Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?: 101 of the Most Perplexing Questions Answered About Canine Conundrums, Medical Mysteries & Befuddling Behaviors - Softcover

Why does my dog take so long to poop?

Who hasn't waited impatiently in the worst of weather and for the dog to sniff, sniff, then sniff some more before dropping a load for all to see, smell or, unfortunately, sometimes step in. (Of course, we recommend that you stoop to scoop!)

While checking the "pee-mail" is an important form of communication for dogs, the deliberations involved in dropping the big loads doesn't seem to make as much senseùto us, at least. But feces are a much more visible territory marker than urine. A dog might well want to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of planting a fecal flag in some other dog's territory. Obviously, this is a decision that requires careful thought.

In some dogs, delaying is learned behavior. They've figured out that as soon as they're done, the outing's overùso they'll delay as long as possible. Give your dog a little extra walking time, perhaps with a fun game thrown in, and she won't feel it's so urgent to carefully schedule her poop.

Is the whole Rockettes leg-lift thing really necessary?

It is to a dog. Better to put your scent mark at nose level, where other dogs can smell it and the breeze can more easily disseminate it. That's why dogs (mostly male, but even some females) contort themselves into precariously balanced tripods to get their urine-squirters into position to splash their pee as high as possible.

Of course, some males never really do get into it, especially if they're neutered. But the most precocious males start lifting a leg at four months of age.

For the most dedicated leg-lifters, the act can get pretty amusing when the dog is one of those small ones with a big attitude. While your average Irish Wolfhound can land the highest squirt with very little effort, if you're a bossy little Irish Terrier, you're going to have to try harderùa lot harder. Some small dogs get that hose up so high in an effort to top some taller dog's mark that they're practically doing a front-paw stand.