Introduction
Dog owners are very familiar with the peculiar sniffing behavior that dogs exhibit before going to the bathroom. You take your dog out for a walk, and as soon as you stop, your dog starts intently sniffing the ground. They’ll eagerly smell along the grass or pavement, sometimes stopping to give an area extra attention before squatting down and relieving themselves.
This pattern occurs so regularly that most dog owners just accept it as normal behavior. But have you ever wondered why dogs sniff the ground before they pee or poop? This unique behavior has several possible explanations that provide insight into the inner workings of the canine mind.
Dogs Have a Strong Sense of Smell
Dogs have an extremely powerful sense of smell thanks to the impressive anatomy of their noses. According to the Phoenix Veterinary Center, dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to only about 6 million olfactory receptors in human noses. Their large nasal cavity and the huge surface area inside their noses gives them a massive number of scent receptors to pick up smells undetectable to humans.
This allows dogs to detect odors at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can, as noted by VCA Hospitals. Their ability to analyze smells is also enhanced by the fact that they dedicate significant brain power – over 40 times more than humans – to interpreting scents. This impressive combination of physical and mental traits gives dogs an extraordinary sense of smell superior to humans in almost every way.
Sniffing Gives Dogs Information
When dogs sniff the ground, they are gathering a wealth of information about their surroundings and other animals that have been there (1). A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans. The part of a dog’s brain devoted to analyzing smells is about 40 times larger than in people. This means dogs can pick up scents that owners don’t even notice (2).
By sniffing, dogs can detect pheromones, hormones released by other dogs and animals. This allows dogs to learn about other dogs that live nearby, when they were there last, their sex, and if they’re spayed or neutered. Sniffing pheromones provides a lot of information about other animals in the area (1).
In addition to pheromones, sniffing enables dogs to find food, detect prey, and avoid predators. Owners might not realize it, but every time dogs go outside they are gathering crucial details about their environment (2).
Looking for the Perfect Spot
One of the main reasons dogs sniff the ground before eliminating is that they are looking for just the right spot to pee or poop. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, and they use it to find a suitable location with the optimal features to comfortably relieve themselves.
When sniffing around, dogs are checking if the area has been used before by other dogs. They want to avoid soiled areas to not come in contact with waste. Dogs also want to find a spot that is far enough away from their sleeping and eating areas in the home. By sniffing, they can detect areas that are clean and appropriate.
Additionally, dogs may sniff the ground to find a soft surface to do their business, like soil, grass, mulch or sand. They tend to avoid hard surfaces like concrete or rocks. Finding an ideal textured surface helps dogs eliminate more easily and comfortably.
Sniffing the ground gives dogs the information they need to find the perfect spot to relieve themselves that meets their preferences and needs. It allows them to be selective and intentional about choosing a suitable location before pooping or peeing.
Avoiding Soiled Areas
One reason dogs sniff the ground before eliminating is to avoid areas soiled by other dogs or animals. According to research, dogs prefer to urinate and defecate in clean areas that have not already been claimed by others. They are able to detect the smell of urine and feces from other dogs through their powerful sense of smell.
By sniffing the ground, dogs can detect if the area has been previously marked by another dog. They will avoid eliminating on top of the waste and scent marks of other dogs. This allows each dog to establish its own territory and send its own unique scent messages to other dogs in the area (Pasadena Humane Society, 2023).
Additionally, avoiding soiled areas helps promote better hygiene and prevent the spread of parasites or disease. Dogs instinctively know not to eliminate in areas already contaminated with waste. Their sensitive noses guide them to find clean spots for relieving themselves.
Marking Territory
Male dogs have an instinct to mark their territory and define their space with urine. When they sniff around the ground, they are searching for the urination spots of other dogs. By urinating in the same places, they leave their own scent to mark the area as their territory and let other dogs know they were there.
Intact male dogs in particular are driven to mark their turf. They will inspect and smell the ground to find suitable places that have been marked by other dogs. When they find a spot that has been marked, they will frequently urinate on top of it to cover up the scent and leave their own smell in its place. This over-marking serves to establish their presence and dominate the territory.
According to this source, the most popular scent spots for dogs to urinate on are bushes, trees, grass, fire hydrants, and lamp posts. By leaving their scent in prominent locations around their territory, dogs communicate their presence to other canines that pass by the area.
Sniffing Reduces Stress
A dog’s sense of smell is very important for reducing stress and anxiety. According to VCAN Animal Hospitals, when dogs are facing an unwelcome or stressful situation, they may try to “escape” by focusing intently on sniffing. The act of sniffing familiar smells can provide comfort and temporarily distract them from whatever is causing the stress. This is why dogs may start intently sniffing the ground or other objects when they are in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable environment.
For many dogs, having the opportunity to sniff and process all the scent information on the ground before going to the bathroom helps provide a sense of environmental control. This routine gives them time to mark spots they want to avoid and identify places they have gone before. The familiar smells can have a calming effect and allow the dog to feel more relaxed and comfortable before relieving themselves.
It’s an Instinct
Ground sniffing before elimination is an innate behavior in dogs that emerges early in puppyhood. According to veterinarians, this instinctive sniffing behavior dates back to when dogs lived in the wild and needed to check areas for prey or predators before relieving themselves in a vulnerable position. It allowed them to avoid danger and mark their territory at the same time (Source).
Nowadays, pet dogs don’t face the same threats, but the instinct remains deeply ingrained. Sniffing the area helps them gather information about other dogs that may have passed by before choosing the perfect spot to go. It’s an important ritual that makes dogs feel safe and secure before eliminating.
Training Considerations
If your dog is using excessive ground sniffing as an excuse to delay peeing or pooping during house training, there are some tips to help curb this behavior:
Take your dog to designated potty areas on a consistent schedule, rather than giving them free roam to choose any spot. This helps establish a routine and clear expectations (cite: https://wagwalking.com/training/pee-while-on-leash).
Use a command like “go potty” or “get busy” to prompt them to focus on the task at hand, not exploring. Give lots of praise when they go quickly after the cue (cite: https://blog.spotdogwalkers.com/dog-thoughts/dog-wont-pee-on-walks).
If your dog doesn’t go, keep the leash on inside for a bit before trying again. This helps communicate that outside time is for pottying (cite: https://wagwalking.com/daily/what-do-i-do-if-the-dog-im-walking-doesnt-poop-or-pee).
Stay patient and keep walks short and focused until your dog is fully house trained. Long exploring walks can come after potty training success.
Conclusion
In summary, dogs sniff the ground before going to the bathroom for several reasons related to their strong sense of smell. By sniffing, dogs pick up information about other animals in the area, search for an appropriate location, avoid soiled spots, establish territory, and reduce stress. Sniffing before relieving themselves is simply an ingrained instinct for dogs.
While it may seem silly or unnecessary to us, this ritual is important for dogs. As pet owners, we can be patient with this behavior and provide plenty of opportunities for dogs to sniff and go to the bathroom during walks. With positive reinforcement training, dogs can also learn to go on command. Understanding why dogs sniff helps us better meet their needs.