# Why does my dog do that? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973 "2001-09-26T19:34:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/cab0a1/32.png) [@kami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kami)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/1 "2001-09-26T19:34:24Z")
What latent instinct drives my pup to “ACT” like she is covering her poop? Whenever I take her out, she gives a few half-hearted kicks with her back legs in the general direction of the poo pile. Do doggies in the wild cover their poop, and why? ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/2 "2001-09-26T19:43:21Z")
I’ve never seen a dog do that. Are you certain that what you have is not an overgrown, badly deformed cat? ---
**Author:** ![Toaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@Toaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toaster)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/3 "2001-09-26T19:43:54Z")
It’s a scent-marking ordeal. Most dogs will do this. Poop leaves a very strong scent marker to other critters (“Yo, this is my pad, keep out or ah’ll bust a tooth in yo’ tail!”), and scratching up the grass near it not only can attract a bit of extra attention in the area by scratching up grass hither and yon, but the scent glands between their toes can also mark a little bit extra information-wise. At least, that’s what I’ve read in many various dog behaviour books…it’s still a territorial thing. ---
**Author:** ![Jois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea666f/32.png) [@Jois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jois)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/4 "2001-09-26T22:12:53Z")
Toaster said, “…it’s still a territorial thing” and that’s what the books say it is. It is really quite a sight to see since I never can figure out how my dogs decide which way the wind is blowing and which way to scratch the ground to move the scent. I think in poodles and labs the genetic trait has taken a turn around the bend, the way they scratch never makes sence to me and they often do is from several feet away! BTW, a friend calls her dog “Toaster” because he keeps popping up, we’ve seen him clear a sofa back! Jois ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/5 "2001-09-26T22:16:59Z")
That’s funny. After Spot the Wonderpup makes a poop, he runs away from it as fast as he can. “It wasn’t me!!” ---
**Author:** ![Jois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea666f/32.png) [@Jois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jois)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/6 "2001-09-26T22:19:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*That’s funny. After Spot the Wonderpup makes a poop, he runs away from it as fast as he can. “It wasn’t me!!” \*\* Ah, probably that is what will happen with poodles and labs in the near future. Jois ---
**Author:** ![naughty\_wicked\_zoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@naughty\_wicked\_zoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naughty_wicked_zoot)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/7 "2001-09-27T12:51:35Z")
my greyhound does this, and it’s no fun if you happen to be behind him when he “scratches”. those long legs can send poop, dirt and grass flying for 7-8 feet!! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/8 "2001-09-27T13:01:40Z")
[Why does your dog do that?](http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y04X3652323X2657818/qid=1001595629/sr=1-2/104-5513042-5392761) ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-dog-do-that/83973/9 "2001-09-27T13:40:44Z")
Wesley, my elder sheepie, kicks after he poops. He also waddles forward slowly while he poops, so as to leave a “trail” rather than a “pile”. Max, my younger sheepie, shortly comes along and tries to eat Wesley’s poop. ☹ And then he’ll refuse to eat his heartworm pills 'cuz they don’t taste good. 😕