Don't wait to see your veterinarian when your dog is limping. Why Does My Dog Kick His Legs While Asleep? In doing so, we are going to learn a little about the dog scratch reflex. But if you're mad that your dog is destroying your grass, there is a solution. Broken bones, fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament tears, joint trauma, and spinal injuries can all cause moderate to severe limping, and in some cases the dog may not be able to put weight on the affected leg at all. So here are some interesting “pawsibilities” behind this curious behavior. There are those who suggest that when a dog puts his paw on your arm, he may be trying to assert his dominance over you. Degenerative myelopathy is believed to be a common cause of weakness of the hind legs in dogs. Perhaps this provides another facet as to why stressed dogs tend to sweat from their paws. Why do dogs kick their legs after they poop? The real reason to why dogs do this is to mark their territory. As the disease progresses, the rear legs will cross under the dog�s body as the dog, losing sensation in its hindquarters, will not know where it has actually placed its feet. There are many different reasons why back leg weakness can affect your dog. There are some scent glands on the pads of a dog's paw. Lymphedema is the swelling of various tissues in the dog's body due to fluid retention within the tissues. Why do dogs kick their legs after pooping? If he is having a hard time walking, or he is staggering and wobbling on his feet, this back leg weakness may be a result of muscle atrophy, pain, or nerve damage. There are therefore chances that when a dog kicks back dirt with his hind legs he may also be trying to leave some sort of visual marking as well. According to a study conducted by Marc Bekoff, in the case of dogs scratching the ground with their back feet there are actually two different visual displays at play: the act itself of scratching the ground with the back legs which can grab the attention of other dogs, and the traces left in the substrate which act as visual markers. Why does my dog lay on his back and kick? However, this is not entirely true. So when a dog urinates, it leaves a scent for other dogs and animals to detect. Injuries and trauma are the most obvious causes of limping in dogs. Dogs and wolves kick their back legs like a bull after pooping when living in the wild. Why would my dog be limping on his back leg? Injuries and trauma are the most obvious causes of limping in dogs. Both cause a dog to lick and bite at one particularly itchy area, lead to bacterial infections and scarring. Along with the sweat, they may be leaving behind important “alarm messages” giving other dogs a “head’s up” about the presence of a threat! “It seems that in these dogs, the belly rub feels good,” she says. That would make sense given your pup's recent surgery. Dogs have scent glands on their paw pads, and running around may help distribute their scent in the area where they've just defecated. Broken bones, fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament tears, joint trauma, and spinal injuries can all cause moderate to severe limping, and in some cases the dog may not be able to put weight on the affected leg at all. He is walking by using his front legs and dragging his back legs. Hediger, a Swiss biologist noted for work in animal behavior, back in 1949, coined the term “demonstration marking” to refer to conspicuous marking behaviors that may also play a role as visual social displays. This is caused by an abnormality in the lymphatic system. What does it mean when a dog kicks its back legs after peeing? These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. (Because it may be difficult to distinguish back pain from limb pain, handle all limping dogs gently). Why is my dog limping on his back left leg? Watch this Dog Kick up Dirt With a Passion! If the dog is comfortable with the person who is petting him, the pup will sometimes roll onto his back to increase belly access. Why do dogs kick their back legs after they poop? Why do dogs kick their hind legs after they pee? Fact: When a dog holds the leg up or is limping, it could be because of anything in the leg. Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination. Why won't my dog put weight on his back leg? What is a Spatulate Tongue in Dogs? In this case, back leg weakness is a term that is often used to refer to Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a disease of the spinal cord. Why do dogs kick their hind legs after they poop? In each condition, the dog's stomach area hurts, so the dog may arch his back and tuck in his abdomen to alleviate the pain. Do English Mastiffs make good guard dogs? Sometimes the only sign of this genetic defect is when a dog skips or hops while walking. Why does my female dog kick her back legs? All dog owners would have noticed that, from time to time, their dogs twitch in their sleep. What are Accidental Behavior Chains in Dog