If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know it can sometimes be weird and silly. Although we might not understand why our pets do specific things, they have a reason. That includes when they take 10 minutes to sniff a spot before pooping.
When you’re late for work, and it’s snowing outside, it might feel unpleasant to wait for your little prince or princess to find the perfect place to do their business, but owning a pet comes with the territory.
Why Does it Happen?
If you didn’t know, each dog has a distinct odor that helps them identify other dogs. Their most robust sense is their smell. It’s said that not only can a dog figure out who’s been to that specific spot, but they can also tell when it’s a female in heat and even their diet.
They sniff for so long because they are trying to figure out who was there and leave a little present for the others. Pooping in the exact spot is a way to mark territory and will let other dogs know your dog was there, too, even when you pick it up.
Is the Circling Normal as Well?
It’s not unusual for dogs to circle their territory before deciding to use the bathroom. There are a couple of reasons why a dog might do this. First, they may be trying to spread their scent around the whole area before leaving their little poop mountain.
The second, very likely option is that your dog is trying to see who’s around before being in a compromising position. For example, a threat around while they’re using the bathroom puts them at a significant disadvantage, so they should try to get a sound footing beforehand.
For How Long Should Sniffing Last?
While it may feel like your dog has been sniffing for the last century, they usually only sniff their area for less than a minute or two before using the bathroom. Of course, this fluctuates depending on whether or not there are other smells they are sniffing as well.
There are also moments when your dog could be distracted by another dog or object, and it takes them even longer to poop. If worst comes to worst, they might even decide it’s not the perfect spot and continue walking before sniffing again. Every dog is different.
How Does a Dog Pick a Place to Poop?
While it may feel like dogs pick places to poop randomly, if you pay attention, you might notice that your dog will tend to go to the exact general locations every time. Some studies also show that dogs go to the bathroom differently depending on the magnetic field.
When there’s a “calm” magnetic field, dogs prefer to poop with their bodies aligned with the earth’s north-south axis while being allowed to roam free. We don’t know if they do this consciously, but dogs might be more sensitive to the magnetic field.
Where are Dogs’ Scent Glands Located?
As explained earlier, dogs each have an individual smell that can differentiate them from other dogs. These are like a dog’s fingerprints, except they don’t exist on their paws. Instead, their scent glands are located in their butts, also called anal sacs.
When a dog poops, the sacs secrete the odor and travel out with the poop. This also explains why dogs like to sniff each other’s butts upon meeting. Seeing your dog scooting on the floor may indicate that its scent glands are inflamed.
Final Thoughts on What are Dogs Sniffing for Before They Poop
Before a dog poops, you’ll notice that they start sniffing around for a little while before circling around and finally letting it go. This is because they are figuring out which dogs have been there before letting them know they’re there too.
Each dog has a distinct smell that gets released from the scent glands located in their butts. Dogs can tell who was there, what time, whether they’re female, and even their diet. In addition, a study showed that dogs might be sensitive to the earth’s magnetic field.