Some people take a really long time to sit on the toilet. But compared to my dog, no one spends that much time defecating. While he picks up his foot at every blade of grass, he often doesn’t perform the big need on a walk until after twenty minutes. This is despite the fact that you can clearly see he wanted to from the start. Some dogs just have it that way. And there are several reasons why this happens.

When I got my dog, I was looking forward to him at least forcing me to go for long walks. But I had no idea how long they would ever be. Sometimes we walk for miles before he defecates. This is also simply due to the fact that a dog, like a human, needs quiet and ideally an environment he is familiar with for this process.

The same route every day

If a person goes to the toilet at home, he usually has no problem with it. However, it can take us longer when visiting or in strange places. And so do dogs. Places they know are often much more convenient for them to defecate. So if you walk your pet every day along the same route, it will be easier for him to find a place to perform the need.

It’s just that even though the route may seem exactly the same to you every time, it changes a lot for your dog. The smellsin the neighborhood are different every day, so just because he dropped off the excess weight at the tree yesterday without a problem doesn’t mean he won’t stop at the same tree today only to decide after sniffing it that he can’t do it this time.

For a dog, even a place that has been used hundreds of times is still something new because of all the smells around. That's why it sometimes takes him a while to find a suitable spot to defecate. ━━ For a dog, even a place that has been used hundreds of times is still something new because of all the smells around. That's why it sometimes takes him a while to find a suitable spot to defecate. ( Source: Anna Storsul /  Unsplash+ )

Calm and time

If you want your dog to perform a need, you simply have to give him time. Take him for walks in a place that is not too busy. Crowds of people or passing cars can scare the animal so much that it simply won’t be able to defecate at all.

The presence of other animals is also bad for the dog. Thus, if a dog walker walks towards you with their four-legged pet, your dog is unlikely to squat right in front of them. You simply have to wait until the surroundings are quiet and also when your friend feels relaxed.

When is it a bigger problem?

Sometimes a dog’s needs take time. However, the dog should have a person who will have the time and patience for it. Longer walks are not a complication in themselves. The problem arises when the pet is unable to defecate for several days in a row. In this case, the problem needs to be addressed with a veterinarian. This may be due to a change in diet or a health problem.

And even if the poor defecation is not caused by anything physical, but only by stress, it is a complication that needs to be addressed. The dog will know how you feel. So try to be calm in his presence, give him time, show him your love. Talk to him before and during the walk and reassure him, and if he has trouble relieving himself, only take him to completely quiet places where you can let him off the lead and give him space.