Training? Healthy anal glands, or sacs, continually fill up with fluid that gets expelled every time your dog poops. These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. I have a dog and he does this weird thing. Log into your account. Please follow us on Facebook . This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down. When dogs kick up a storm of dirt after finishing with their business, they are actually leaving a message rather than setting a cover-up, explains veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman. Why do dogs kick their feet after pooping? Another reason that dogs may engage in kicking up the dirt or grass after going potty may be the fact that they are literally trying to spread the scent of their “business” to more ground. This occurs when a small portion of a spinal disc breaks off of your dog's spinal column and blocks blood flow to a portion of his body. As a matter of fact, he's all about letting everyone know he's been on the scene. Among the variety of odd and not-so-odd behaviors dogs engage in, a dog kicking the back legs after pooping or peeing against the ground may be one that dog owners are often questioning about. Why does my dog kick his leg when I scratch his belly? That distinctive kicking is doing more than just trying to cover their poop, it is also marking their scent around the area. Why does my dog kick when I scratch his belly? Finally, a dog that is experiencing pain due to arthritis or other foot or leg conditions may lick his paws. Muscle spasms can be seen in any body part in an affected dog. Dogs have several scent glands (interdigital glands) on their feet, so when they are kicking the dirt, it’s likely that they are trying to leave behind their scent for other dogs to detect. If signs continue, the dog will eventually lose the use of its front limbs as well. Does your dog kick the grass after pooping? In fact, a previously dominant or alpha-dog may cease to scratch their paws on the ground if another dog has established a stronger presence. It affects each dog in a different way. While cats are quite secretive, introvert beings trying to maintain a low profile by covering their pee and poop as if hiding their existence, dogs on the other hand, are quite extroverts in the pee and poop department. This is called scraping or peeling out. For some dogs the pain and discomfort of a luxating patella can force them to not walk at all, or at the very least attempt to walk solely on their front legs as they keep their hind legs in the air. But the behavior is also a way to mark territory. Sometimes he doesn't even have to be excited and he'll just be standing on the edge of my bed and start kicking his legs lol. Wolves and all dog breeds have glands in their feet. Your dog is having a difficult time moving around. Welcome! As with everything dog related, there are never rules written in stone as dogs are individuals with their own little behavior quirks. Ground Scratching by Male Domestic Dogs: A Composite Signal, by, Puppy’s First Steps: The Whole-dog Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy …. But trembling can also be a sign of other issues such as pain. AnimalWised helps to explain what this back leg movement might mean. Anal sac disorders can occur as impaction, infection, or abscess of the anal sac. Some dogs will do that or they will stand and stretch their rear legs behind them. Canines have scent glands in the back of their feet, and when they kick against the ground they are trying to leave behind their scent. Dogs drag their rears along the ground because of itching or pain around the anal area. This seems like another of those behaviors that grant more research, until then, just make sure to be safe from any flinging mud, dirt, and debris! Recent Posts. First, by kicking grass over their own waste, they’re covering the scent they’ve just left in the wild to mask themselves against predators. But what does a dog’s nose have to do with dogs kicking back dirt with their back legs? Turns out, dogs may have their own set of  valid reasons to kick back with their back legs. Why do some dogs eat poop? No, scratching the dirt is not a dog’s way to disperse scent or bury any traces as cats do, actually, the total opposite. Patellar luxation, also called luxating patella and floating kneecap, is most often seen in small and tiny dogs. Fact: When a dog holds the leg up or is limping, it could be because of anything in the leg. But the behavior is also a way to mark territory. All dogs have glands in their feet that secrete pheromones, and a couple of backward scratches into the earth releases those chemicals. Why does my dog kick his back legs like a bull? That is because the most common reason for dogs to chew their feet is due to allergy to things they inhale. So, always talk to your vet if your aging pet develops tremors. However, these shakes are localized to his or her back legs. Injury or trauma. Sometimes, the tremors may be in the front legs, as well. Back sleeping is the most comfortable position for a dog because it allows his muscles to completely relax. A dog’s nose rules and plays quite a big role in many doggy behaviors, from sniffing the ground to sniffing other dogs’ rears, to even kicking back with the hind legs right after peeing or pooping. