Why Do Dogs Kick the Grass After Pooping?

The Curious Case of the Grass Kick

You’ve seen it happen: your dog finishes doing their business, takes a few steps forward, and then suddenly starts forcefully kicking their back legs into the ground like they’re clearing a path—or trying to summon a spirit from the soil. It's dramatic, sometimes messy, and always puzzling.

But don’t worry. This behavior isn’t bad, and it certainly isn’t random. In fact, it’s one of the most instinctive things your dog does—and it tells us a lot about how their wild ancestors lived and communicated.

The Real Reason: Scent Marking

Dogs experience the world primarily through scent. You’ve probably noticed your dog sniffing endlessly on walks, at fire hydrants, or around other animals. Scent is how dogs read their environment—and also how they write messages for other dogs.

When a dog kicks at the ground after pooping, they’re not just being quirky. They’re engaging in a type of scent marking.

This behavior is known as "ground scratching," and it serves a purpose: spreading their scent as a signal to other animals. Dogs have scent glands between the pads of their paws. As they rake the ground, they’re leaving behind those scents in the soil and grass.

In combination with their poop (another form of marking), it’s like adding punctuation to their message: “I was here, and this is my spot.”

Instinct from the Wild

This behavior goes back thousands of years and can still be observed in wild canids like wolves, foxes, and coyotes. In the wild, scent marking helps establish territory, prevent conflicts, and provide information about age, sex, and status to other members of the pack or rival animals.

Even though your dog may sleep on a plush bed and eat out of a personalized bowl, those deep ancestral instincts still influence their everyday behavior—including the poop-kick.

Why Do Some Dogs Kick More Than Others?

Not all dogs are equally enthusiastic ground-scratchers. Some dogs may kick after every bathroom trip, while others rarely do it. There are a few reasons for the difference:

• Breed: Dogs with stronger territorial instincts—like Huskies, Shepherds, and Terriers—may be more likely to kick than others.
• Personality: More dominant or confident dogs may be more prone to scent-marking behaviors than timid or submissive ones.
• Environment: Dogs that live in multi-dog households or areas where other dogs frequent (like parks) may feel more compelled to leave their mark.

Is My Dog Trying to Cover Something Up?

That’s a common misconception—especially among people who are more familiar with cats, who do try to cover up their waste. But dogs? They’re doing the opposite.

Instead of hiding evidence, dogs are amplifying it. They’re not ashamed of their poop—they’re using it as a billboard. The kicking adds an extra layer of scent from their paw pads and visually disturbs the ground to draw even more attention to the area.

Could This Behavior Be a Problem?

In most cases, no. Grass kicking after pooping is a normal and harmless behavior. But there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Surface type: Dogs can get a little carried away on concrete or rough terrain, which can lead to scrapes or paw pad injuries.
• Obsessive behavior: If your dog kicks excessively, even when they haven’t gone potty, or seems agitated or anxious, it may be worth talking to your vet or a behaviorist.
• Injury risks: If your dog is older or has joint issues, repeated kicking could aggravate discomfort—though this is rare and usually self-limiting.

But again, for most healthy dogs, this is just one of those charming, instinctual behaviors you don’t need to worry about.

What You Can Do About It

If you don’t mind a little landscaping, let your dog enjoy their post-potty ritual. But if you’re tired of kicked-up dirt patches in your lawn, here are a few tips:

• Redirect: As soon as your dog finishes, use a gentle leash tug or verbal cue to move them forward before the kicking starts.
• Designated potty zones: Train your dog to go in one area of the yard where you don’t mind a little digging or scratching.
• Protect paws: If the ground is rough or your dog tends to overdo it, consider using protective booties on walks.

Final Thoughts: Let Them Be Dogs

It might look strange, but your dog’s poop-kicking is perfectly normal—and actually pretty fascinating when you understand what’s going on. It’s a window into their instincts, their biology, and their connection to wild ancestors.

So the next time your pup unleashes a flurry of back-leg kicks after doing their business, just smile. They're not being dramatic—they’re just being a dog.