Dogs sometimes have some strange behavior. You may notice your dog kicking their legs back after going to the bathroom or when there are other dogs around. Why is that? In today’s article we are going to talk about all the reasons why your dog is kicking his/her legs back and what it means!
Why does my dog kick his back legs after he poops?
When your dog kicks his/her leg after they go to the bathroom, it is a way for them to spread their scent around. Most people think it’s the dog’s way of covering up their mess like a cat, however this isn’t what is happening. Dominant dogs will do this to say that this is their land, or their territory and that they are the boss, any dog to get in their way is trouble. Submissive dogs will do it to say that they are not a threat.
Why does my dog kick his back legs?
When a dog kicks his legs back it could mean a handful of things. Let’s look at all the reasons.
- Marking their territory
- The most common reason you will see a dog kicking their legs back is because they are marking their territory. You will see this mostly after a dog goes to the bathroom, especially if there are other dogs around. Dogs have scent glands in the back of their feet and they are trying to spread their scent around. Dominant dogs do this to claim their zone, telling other dogs to stay away.
- Muscle Spasms
- Another sort of common reason is muscle spasms. But this will come with other side effects. Muscle spasms in dogs can look like seizures, where the dog may fall to the ground and sort shake uncontrollably. Or, it could look like them on the ground while one or two legs shake a lot.
- Degenerative Joint Hip Disease
- Or DJD is when the cartilage surrounding the bones rubs away and the nerves end up hitting each other. This is a very painful disease and goes along with arthritis.
- REM Cycles
- Dogs enter REM just like humans and they do dream. Some dogs have very active REM cycles where they seem like they are running in their sleep.
- Medial Patellar Luxation
- A very uncommon reason why dogs kick their legs. It is when the kneecap is out of place. It usually happens to smaller dogs like chihuahuas or pomeranians.
Why does my dog kick his back legs when playing?
When dogs kick their legs back when playing they are either just playing, or is the same reason for when they do it after they poop, to mark their territory.
Is Kicking Back Legs a Sign of Aggression in dogs?
It isn’t always a sign of aggression, but if they hold their stance, especially when there is a threat nearby, they are getting ready to defend themselves or attack.
Why Does My Dog Kick His Back Legs When Barking?
Barking and kicking legs back also has to do with dominance, marking territory, and a sign that the dog is defending their territory.
Why does my dog kick his back legs when lying down?
When a dog lies down and kicks his legs, check to see if they are sleeping. Because when a dog enters REM sleep, some dogs are very active and it will look like they are running in their sleep. If they are not sleeping, they could be having a seizure or a joint issue and a medical problem could be happening.
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Why does my dog kick his back legs on the carpet?
This is known as “ground scratching” and dogs have been doing it since they were wolves in the grass. Many think it is a form of communication.
Why does my female dog kick her back legs?
Female dogs kick their legs back for all the same reasons a male dog would. Female dogs could especially do it more frequently than males if they have their puppies around. This is to show other dogs and even people to stay away from her babies.
Why does my dog kick his back legs when excited?
Kicking legs back has many meanings, but one of them could mean the dog is very excited and ready to play! A dog that is full of energy will kick their legs to get rid of some of that energy and to communicate their need to run around.
Why does my dog kick his back legs when I scratch him?
Ahh, the sweet spot. This is known as the scratch reflux. Most dogs have a spot, usually some place they can’t reach that feels so good when you scratch it or pet it. It will cause one of their legs to kind of bounce up and down. There is nothing to be worried about with this occurrence, as it feels really good for your dog!
Why does my dog kick his back legs after peeing?
Peeing on things is one way of marking territory. So when dogs
13 reasons Why your dog is kicking its back legs?
Here are 13 reasons why your dog is kicking their legs back.
- REM cycle
- Marking territory
- Muscle Spasms
- Degenerative Joint Hip Disease
- Medial Patellar Luxation
- Aggression
- Playing
- Scratch Reflux
- Skin Infection
- Seizures
- Hip Dysplasia
- Feels Threatened
- Ground Scratching
Hopefully now that we have discussed all the reasons why dogs kick their legs back, you have a better understanding and can figure out why your dog is doing it!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508344/
https://www.bu.edu/bostonia/web/physical-therapy/index.shtml
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