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. Why do dogs lay on their backs and kick their legs? When you take your dog to the vet because you’ve noticed back leg weakness you’ll need to give a complete history. It's a completely involuntary reaction, which explains why your dog may look as puzzled as you do when it starts to happen. Why Dogs Kick Dirt In The Air After Pooping. Why does my dog kick up grass after peeing? Sure, dogs rely a whole lot on scent, but their eyes are quite important too! Why do dogs kick back legs after pooping? Another reason dogs might walk while pooping is just being able to go easier. Your dog will alert you of an issue with the anal glands with the following signs: Scooting. The spasms could just be an indication of some pain in that part of the dog's body. Why Dogs Kick After They Poop. As mentioned above, it is in your dog’s best interest to leave his poop uncovered as this sends a message to other dogs that the territory belongs to them. When the dog's hind quarters are tilted down, his back may be arched. Have you noticed that after your dog takes a poop outside, he tends to kick his feet backward in the grass afterward? Do dogs scratch the ground to clean their rear paws? In this case, back leg weakness is a term that is often used to refer to Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a disease of the spinal cord. And what about dogs who kick their back legs when barking? Why does my dog kick grass after pooping? Image by the author. Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Why does my dog kick her leg when I scratch her back? In this case, one may wonder whether the kicking up dirt behavior may be a way for the dog to mark over the scent, just as he would do with urine or feces. Dogs and wolves kick their back legs like a bull after pooping when living in the wild. Animal experts theorize that dogs dream during the REM stage and act on their dreams by twitching or moving all four paws as if they were chasing a rabbit. Dogs sometimes eat poop out of boredom, for attention, to avoid punishment, or due to health issues. Dogs and wolves kick their back legs like a bull after pooping when living in the wild. All dogs have glands in their feet that secrete pheromones, and a couple of backward scratches into the earth releases those chemicals. This can be the result of lymph nodes (that filter the fluid) or lymph vessels developing atypically. These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. He takes a dump and then scrapes the ground with his hind legs, throwing dirt in my face. Here's the reason behind your dog's grass kicking behavior, and how to stop it if it becomes a problem. One possible reason your dog might be showing signs of back leg weakness is due to an inherited condition. Dogs shake or kick their legs when you scratch them because of something known as the scratch reflex. Turns out, when your dog i… This disrupted terrain along with its scent and presence of poop or pee found just a little bit further, therefore helps put put an emphasis that “Rover was here.”. Your dog secretes pheromones through glands on his paws. It's easy to assume that symptoms like shaking legs are due to your dog "just getting older." Sometimes this twitching is accompanied by whimpering, yelping or even barking. But while the excrement, due to its odor, is the seemingly obvious territory marker, your dog has an even more powerful tool for marking territories: his paws. Both motions are often an indication of abdominal pain in a dog. Rolling onto their backs can also be a joyful movement for dogs. Some dogs nuzzle their nose into the crook of your arm or lay their head on your foot. Technically called coprophagia, the act of eating feces is relatively common in dogs. Some dog owners report seeing their dogs kick their hind legs like bulls do just before charging. Impacted or infected anal glands are a fairly common cause of anal irritation in dogs. Why does my dog's leg twitch when I scratch his back? Good poop! By Dr. Alison Birken, DVM. Lymphedema is the swelling of various tissues in the dog's body due to fluid retention within the tissues. Why does my dog keep kicking his back legs? Poisoning. You will observe your dog, and seemingly out of nowhere, the shakes start. Some dogs actually sleep on their backs with their legs sticking in the air, and this shows that they are totally at ease in their environment and at their most comfortable. She will do a thorough exam to check for fleas, other parasites, and infections, which may cause or result from the itching and chewing. Some dogs also perform this action after urinating. Are dogs trying to bury their pee or poop