Having a canine friend means encountering all sorts of quirky behaviors, one of which might leave you scratching your head: why does your dog walk and poop at the same time? If you've noticed this unusual habit in your paw companion, rest assured—you're not alone. Many dogs exhibit this behavior for a variety of reasons, from excitement and marking territory to anxiety and joint issues. In most cases, there's nothing to worry about. In this article, we will talk about the common causes behind your dog's walking-and-pooping routine, helping you understand and address any underlying concerns with confidence and love.
Marking Their Territory
The glands in your dog’s bum can pack a lot of useful information in the poo. The musky odor sticking to your dog’s excrement can have multiple chemical markers that any canine visiting your dog’s poo can sniff out. Your dog’s feces are their “business cards”, these items tell about their general health, age, and emotional state at the time of “leaving the card”, and let others know if they are looking for a mate. A piece of poo is the dog’s version of a social media post in many aspects if you think about it.
This is why your pooch seems very interested in all the poo they find out in the wild. Sometimes they do not feel very comfortable when visiting a new area due to the presence of puzzling or irritating scents and potential dangers like bigger and scary dogs so they just walk and poop. There is no particular reason why should be worried.
Excitement
If your dog is very sociable, energetic, and playful they may sometimes have trouble settling down to go potty. Dalmatians, Border Collies, Jack Russell Terriers, and Beagles are often seen walking, running, and pooping at the same time. This is an entirely normal behavior in situations where your paw friend may be overly emotional and has not had the opportunity to spend their energy. As long as their body language seems happy and upbeat and their droppings seem normal – you have nothing to worry about.
If your dog is walking and pooping at the same time frequently due to excitement you might want to practice the more the Sit command and train them to meet people and animals in a calmer state of mind. We recommend you read our article “Understanding Arousal in Dogs”.
Moving Helps Pass Poo
If your dog has trouble pooping due to constipation they may try to walk and poop. The muscle movement of their body can help them relieve themselves more easily as compared to squatting down. If your dog has not gone potty at least once within 24 hours you may have to call your veterinarian and do a full checkup. When a dog is suffering from constipation, they may whine, have sad eyes, and strain when trying to poo. Apart from visiting the vet, you may want to see our article “How to Massage A Dog to Poop”.
However, if your dog’s poo is watery when it comes out that can be a sign of your dog struggling with diarrhea. This is a common issue for younger pups but it can affect adult and senior dogs too. It is most often caused by food that your dog does not handle very well so you may need to reconsider their food servings. Additionally, sometimes dogs have trouble digesting a lot of grass which can cause diarrhea. We recommend reading the article “My Dog Has Diarrhea and Acts Normally- What Should You Do?”.
Fear and Anxiety
Whenever your dog is afraid or anxious their mind will be preoccupied with keeping them safe and alert. This means pooping can be done on the go. This type of behavior can occur when you are visiting a national park with your canine and the dog senses a predator has recently visited the area. If your dog has to go potty in a perceived unsafe area they will have perked-up ears, they will keep sniffing around and they may walk and poop. This is normal in that type of situation and we recommend keeping a close eye on your dog. Additionally, most parks require the visiting dogs to be on a leash at all times. The risk of your paw partner being startled and scared into running away is not to be underestimated.
If your dog is typically anxious in new environments or when meeting other animals they may stay alert, tremble/shake, and poo while walking. Typically, this behavior is often seen in Great Danes, Yorkshire Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Toy Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and Labrador Retrievers. The anxious behavior can manifest as continuous barking, whining all day, and destructive behavior at home like chewing your furniture and clothes. You might want to train your furry friend to become more comfortable meeting other dogs and new people.
Joint Issues and Pain
Dogs suffering from arthritis often have trouble pooping and it is normal for them to try and limit their movement to minimize their pain. The Blue Cross describes the disease this way:
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints, making movement painful and difficult. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the term used to describe the progressive deterioration of the joints as a result of inflammation.
If your canine is struggling with this health condition they may walk and poop frequently as this is easier than squatting down as most dogs do. You may have to use soapy and warm water to clean the bum of your loved furry friend in their sunset years. Careful weight management and anti-inflammation drugs can help relieve some of the pain. Please, consult your veterinarian about this.
If your dog has recently had surgery or if they have hip dysplasia they may experience difficulties using their back and hind legs. These health problems are accompanied by persistent pain which can make your paw partner walk and poop. That way they limit the pain levels and cope with the condition. You will need to consult your vet about the best treatment.
Bowel Incontinence
This condition is divided into two types – reservoir and sphincter incontinence. Reservoir incontinence is a term that describes the dog’s inability to hold a normal amount of stool and the dogs usually defecate in unusual places. Sphincter incontinence is a term that describes the dog’s poorly functioning anal muscles which means the dog releases poo without knowing. The causes of this can range from cancer, infection, abnormal masses, and neurological disorders.
If your dog is walking and pooping frequently and they have trouble holding it at home even when they are adolescents or adults then it is recommended you talk to your veterinarian. You may either have to reaffirm the dog’s basic training or your partner may need dedicated medical care for some time before they get better. In rare cases, you may have to rely upon the services of a veterinary surgical specialist.
What you need to remember is that walking and pooping is not necessarily a bad sign for your canine’s health. They may be just excited or trying to mark their territory. Either way, if have to clean at home we recommend reading our article “How to Clean Dog’s Poop Out of the Carpet”.
