible!
Research on wolves (dogs’ ancestors) shows that they often leave their feces at crossroads or other noticeable places – up to 72.1% of wolf poop is found in locations easily noticeable to other wolves.
This is why your dog might choose to poop right in the middle of the path rather than off to the side – they’re making sure their message gets noticed!
5. Height Advantage: Going Vertical
Have you ever seen a dog try to poop on a bush or against a wall? While it might look strange to us, there’s a method to this madness!
Some dogs prefer to poop on vertical objects or elevated areas because:
- Higher positions help disperse their scent further
- Elevated poop is more visible to other dogs
- It makes them appear larger or more dominant to other dogs
This behavior is similar to when dogs raise their leg to pee on fire hydrants or trees – the higher they mark, the bigger they’re perceived by other dogs.
6. Familiarity: Returning to Previous Spots
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell – about 10,000 times better than ours! They often return to spots where they’ve pooped before because the familiar scent makes them feel safe and comfortable.
Even if you’ve cleaned the area thoroughly, your dog can still detect trace amounts of their scent, which is why they might consistently choose the same spots in your yard or on your walking route.
7. Safety Concerns: Finding a Secure Location
When a dog poops, they’re in a vulnerable position – squatting with their attention focused elsewhere. This makes them less able to defend themselves against potential threats.
For nervous or anxious dogs, finding a safe place to poop is essential. They might look for:
- Quiet areas away from noise and commotion
- Familiar environments where they feel comfortable
- Places without signs of other predators or threats
This is why some dogs refuse to poop in busy areas or might take longer to go in unfamiliar places – they’re making sure it’s safe first!
8. Peace and Quiet: Seeking Tranquility
Some dogs, especially those with anxious personalities, prefer to do their business in peaceful, quiet locations. They might avoid busy streets or areas with lots of distractions.
If your dog seems to take forever to poop in certain environments but goes quickly in others, they might be looking for a calm spot where they can concentrate without stress.
9. Social Information: Following Other Dogs’ Lead
Dogs are often attracted to areas where other dogs have pooped. This isn’t just copycat behavior – they’re gathering important social information!
By sniffing and pooping near another dog’s deposit, your dog might be:
- Learning about other dogs in the area
- Responding to “messages” left by other dogs
- Covering up another dog’s scent with their own (a form of competition)
Why Do Dogs Sniff So Much Before Pooping?
That extensive pre-poop sniffing ritual isn’t just your dog being indecisive. When your dog sniffs the ground before pooping, they’re:
- Reading messages: They’re gathering information about other dogs that have been in the area
- Checking for safety: Making sure there are no threats nearby
- Finding the perfect surface: Looking for their preferred substrate
- Seeking the right spot: Determining the best location for their “message”
- Assessing territorial claims: Figuring out if another dog has already claimed this area
BONUS: They Keep Their Living Areas Clean
Most dogs prefer not to poop where they sleep or eat. This is an instinctual behavior that helps keep their living areas clean and free from parasites or disease.
This is why your dog might choose to poop in the farthest corner of your yard, away from their usual hangout spots. They’re naturally inclined to separate their bathroom areas from their living spaces.
How to Help Your Dog Poop Faster (When You’re in a Hurry)
While it’s important to let your dog follow their natural instincts when possible, sometimes you’re in a rush and need them to hurry up! Here are some tips:
- Train a potty cue: Use a consistent phrase like “go potty” and reward them when they comply
- Pre-potty activities: A quick walk or play session can stimulate bowel movements
- Know their preferences: Once you understand what surface and environment your dog prefers, you can head directly there
- Maintain a routine: Dogs thrive on consistency, so regular potty times can help
- Give them sufficient outdoor time: If they’re delaying just to stay outside longer, make sure they get plenty of non-potty outdoor playtime
When to Worry About Your Dog’s Pooping Behavior
While taking time to choose a poop spot is normal, some changes in behavior might indicate health issues. Contact your vet if you notice:
- Straining or inability to poop
- Blood in the stool
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Whining during potty time
- Unusual behavior changes
- Suddenly avoiding usual spots
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re impatiently waiting for your dog to pick the perfect poop spot, remember that they’re not just being difficult – they’re engaging in complex behaviors rooted in their biology, psychology, and evolutionary history!
