Odd dog potty behavior

[Zephie]

My pointer/boxer mix has a strange, nearly OCD potty behavior that I really need to get resolved or at least explained to me: He always has to, ah, defecate in three piles. He'll start in point A, stop, waddle to point B, stop, and then continue to point C, every day. The locations are not the same day to day, but the number is constant. If you interrupt him or take him inside before he finishes this routine he'll finish in the house (though only in one pile), in addition to being visibly distressed all day. I've never seen a dog do something like this before. Any ideas on what might cause a dog to do this and how to rectify it?

[Sanity Claws]

1. a trinity of dog poop

Was he raised Catholic? One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Spirit.

[mopinko]

2. are his hips ok?

my boxer is a little like that, not so ritualistic. but she has horrible hip problems and sometimes walks and whines.

[Zephie]

4. I haven't observed any unusual whining or walking problems,

however I'll make sure to keep an eye out for it now that you've suggested it.

[WatchWhatISay]

3. Maybe he is trying to spread his scent around?

:shrug:

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. I've had

three little dogs that have done something similar for no obvious reason.

I can't offer any explanation.

[erinlough]

6. I have three dogs and..

one is a pile pooper, and the other two are what I call line poopers. I don't know why but they seem to want to move while they are doing their business. I wouldn't worry about it at all, just a habit.

[roody]

7. They are creatures of habit. That's how he likes to do it.

[Curmudgeoness]

8. Why are you trying to rectify it? This is not a behavior I would worry about.

At least you have the clear clue that the dog is finished when pile C has been accomplished.

Many dogs like to move during a BM and it possibly helps to move the bowels. It reminds me of how different people have some odd behaviors---like I knew a woman who had to rock on the toilet (I heard about this because she kept breaking seats). Other people need a stool to put their feet on. I even read about a man who had to swat to go. I say if it works for you....or your dog....don't question it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. It's not a matter of rectifying it - I'd call it

rectumfying.



...sorry....

[a la izquierda]

10. That is odd, but I've seen dogs do this before.

Maybe it helps...move things along? I don't know. My bulldog used to do it.

Hey, at least yours goes outside. My chihuahua runs and hides. When he finally does go outside, he runs around for 20 minutes and then will go inside, and poop in the bathroom. *Sigh* Luckily, my husband has the patience of St. Francis with dogs, and I'm in Ohio with my big boy (who just wants to run for awhile and then do his business).

[TorchTheWitch]

11. I'd call the vet about this

Could be nothing, but odd potty behavior is often due to a physical problem of some sort. Since this is a male dog it might be a prostate problem or he needs his anal glands expressed, but it could also be a hip problem or any number of physical problems. What is also concerning is what you said about his "finishing" in the house if he isn't given the opportunity to "finish" outside. If this is a potty trained dog the only reason he will ever go to the bathroom in the house is if there is a physical reason why he MUST.

Is this something the dog has been doing all it's life, or is it something that just started more recently? How old is this dog, and how long have you had him?

A dog not completing his business once he starts isn't normal and could very well be some sort of physical problem. Just talk to the vet about it and have any possible physical reason for it ruled out or found out.