Many people assume that when a dog kicks the earth and grass after pooping it is a poorly executed attempt at burying the poop. While it would be nice of your dog to bury their own poop to reduce the need for a pooper scooper, in reality they are depositing and spreading a chemical that is part of marking their territory.
Many people are unaware that dogs have special glands in their paws that release pheromones, These pheromones are long lasting and will survive far longer than the scent of the poop or pee. These scents are an important part of the communication between dogs, and scratching activates them.
When your dog is frantically scratching at the lawn, he is not trying to dig up your grass. He is simply marking the spot with his scent so that other dogs understand that this is his territory. Flicking the dirt while scratching also helps spread the dirt/scent around.
When Scratching Can Be an Issue
In the natural environment, you dog scratching at the grass is not an issue that causes much concern. However, dogs occasionally bring this behavior indoors and a dog begins to scratch the floor, scratching a wooden floor or marking a tiled floor. The dog may also scratch on the leg of a bed or other vertical item as well. Sofas can also be the target of this behavior.
If your dog carries out scratching on an industrial scale, you should make sure that you check their feet for cuts and sores, which can be caused by rough surfaces. You can purchase ointments that will provide temporary relief for your pet. In severe cases, consult a vet.
Scratching May Be a Response to Stress
Sometimes when you notice that your dog has started scratching the floor, or increases the frequency, it may be due to stress. This could be a new puppy in the house, or a new dog in the neighborhood. In some cases it may be due to some other random change that has taken place in their house and is stressing your pet.
It is Not Only Connected With Smell
The scratching behavior occurs in around 9% of adult dogs on a regular basis. The action has also be associated with wolves and wild dogs and is not confined to domestic dogs. The behavior occurs with dogs of both sexes and is not confined to after a dog has peed or pooped. It can take place on other occasions as well.
You will probably notice this behavior in areas closer to your home rather than further afield. Particularly in the front yard or grass areas adjacent to the home.
When there are more dogs nearby, the behavior is more common and can be a visual warning to other dogs to stay away. Research has recorded that after the scratching other dogs tend to keep away from them.
So not only is the dog marking the ground with pheromones, the action of scratching is also a visual signal to other dogs to keep their distance. It is classed as an intimidation display.
You can see from this article that what may have appeared to be a simple action is full of messages to other dogs and plays an important part in your pet’s communication. By poop scooping this pheromone will still remain and so removing the feces does not interfere with this inter-dog communication.
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