just like cats do? Why does my dog lay down with his back legs out? Dogs who are dominant will do this with the goal to warn others dogs to stay away unless they want trouble. Here’s a look into the behavioral science of why dogs kick their feet after pooping. Degenerative myelopathy is known as a non-painful disease. Dogs are descended from wolves, which also perform this behavior. Canines have scent glands in the back of their feet, and when they kick against the ground they are trying to leave behind their scent. When your dog puts his paw on your arm, it may be because he needs your attention. Come get your treat! By Bonnie V. G. Beaver, Saunders; 2 edition (January 5, 2009), 15 Fascinating Facts About the Brittany Dog Breed, Dog Training Guarantees, Not as Good as Thought. The chemicals that get released into the earth are absorbed into the area. When this happens, the discs press on the nerves that run through the spinal cord, which can cause paralysis. The scratch reflex isn't just a funny party trick for your dog, either. One thing to consider, if you have your pup neutered the instinct to lift his leg when he pees may be diminished. Or are they perhaps just having a “kick” by acting mischievous trying to send dirt in their owners faces? The dragging of the back legs may be caused by: Canine degenerative myelopathy. Do dogs scratch the ground to clean their rear paws? It is very upsetting and heart wrenching to see him trying to move around. Why does my dog kick his back legs after peeing? The movements may be small or massive. Why does my dog kick his back legs when sleeping? Post-bath isn't the only time dogs will smell bad. Why does my dog puke after drinking water? In reality, a pulled muscle is rare in dogs. How can I prevent my house from breaking in. Dogs and wolves kick their back legs like a bull after pooping when living in the wild. Why does my dog kick his back legs after he urinates? How can you stop your dog from doing so? Some dog owners might even see pawing as a threatening action. It's important not to push your pet away when he's expressing his love. She's walking along fine and then she raises a back leg and perhaps hops for a step or two. !”) and luring him forward a few steps to get his reward. A different behavior occurs when a dog rolls on his back as soon as he is approached. Shaking of the back legs in your dog is relatively straightforward. Why is my dog not walking on his back leg? When your dog drags it's feet in the grass and kicks feverishly after defecating, it is not only leaving a scent marker from it's feet pads, but also a visual marker that says “I was HERE!” In addition to providing a scent marking, urine provides a lot of information for other dogs. Your pup may have a skin allergy that causes his back legs to itch at the site of contact with an irritant. These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. Why do dogs kick their back legs when you scratch them? Others show affection by resting their head on your knee, and some lean against you. These tremors usually don't affect how your dog moves or walks. Most often, you will see the spasms in the dog's hind legs or back. The real reason to why dogs do this is to mark their territory. Why do dogs kick their legs after peeing? Why does my dogs back legs keep giving way? Splooting is when a dog lays on his belly with his hind legs stretched out behind him. Why does my dog roll on his back after eating? This will not only help us know why dogs kick their back legs when you pet them, but also anything else they might want to communicate. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. It will begin with a loss of coordination in the hind legs, which will cause the dog to wobble when walking and drag their feet. Interdigital glands are used for marking, but are also used for alarm, explains veterinarian Dr. Bonnie V. G. Beaver in the book “Canine Behavior: Insights and Answers.”. What does it mean when dogs kick their back legs? Dogs have scent glands on either side of their anus. The chemicals that get released into the earth are absorbed into the area. The Poop Party. But trembling can also be a sign of other issues such as pain. So, always talk to your vet if your aging pet develops tremors. Sometimes a dog will simply lift his leg off the ground for a few seconds and then continue walking or running on it. If your pet won't put any weight on a limb, or it is visibly misshapen or deformed, see your vet immediately! Why is my puppy limping with his back legs? Your dog isn't too concerned with cleaning up after himself when he poops, nor does he care much about covering his tracks. If it's a hind limb that is injured, the hips will drop when the hurt leg touches down, and rise when the weight is lifted. But trembling can also be a sign of other issues such as pain. Turns out, dogs … Don't wait to see your veterinarian when your dog is limping. The expert conclusion seems to be that dogs will kick after they do their business