2006-10-05 01:54:55 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
It helps mark their territory the gland in the foot pads help to leave a scent. If the dog is more Territorial you will notice that He/she will do it longer and more often than one that isn't so territorial or if the dog is very submissive they wont 'wipe their feet' at all.
2006-10-05 02:50:56 · answer #1 · answered by Mäŋđŷ Můғғїŋ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things about Dogs' rear ends...scent, scent and scent.
Pads have glands, we 've established that b/c so many ppl have already mentioned it.
Yes, they are marking their territory. They do it every time they walk around the same perrimeter of property where they live at, and moreso if they are at a public place, their senses get overloaded and excited, whether it be after Urinating or Defacating...it occurs with an Alpha Male as well as Alpha Females.
Another organ that is used for identification of stool, is anal sacs.
Located on either side of the anus, they emit a chemical that attaches to the stool, sort of a calling card so to speak, hence the reason many dogs insitctively go sniff others dogs excrement.
The chemical shows gender, in heat/or not, age, alpha/or not....etc...
Some Anal Sacs become clogged, if their stool is watery and or they are fed human food, then they start "scooting" on the ground.
You can clear them out yourself, or have a Vet do it. These Sacs are meant to filter and catch certain fluids from excrement, and at times get filled. If a dog scoots, they can empty them themselves, but when not, feel for pea sized lumps on either side of the anus (yes, wear gloves while bathing is best) and squeeze gently.
2006-10-05 05:50:21 · answer #2 · answered by TexasKitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only one of these answers was right at all..Dogs have scent glands in their feet which they use to mark their territory and let other animals know they are there. Dogs that are dominant will do this more often than others, usually after every time they do their business..This has nothing to do with "covering their business" or being clean..It's a marking thing just like peeing. My female black lab does this almost every time, but my elderly lab/hound mix rarely ever does anymore..
2006-10-05 04:05:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do not wipe their feet. The guesture is like that however, they leave their mark or scent on the spot. This scent prevents another dog does not carry out business in the same location :) . The only way they can prevent leaving their mark is to cover up the scent. and that is possible only through their feet by putting dirt on it..
2006-10-05 02:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by ashlypradhan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that it comes from it's wolf ancestors - they'd wipe their feet after pooping to lose the smell before going back to their den. That way no predators would follow their tracks.
2006-10-05 03:31:52 · answer #5 · answered by ilovemydogs 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably the same reason why we wipe our bottom's and wash our hands after taking a dump.
2006-10-05 02:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by Curious M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that they do that because they are trying to kick their sent up into the air for other dogs to smell.
2006-10-05 04:06:44 · answer #7 · answered by sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may look like they wipe their feet but they are really trying to hide the poop from predators,,it is instict for them to do that..so that another animal does not smell the poop ..
2006-10-05 02:02:01 · answer #8 · answered by char bear 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't think they're wipeing they are trying to cover the poop by kicking grass or whatever over it.
2006-10-05 02:03:12 · answer #9 · answered by nosey girl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always thought it was to help mark their territory.
2006-10-05 02:03:52 · answer #10 · answered by Lucianna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