How do dogs choose where they relieve themselves?

Have you ever had that "quick" walk with your dog that seems to drag on forever? Of course, we all do. Every dog ​​owner has waited at least 37 times in their life for their dog to finally get around to doing their business.

This happened to me a few days ago, and now I know why!

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Here's what happened...

I had just gotten home after a few hours away, and naturally, my dog, Westin, was eager to go outside to relieve himself. Of course, going for a walk with him was my priority as soon as I got home.

But I also had a whole list of things to do... Lots of other things to do.

It was clear to me that after a short 10-minute walk, I would then have time to devote to my other tasks. Dinner, family, work... I would probably have to stay up very late to get everything done, but what else could I do? Everything had to be done. I accepted the schedule as long as everything went as planned.

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But that day, Westin had other plans!

As soon as we walked in the door, my dog ​​was distracted by the neighbor's cat. She seemed to love the attention, as she stayed there, just out of Westin's reach. I've always admired the relationship between cats and dogs...

I was willing to let him play, but the to-do list still nagged at me.

So we continued...

And we finally arrived at his usual "little spot." This is where he stops to relieve himself almost every night. But tonight was definitely not like any other night. Maybe it was the phase of the Moon? Or a special tilt of the Earth that made this little spot different today?

Either way, this little corner was no longer serving its purpose. Westin really didn't want to relieve himself here tonight.

So we continued...

In total, the walk lasted 20 minutes before Westin finally managed to relieve himself. It was twice as long as a normal walk, and I wondered why.

How do dogs choose where to go? This question might seem silly or pointless, but I thought that by finding the answer, I could help Westin find his little corner much faster.

So I did some research, and here's what I found...

Instinct plays an important role in this.

Eliminating waste fulfills a physiological and social need. Yes, it's a necessary biological function, but it's also much more than that. Every time your dog relieves itself, it's sending a message. In the wild, wolves will leave what's called scent marking. This means they leave feces and other marks to say this is their territory. In short: "Outside, I'm here!" Domestic dogs may have retained some of this territorial instinct. More often, however, their needs are simply calling cards. On a walk, your dog can learn how many dogs are in a particular area, whether they're male or female, and what those dogs have been eating, just by smell. It's incredible when you think about it! Your dog uses 300 million olfactory receptors to decipher these scents. Sometimes the smell of another dog's poop can be enough to cause your dog to go to the bathroom.

Every dog ​​is different

The reason your dog avoids one place to focus on another may be different from Westin's, but there are some commonly accepted theories. It can also vary depending on your dog's mood. But if you know all the possible reasons, you can then determine what's going on in your dog's mind at that moment.

Habit is the key

When it comes to case number one, dogs aren't as picky. In fact, they're more likely to mark a spot that's new, to let other animals know they've been there. Things are a little different in case number two. Most dogs like to feel comfortable and relaxed before they relieve themselves. You'll know this is true if you have a dog that's reluctant to relieve itself on vacation, for example. And it's also why dogs like Westin tend to relieve themselves in their favorite "little corner." They feel right at home there. Melissa Bain of UC Davis's School of Medicine tells us that dogs decide their surface preferences from a young age.

If you want your dog to find his or her spot quickly, avoid unfamiliar spots during your walk. Always go through familiar spots to give him or her a chance to relieve himself or herself. If he or she is choosy, then consider moving to a less familiar area. Then, return to his or her favorite spot.

The quality of the toilet makes the difference

And yes, a clean toilet is important to us. So obviously, it's just as important for our dogs! Dogs tend to like lush grass, too. If your dog's favorite spot gets a little dry and thorny, then it's normal for them to not want to go there anymore. Think about how you feel when you walk into a dirty toilet... You just want to get out as quickly as possible, right? Same goes for dogs with uncomfortable grass. Also, remember that every dog ​​is different. Your dog may also prefer to do their business on concrete, gravel, or thorny grass. If you know your dog's preferences, then make sure there are these kinds of options throughout your walk.

Dogs experience performance anxiety too!

When Westin got distracted by the cat at the beginning of our walk, he may have shifted his focus. Instead of focusing on going to the bathroom, he started thinking about how to get closer to the cat. Imagine his surprise when he found himself at her litter box when he wasn't ready. If he gets distracted, consider returning to your dog's litter box on the way back. After seeing it the first time, your dog will start thinking about it again. He'll just need a little time to go. So go for your walk, then immediately return your dog to his litter box.

Note on digestion

Generally, the reasons I mentioned above are enough to explain these kinds of situations where your dog can't relieve itself as usual. However, sometimes these small delays are caused by constipation or poor digestion. If you've tried everything but your dog still isn't doing its business... Or if it's visibly struggling to do its business... Then it may be constipated. This is what happens to Westin from time to time. In this case, simply add the Constipation product to your dog's daily diet. And if you think your dog has digestive problems, don't hesitate to contact us. We can recommend a diet designed to solve digestive problems, for a healthy dog.