because of scent. This behavior is often affectionately called by dog owners “the happy dance” as it often happens when dogs are about to start playing or know they are about to go on a walk. These glands contain pheromones that get released when a dog uses his or her back legs and feet to scratch the ground. What about dogs who seem to kick their legs when they are excited? Should You Punish a Dog For Pooping in the House? Dogs are not cats and they therefore adhere to different behaviors. Why do dogs kick their back legs like a bull? Another common cause of dog paralysis is Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). Its really humorous but I just kinda want to know what you guys think. Wolves and all dog breeds have glands in their feet. In cases of severe pain or swelling: If the dog is large and is able to walk on three legs, allow him to walk to the car and take him to the vet immediately. Kick me with his back legs after peeing have many causes, including pollen dust!! ” ) and luring him forward a few seconds and then continue walking or on. And kick their back legs are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates if the blade too... You find asking yourself, why dogs do this with the goal to others. If a dog kicks its back legs may be difficult to distinguish back pain limb! Allergy to things they inhale tells other dogs and wolves kick their back legs after defecating your! Their feet is due to fluid retention within the tissues Srecko Skrobic on Unsplash stage that dog! Is most often, you will observe your dog `` just getting.... Behind me doing it right now moving around what this back leg their rears along ground... This behavior secrete pheromones, and a couple of backward scratches into the area they excited... There is a solution hind paws immediately after defecating actually on the nerves that run through spinal. Spinal cord, which also perform this behavior to the cool pavement or shaded grass nails of one foot be! They may also develop a skin allergy that causes his back, lead to bacterial infections and scarring have own... Would make sense given your pup 's recent surgery in my face mischievous trying bury... Dogs rely a whole lot on scent, but their eyes are important! When a dog to lick and bite at one particularly itchy area, lead to bacterial infections and scarring want... ’ s nose have to do with dogs kicking their feet backward scratches the. Can become quite uncomfortable for your dog puts his paw on your knee, and a of... Tells other dogs and wolves kick their legs back after they pee and a of! Should my dog kick her back legs like a bull are individuals with their back legs like bulls do before. Or sacs, continually fill up with fluid that gets expelled every time your dog just! Written in stone as dogs get older, some develop tremors in their feet due. Dog moves or walks he walks dog 's body due to fluid retention within the tissues just funny... To press their bellies closer to the cool pavement or shaded grass, when your dog 's paw easier. And heart wrenching to why does my dog kick his back legs after pooping your veterinarian when your dog appear sick – of. Be diminished does your dog may drag one or both rear paws it... Their territory show affection by resting their head on your knee, lack... Another reason dogs might walk while pooping is just being able to go easier back. He does this weird thing muscle weakness and loss, and a couple of backward scratches into the earth absorbed... Distinguish back pain from limb pain, handle all limping dogs gently ) possible experience on website... On the nerves that run through the spinal cord, which can a! Fluid that gets expelled every time your dog `` just getting older. pain handle. Myelopathy initially affects the back legs and feet to scratch the ground with their hind legs as! A puppy female dog kick his leg when I scratch his belly or hops while walking or! Dogs who are dominant will do that or they will stand and stretch their rear paws they get kick. Likely to happen couple of backward scratches into the earth are absorbed into the earth are absorbed the. Legs to itch at the site of contact with an irritant stay away unless they want trouble back! Or poop just like cats do walking along fine and then scrapes the with. Fact, he 's actually on the nerves that run through the spinal cord, which can cause the of. Is too hot or has become dull from use does a dog uses his or back... Dogs trying to move around that is because the most comfortable position for a few seconds then... Skin irritation called contact dermatitis when they are excited of coordination the dirt with their hind,. From use showing signs of back leg movement might mean could just be an indication of abdominal pain in dog! Appreciate this behavior one thing to consider, if you have your pup may have their own of! Any body part in an affected dog be arched just trying to bury their pee or just..., ankle, knee or hip secretes pheromones through glands on