 Pooping on Plants
#150221 - 07/31/2007 10:40 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-30-2007
Posts: 6
Loc:
 Offline |
|
We just got a 2 year old rescue dog (husky/pit mix). He appears to be housebroken - he hasn't gone in the house or even in our small yard yet - but he does have a strange habit of just pooping on plants and chain link fences, especially clumps of thin, reedy plants. We live in northern California, so there are a lot of plants like this in front yards, and since his poop has been a bit soft, it's practically impossible to clean with a plastic bag. Does anyone have any ideas on what's going on? Any suggestions for correcting this?
Thanks for the help!
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Eric Bahm ]
#150241 - 07/31/2007 12:18 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 09-24-2003
Posts: 1555
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
| Offline |
|
Hi Eric,
I've seen a few Mals do this. My belief is that it is partially a dominance issue. That animal who marks highest is baddest. Many wild animals do the same thing.
The first time I ever saw a Mal literally doing a handstand while pooping in the bushes I thought, WTF!?
Howard
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Howard Knauf ]
#150242 - 07/31/2007 12:25 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
| Offline |
|
The first time I ever saw a Mal literally doing a handstand while pooping in the bushes I thought, WTF!?
Wow Howard - that's really interesting!
I suppose it makes sense, it's just so much harder to "aim" poo than it is pee! 
My boy likes to hike into the bushes to do his business, but I think he just wants privacy - he always looks back at me just before he drops anchor with this face that says, "excuse me, but do you MIND?!!" at which point I prompty look the other way and wait for him to finish...
~Natalya
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Howard Knauf ]
#150243 - 07/31/2007 12:26 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
| Offline |
|
Do you know how the dog was kept previously?
It may be that he was in a yard that had only tall stuff, just like I have seen kennel dogs only want to "go" on concrete or dirt.....some dogs only want to go in short grass because that has been where they were kept most of the time or trained to go.
Previous owners may have trained the dog to go in tall stuff if they did not want to pick it up.....
There are many variables on why (and Howards is a valid one also).
Re-training him to "go" where you want may take time, but it can be done. Keep him on lead and make sure you stay where you want him to go.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#150244 - 07/31/2007 12:32 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
| Offline |
|
Mods, is there any way to merge posts? I noticed this one is doubled up and getting two simultaneous but different threads of response... might be nice to hang onto ALL the responses, but consolidate the question  ...
~Natalya
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Natalya Zahn ]
#150292 - 07/31/2007 05:04 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-30-2007
Posts: 6
Loc:
| Offline |
|
Howard - he marks territory a lot, but he's not dominant or agressive with other dogs at all. In fact, while he's not submissive, he puts up with a lot from other dogs. And he hasn't even been fixed yet!
Carol - I don't know his previous situation. I called the shelter the rescue group got him from, and they had him marked as a stray. I find this hard to believe though since he has such great manners and a sweet disposition, especially considering he's a beefy, "intact" 2+ year old male, from 2 breeds not known for their mellowness.
Natalya - sorry for the double posts. Since he's not a puppy, I wasn't sure which forum to post the question to. I guess I need some training too!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Howard Knauf ]
#150296 - 07/31/2007 05:28 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-06-2005
Posts: 2686
Loc: llinois
| Offline |
|
My belief is that it is partially a dominance issue. That animal who marks highest is baddest. Many wild animals do the same thing.
The first time I ever saw a Mal literally doing a handstand while pooping in the bushes I thought, WTF!?
Howard
Yep, I've come to the same conclusion. It's been my 3 most dominant dogs who have done/still do this. Like Howard's Mal, I had a female Chihuahua who would do a full handstand every single time she peed. It was quite a sight. She was a very coordinated little girl. My male Chi will back up a tree, or climb a rock and go #2. He also hikes his leg up so high he's practically lying on his side to pee. My jackass GSD also insists on doing #2 on the highest point he can find...he can't understand why the neighbors' decorative retaining wall is not a good spot. None of my other dogs have ever done this.
The only things these 3 have in common that I can see is dominance, and as Howard said, height of excrement/urine makes all the difference in the wild.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Jenni Williams ]
#150310 - 07/31/2007 07:35 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 09-27-2002
Posts: 637
Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.
| Offline |
|
My Mal is the same way... he always poops against a tree or in clumps of brush where it will sit off of the ground a little bit. It's been a dog lover's dream as far as yard clean up goes and he trees in my back yard are VERY healthy!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Matthew Grubb ]
#150314 - 07/31/2007 08:01 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-02-2007
Posts: 749
Loc: Canada
| Offline |
|
My old neighbours had a APBT cross that used to leave me turd presents on my wood chopping block on a regular basis  I was amazed at some of the high up places he could balance a turd!!
I feel the op on the grass situation. I have a breed that has "pants" (long fur on his butt). I though I was quite clever by teaching him to "do it" (that is his marker ) off trail so I would not have to pick it up. I live in a wilderness area. Problem is that in the tall grass or bushes, sometimes the "pants" get in the way, and if the dog had too much organ meat the night before......  You get the idea.
I am for taking your dog on leash to the area you want him to poop and marking the pooping with a command. Could feed for firmer stool too if all else fails.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Pooping on Plants
[Re: Jennifer Coulter ]
#151335 - 08/10/2007 05:41 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 09-05-2006
Posts: 144
Loc:
| Offline |
|
HAHAHA. My male dog does the same thing. He shits on trees, fences or any thing high up. The whole family laughs about it.
A few months back he backed up against a barb wire fence and let loose. I would no say it was dominance cause he is a total wimp.
Those who would give up essential freedoms for the temporary feeling of safety deserve neither!! |
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic.jpg)
