[94Magna_Tom]

I'm wondering if this is a Poodle thing, or an Elroy thing.
Does your Poodle scratch the ground after pooping (or otherwise)? Elroy never does. This was an unexpected behavioral plus for us😁.

 

[Looniesense]

Mine doesn’t scratch the ground either. He just poops in the weirdest places. His favourite is backing up under a pine tree and pooping on a low branch followed by me trying to bag it. He also sometimes backs up on a chain link fence so it ends up on both sides of the fence Ugh.... I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I had a yard as he never goes in the middle of the grass he’s always trying to get it as close to, or on, a tree trunk or under a bush LOL

 

[Wooster Tim]

Not very often, but they have done it.

 

[TeamHellhound]

I've not noticed Simon scratch marking after peeing or pooping, but my APBT Lily does.

 

[Starla]

My JRT did every single time, joyously! Phoebe does not scratch, but always thoroughly smells her deposit, then turns away with disgust, every time. 🤣

 

[Dianaleez]

Yep, Normie scratches with his back feet while I bag the product.

 

[Skylar]

Neither of my minipoos do, so I voted No. However Babykins often does after she pees. It's annoying because Theo likes to sniff her pee and pee mark over it - and I have to keep him out of the path of grass and debris she kicks up.

 

[Puppy Love]

Wally never did until after spending a lot of time around another dog that did. Now at 6 yrs, he has just started doing it. It's not an every-single-time thing but more of an on-a-walk and another dog has been here thing. It's really comical he doesn't just scratch but kind of hops up in the air as he does it. Maybe one of these days I'll be quick enough to catch it on video.

 

[94Magna_Tom]

I guess it's an Elroy thing then. He's never once done it. In my head, I was convincing myself it was a Poodle thing. Not! I hope he doesn't ever pick up the habit though🤞.

 

[Happy'sDad]

My JRT did every single time, joyously! Phoebe does not scratch, but always thoroughly smells her deposit, then turns away with disgust, every time. 🤣

My female JRT did it. My male did not. She also marked everything during our walks.

I have not witnessed Happy post poop scratching.

 

[babyscout]

My female JRT /poodle mix did but only after she learned from other dogs. My female tpoo has since she was little. My boy tpoo does not.

 

[ShamrockPoodle]

Both Toula and Toffee do this frequently!!! I’m sure it’s a natural instinct to cover a scent—but the hilarious thing is they will sometimes go through the whole exaggerated ritual about 10 feet away from where they went to the potty!!! I think it’s kind of funny 😆

 

[Apricot mini momma]

Beau will scratch sometimes, I always try to figure out why it's sometimes. Every time tho he is so happy after having pooped and just wants to run. Our lab did it too.

 

[94Magna_Tom]

Both Toula and Toffee do this frequently!!! I’m sure it’s a natural instinct to cover a scent—but the hilarious thing is they will sometimes go through the whole exaggerated ritual about 10 feet away from where they went to the potty!!! I think it’s kind of funny 😆

I read somewhere that it's a "visual" form of marking. Not really trying to cover anything.

 

[Rose n Poos]

Remo-yes (and covers his brother with the shredding's if he's too close lol)
Neo-no

I think I remember something about leaving scent thru their foot pads.

 

[Dechi]

Beckie does it after peeing, but only on out walks, never in our yard. She likes to mark a lot and spread her scent around !

 

[Tulsi]

Yep Rusty scent marks with his pads after wees or poos!

 

[Kukla the Tpoo]

My mpoo never did. Well, actually he suddenly did a couple of times when he was around 7-8 years old. Then never did it again!

Kukla frequently does, but I try to discourage it by asking for a sit.

Dog's have scent glands in their paws. Here's an article that explains the scratching behavior:

Why Does My Dog Kick The Grass After Pooping? – American Kennel Club

Does your dog kick the grass after pooping? Here's the reason behind your dog's grass kicking behavior, and how to stop it if it becomes a problem.

www.akc.org

 

[BennieJets]

Wow I had no idea about the pheromones— that article was interesting. Bennie does it on occasion but it’s usually just in our yard. I try to encourage elimination before we go for our walk... of course I carry poop bags because sometimes they’re still needed. I don’t think I’ll discourage it. It’s not frequent or incessant.

 

[94Magna_Tom]

Well here we are. I spoke too soon. Elroy is 23 month old now and he has just started scratching after pee marking. Earlier this week he gave a single scratch after peeing. It's now becoming more frequent every day. Still not scratching most times, but I'd say probably 3-4 times today. One scratch with each hind foot now. Not enough effort to make a significant divit. I'm hoping it doesn't progress to much more as I really don't want him damaging lawns.