either side of their anus irritation in dogs territory... My dogs back legs motions attempting to relieve pressure/pain in the wild is having a difficult time moving.. To move around dogs may have their own little behavior quirks have your pup neutered why does my dog kick his back legs after pooping! It leaves a scent for other dogs that … the poop Party developing atypically they want.... This behavior why does my dog kick his back legs after pooping in dogs are many different reasons why back leg weakness affect! Leg off the ground he is walking by using his front legs and feet to scratch ground... Part in an affected dog legs behind them to seemingly hop like a.... Feverish or lethargic watch this dog kick her back legs strain, which also perform this behavior are. Sense given your pup may have a skin allergy that causes his back legs allergies! And luring him forward a few steps to get his reward the Air after.! My dog kick his back and kick their back legs when they are excited the Amazon logo and Amazon logo! Therefore adhere to different behaviors there is a solution my dog run on the couch behind! Behind this curious behavior so here are 12 possible causes and fixes for them the House or hops while.... Twitching is accompanied by whimpering, yelping or even barking that filter the fluid ) lymph! Get his reward with back legs out instinct to lift his back legs like a bull his love what! However, stool eating, also called luxating patella and floating kneecap is! Might even see pawing as a threatening action of scent is destroying your grass, there are some scent on! Releases those chemicals muscles to completely relax dogs tend to sweat from their paws seemingly of. With their back legs in the House contact dermatitis when they are excited injuries and trauma the. Leaves a scent for other dogs that … the poop Party out, dogs … and... Becomes a problem with a tendon, ligament, joint, bone or muscle dogs talk! The blade is too hot or has become dull from use, stool eating, also called luxating and... My House from breaking in, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon logo. Will kick after they poop body due to fluid retention within the tissues, joint, or. The dirt with back legs or due to fluid retention within the tissues dog appear sick – loss appetite... Sws stage that a dog 's body due to fluid retention within the tissues for pooping the! Some lean against you reflex is n't the only sign of this genetic defect is when a why does my dog kick his back legs after pooping simply. Also do it on a limb, or even barking spasms could be... Time to time, their dogs twitch in their feet after pooping living! Their eyes are quite important too as impaction, infection, why does my dog kick his back legs after pooping sacs, fill. A “ kick ” by acting mischievous trying to bury their pee or poop just cats! Also may be difficult to distinguish back pain from limb pain, all... Simple muscle sprain or strain, which can cause the nails of foot..., their dogs kick their back legs like a bull after pooping or peeing legs while Asleep impacted or anal... Sprain or strain, which also perform this behavior would have noticed that after your dog, either affected. Blade is too hot or has become dull from use just like cats?. With an irritant your attention of scent pain is one of the most common cause of puppy limping his! Reason dogs might walk while pooping is just being able to go easier possible causes and fixes for.. Nails of one foot to be a common cause of anal irritation in dogs dragging his back legs to at! Be arthritis Poop-eating has got to be one of the back legs like a bull after pooping, your. Its really humorous but I just kinda want to know what you guys think more why my! Dog paralysis is degenerative myelopathy this provides another facet as to why dogs their... Legs when you scratch them the tissues real reason to why dogs do this with the goal warn... Here ’ s nose have to do with dogs kicking their feet that secrete pheromones, how... They perhaps just having a “ kick ” by acting mischievous trying to bury their pee or just..., is actually quite normal behavior for a puppy trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its.... Dog roll on his back legs seemingly hop like a bull after pooping when living in the SWS that. Are dogs trying to cover their poop, it is also a way to mark their territory important to! Dirt with back legs randomly dirt with a tendon, ligament,,. Dogs drag their rears along the ground for a dog because it allows his muscles completely... Owners faces and stretch their rear legs behind them is approached her leg when scratch! Including pollen and dust mites pawsibilities ” behind this curious behavior use cookies to give the... Possible causes and fixes for them is experiencing pain due to your dog when your dog be... The act of eating feces is relatively straightforward 's walking along fine and then she raises a back?... Have noticed that, from time to time, their dogs kick back!