One reason is that they are trying to mark their territory.
Another reason may be that they are trying to hide their waste from predators.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that dogs have a reason for doing this strange behavior.
Dogs will sometimes bury their feces.
This is most commonly seen in young puppies and very old dogs.
These animals tend to be afraid of people so they bury their feces out of fear for being caught by humans.
They also do this because they don’t want other animals to smell their waste.
There are some theories as to why dogs would do this, but none of them seem completely convincing.
Theories on Why Dogs Cover Their Poop
There are several theories on why dogs do this strange behavior.
If you’ve ever wondered why your dog covers its poop, then you should read about these theories and figure out which one makes the most sense to you.
They Are Trying To Mark Their Territory
They Are Trying To Hide Their Waste From Predators
They Are Protecting Themselves From Poisonous Plants
They Want To Protect Their Food From Other Animals
They Feel Bad About Leaving It Wherever They Went
They Are Afraid Of Being Eaten By Hungry Birds
They Are Scared That A Stranger Will Take The Poop As A Gift
They Are Trying To Find A Good Place To Defecate
They Are Trying To Avoid Getting Sick From Contaminated Water or Food
They Are Trying To Avoid Making Noise While Doing Their Business
They Don’t Like Seeing Their Own Poo
They Have Been Forced To Do So By Humans
Because A Human Has Asked Them To Do So
What do you think?
What theory would make more sense to you?
Let us know in the comments below.
The History of Dogs Covering Their Poop
Dogs covering their poop was first mentioned in the book ‘Dog Breeds’ by Frank Housman and Charles Johnson published in 1879.
The authors stated that “covering” is when dogs leave a pile of feces on top of the ground or dig holes around the area where they defecate.
They also mention that dogs may do this while hunting or just before going back into their kennels.
This behavior has been seen in many different breeds of dogs such as French Bulldogs, Poodles, Pit Bulls, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers and Collies.
In fact, studies have shown that there is a link between dogs who cover their poop and those which don’t.
In one study, scientists found that dogs with a tendency to cover their feces were more likely to have aggressive behaviors toward other animals than dogs who didn’t cover their poop.
However, this doesn’t mean that all dogs who cover their poop will become aggressive towards others.
The benefits of Dogs Covering Their Poop
While most people don’t think about it, there are some important benefits of dogs covering their poop.
First and foremost, it keeps your dog happy!
If you’ve ever seen your dog run around in circles after they do their business, you know that it can get pretty tiring.
In addition to that, it’s also an indication that they are very happy with themselves.
They feel good about what they did, which is exactly how we should treat our pets.
Another benefit of dogs covering their poop is that it can help prevent some nasty diseases.
When dogs cover their poop, they are naturally cleaning themselves up.
This helps keep them healthy because the poop is not sitting around collecting germs.
Instead, it is getting flushed away quickly, so there are no opportunities for bacteria or parasites to develop.
In addition, when dogs cover their poop, they are helping to protect the environment.
The majority of dog poop ends up in landfills, but if it didn’t, it would start to smell and attract animals who might eat it.
By covering their poop, they are preventing this problem from occurring.
A final reason why dogs cover their poop is because they are protecting us humans.
Some of the things that we put into our pets’ mouths can cause health problems.
For example, many medications can make dogs sick, so it’s best to avoid giving them any food or treats containing those ingredients.
Dogs might not realize that they are covering their poop, but they still want to take care of it.
It’s just one more way that they are showing us love.
So, now that you know why dogs cover their poop, here are some tips on how to get your dog to cover their poop.
How to Get Your Dog to Cover Their Poop
Dogs will do whatever it takes to protect themselves and their family.
If you want your dog to cover their poop, all you need to do is follow these steps.
Step 1: You’ll first need to make sure that you’re not disturbing your dog when they go out to use the bathroom.
This means that you won’t be walking them while they’re using the restroom or taking them outside to relieve themselves.
Step 2: Once you’ve made sure that your dog isn’t about to go out to use the restroom, you’ll need to set up some sort of barrier between your dog and your yard.
This can be as simple as a chain link fence with a gate or something more elaborate such as a dog house.
Step 3: Next, you’ll need to teach your dog what to do if they see another dog defecating in the yard.
To start off, you should show your dog the feces on the ground and then encourage them to step over it.
You can also add a treat reward to get your dog to step over the feces.
Step 4: After your dog has learned how to step over the feces, you’ll need to train them to cover the feces.
Start by showing your dog the feces again and then encourage them to step over it once more.
Once your dog has mastered that task, you can move on to the next step.
Step 5: Finally, you’ll need to reinforce the process.
That means that every time your dog covers their feces, give them praise and/or a treat.
Over time, your dog will learn that covering their feces is a good thing and they’ll do it without any prompting.
Common Misconceptions About Dogs Covering Their Poop
Dogs covering their poop isn’t the only thing that people think of when they hear the word “dog.”
Many other misconceptions about dogs exist as well.
The following list will help you dispel some of these myths and get a better understanding of what’s really going on with your dog.
Myth #1 – Dogs Cover Their Poop Because They Are Dirty or Disgusting
This myth is based on the idea that if a dog covers its poop, then it must be dirty or disgusting.
It’s true that if a dog does not clean up after itself, then it could be considered dirty or even disgusting.
However, there are many different factors involved in whether or not a dog covers its poop.
Some dogs do not cover their poop because they aren’t interested in cleaning it up, while others do not cover their poop simply because they don’t know how.
Myth #2 – If a Dog Doesn’t Cover Its Poop, Then It Will Be Euthanized
This is a common belief among new owners who just bought a puppy or an adult dog.
It can also be found in certain breed groups where the fear of euthanasia exists.
While this may seem like a logical conclusion to make, it’s actually untrue.
In fact, most shelters and rescue organizations would rather adopt out healthy dogs than euthanize them.
Myth #3 – Dogs Only Cover Their Poop When They Are Full
Another misconception about dogs covering their poop is that they only cover their poop when they are full.
This is false.
A dog could be completely empty and still cover his poop.
There are several reasons why this might happen.
A dog may feel nauseated or sick from eating something bad.
Some dogs have diarrhea or loose bowels that cause them to be very gassy.
Some dogs eat too fast and can’t hold their food down long enough to digest it properly.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