Your dog’s pooping habits might seem mysterious or even annoying at times, but they’re actually a fascinating window into canine communication, territory management, and sensory perception.
So, give your pup a bit of extra time to find that perfect spot – they’ve got a lot more on their mind than we realize! And maybe bring an extra poop bag… just in case they decide to leave their “message” in more than one strategic location!
What’s the strangest place your dog has chosen to poop? Share your funny stories in the comments below!
Finding the Perfect Spot
“Not all dogs spin, but there are several reasons why some do,” says Dr. Mary Burch, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist and director of the AKC Family Dog Program. “Circling before defecating goes back to the dog’s early ancestors.”
Historically, dogs lived outdoors. Because of this, some habits they developed during their primitive years are hardwired evolutionary traits they repeat today.
One theory suggests that dogs spin before pooping is similar to turning in circles before lying indoors or outside. The circling might explain why dogs turn around two, three, or even four times and dig at or arrange blankets before settling down to take a nap. “In this situation, the dog could be getting their blankets exactly the way it wants,” Dr. Burch says.
In the wild, creating footsteps helped flatten the dirt or rough surface into a smoother, more comfortable area to sleep. This allows a dog to check its space for small unwanted creatures, such as snakes and lizards.
Turning around a few times also allows a dog to pick up scents from a predator upwind who might be lurking nearby while the dog is squatting. Dogs don’t want to feel vulnerable if a predator might attack. If a dog senses the slightest threat on the horizon, they’ll leave and look for a more secure location to potty.
“The dog faces the direction where they feel most safe and comfortable,” Dr. Burch says. “The spinning helps the dog prepare the soil or flatten the grass to make the area cleaner.”
Tall vegetation or grasses could trap excrement and adhere to a dog’s rear end. Like people, dogs don’t like using a dirty bathroom. They look for a clean restroom where they won’t be bothered. Even today, dogs retain an instinctual behavior to maintain good hygiene while doing their business.
Dogs have scent glands near the anus and on the pads of their feet. Whirling and scratching up the ground before or after emptying their bowels is like marking their territory and adding a post to the area. When other dogs get a whiff of the spot, it lets them know who showed up on the site, the time of day or night they appeared, and perhaps some information about their health.
“One theory holds that when a dog spins or kicks up the grass, it leaves its scent for other dogs,” Dr. Burch says.
Many dogs will walk and sniff for it seems like miles before they settle into the preferred spot. That’s when the dance in the round begins.
Why Do Dogs Sniff Before They Poop (Answered & Explained)
FAQ
How does a dog decide where to poop?
A dog decides where to poop based on their preference for a surface and the Earth’s magnetic field. They may also choose areas that were previously soiled or spots they’re claiming. Some dogs might choose a noticeable area, while others may look for a safer place if they’re nervous.
Do dogs like to poop?
Every dog has their favorite place to poop! Allie Bender (CPDT-KA), a dog behaviorist, trainer, and founder of Pet Harmony, says that some dogs like privacy, while others are okay with being in the open. Some dogs prefer grass, while others like ivy. Here are some things most dogs look for when picking their perfect potty spot:
Why do dogs sniff before they poop?
Dogs sniff before they poop to learn about the area, leave messages for other dogs, and find a safe spot. While the long decision time, might be frustrating experts say that sniffing before pooping is totally normal, an important part of their bathroom routine, and built into their instincts.
Why do dogs pee and poop in different places?
Dogs pee and poop in different places to mark territories and leave their scent. This behavior could also be a learned one as some dogs might be trained to relieve themselves in specific spots.
Why do dogs sniff the ground before they poop?
Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell, which is 10,*000 times better than humans. Before they poop, they may sniff the ground to gather information about their surroundings. This behavior could also be related to finding the traces of their old stools.
Why do dogs poop?
They can tell where a dog has been, their health, feelings, and even if they’re looking for a mate. While urine marking is more common, some dogs poop to leave a strong scent from their glands to mark territory and send messages to other dogs. 2. They’re finding a safe spot
How do dogs choose their poop spot?
What makes a dog poop in a certain spot?
How do dogs pick where to pee and poop?
Dogs use visual, scent, and textural cues to decide if an area is appropriate to pee or poop on. Most likely, your dog will pee or poop at the park, where there’s grass, even if they’ve never been to that park before.
Why do dogs take long to find a spot to poop?