Why Does My Dog Walk and Poop? 11 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
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View 1 More +Most dog owners have been there: you’re out for a walk with your dog, and they decide to take a poop while walking, leaving you to pick up the trail of poop. Have you ever wondered why dogs walk and poop in the first place? If so, you’ve come to the right spot.
In this article, we’ll look at possible reasons why your dog walks and poops simultaneously. Some reasons are innocent, while others could signal a medical issue.
Why Does My Dog Walk and Poop? 11 Reasons
1. Marking their territory
Believe it or not, dogs leave behind a scent when they go number two. Anal glands are located on each side of the rectum at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. When a dog poops, some of the musty smell from the anal glands deposit with it. Leaving this scent conveys your dog's identity to other dogs, such as their sex, age, and even their health.
2. Constipation
Constipation is no fun and doesn’t just happen to humans; dogs can get constipated, too. If your dog is walking and pooping simultaneously, it could mean he’s trying to get the poop to excrete. Sometimes the maneuvering of walking can make the poop slide out easier. If your dog has diarrhea, it may leak out while walking, too.
3. Excitement
Most dog owners have dealt with their dog peeing while excited, but it can happen with their bowels, too. Having a bowel movement while walking is usually associated with puppies because they cannot control their emotions, but it’s been known to happen with adult dogs, too. If this is a problem, try to remedy the situation by taking them outside to release their bowels before an exciting event, such as having company or going for a ride.
4. Movement Moves Bowels Easier
Sometimes, dogs may need a little extra help making their bowels work smoothly. Walking can make the poop slide out, therefore, resulting in an easier poop.
The movement also contracts the muscles around the anus and helps with releasing the scent from the anal glands, as we mentioned above. Dogs love to mark their territory, and bowel movements are another way to achieve the task.
5. Anxiety
If you’re walking your dog in an unfamiliar area, such as a new neighborhood or visiting a new dog park, your dog may poop and walk because he’s anxious about his surroundings. If nature calls, the poop is coming, but that doesn’t mean your dog will be content to squat and let it fly. In this type of situation, your dog may want to take care of business quickly to get to a comfortable area or space.
6. Stuck Poop
Grass, sticks, and hair can cause poop to get stuck. Dogs will eat grass if they have an upset tummy, and if your dog is eating grass, you’ll want to assess why he’s eating grass. Sticks seem fun to chew, but they can pose a problem, especially with your dog’s digestive tract, and you shouldn’t let your dog chew them. Self-grooming can also cause hair buildup that can back your friend up a bit.
7. Muscle Pain
If your dog has hip issues or muscle soreness, squatting to release the bowels can be a painful and unpleasant experience. They may realize that walking and pooping is much easier and pain-free. Older and larger dogs tend to develop hip dysplasia, a painful hip joint condition. If you suspect your dog has hip problems, a trip to your veterinarian is warranted.
8. Bad Habits
Bad habits are hard to break, which also applies to our canine babies. Puppies get excited at the littlest things, and a bowel movement may occur when that happens. Sometimes, this event can carry on into adulthood if not addressed. With a little training, you can teach your dog where to potty so they know to get to the designated area before letting it fly.
9. Alerting to Danger
Dogs communicate with each other through smells and, you guessed it, their poop. A dog may walk and poop if he’s picking up on a predator that is nearby or has been nearby. By pooping to release the scent from the anal glands, it can alert another dog to be on the lookout. Who would have thought?
10. Lack of Bowel Control
There may be times when your dog cannot control when he has a bowel movement, and that includes while walking. If your dog has an upset tummy, he may not have the ability to control when the poop flows. Some common reasons are poor diet, parasites, or some other illness. If the poop is runny, or if you suspect your dog has an illness, have your vet examine him to ensure nothing medical is going on.
11. Diet
One of the most important responsibilities as a dog parent is to ensure you’re feeding healthy, high-quality dog food. Avoid unnecessary, cheap fillers, and ensure artificial preservatives are excellent ways to keep your dog's bowel habits running smoothly. Pet owners have many options when it comes to dog food, and the cleaner the food, the better for your dog’s health.
How to Remedy the Behavior
Most times, if your dog is walking and pooping at the same time, there’s no cause for alarm. The only time to be concerned is if you suspect a medical problem. If that’s the case, your vet can assess the situation.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our 11 possible reasons why your dog poops and walks. Dogs are funny creatures. So walking and pooping may be a normal occurrence. If it annoys you, try a little bit of training. But if you suspect a medical issue, take them to your vet to determine the possible cause.
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Featured Image Credit: Wasitt Hemwarapornchai, Shutterstock
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Rachel Giordano is a writer and musician living in Pensacola, Florida, with her partner and their two dogs, Aero, a Border Collie/Sheltie mix and Sophie, a Boston Terrier. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and loves writing about animals of all types. When she’s not writing about pets, she loves to write suspense/thriller novels. A musician by night and writer by day, she enjoys educating the public about the needs and requirements of animals, big and small.
