How many spins does it take?

[Christy&Riley]

Kind of a gross question but....If your doodle spins (e.g. walks in circles) before going "#2," have you ever counted the number of turns? The other day my husband counted 120 spins for Riley. We will stand there and she will walk back and forth the distance of the leash then start tightening it into a smaller turn. She has been a "spinner" all her life so I don't think it is a sign of a medical issue. I'm thinking more like OCD...or a secret desire to drive us nuts while we shiver in the cold. I suppose it adds to her personality. :-)

 

Anyone ever counted your doodle's turns?

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOL....my mini, Guinness, is a "spinner" and a "pacer".  Once he finds his spot it still takes a good five more minutes of pacing and spinning.

[Christy&Riley]

Pacing is a good way to describe it.

Riley is a standard but only 38 pounds. I'll be curious to see if it is a small dog verses big dog phenomenon.

Does Guinness pull on the leash during the process? It's as if Riley likes to hit the tension on the end of the leash to force herself to go back the other way. You have to brace yourself because she can pull you over when she hits the end and starts the turn back.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

My Schnoodle is a miniature (14.5 lbs). So, I was wondering the same thing if it's a small dog thing.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

No, it's not all small dogs! Tara is 20lbs. and she is the speediest I have ever had. She probably averages 30 seconds to 1 minute except first thing in the morning when she may take as long as a minute and half. And there's no spinning,  she just goes outside, hits the grass, goes and runs back to the door. It's awesome.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Oh my! My Doodle does not spin. She's a pacer. Bit, my Schnoodle is a spinner. I've never counted the spins, but i think yours wins with 120 revolutions!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Mine is a 6 month old mini. She weighed in at a whopping 11lbs at the vet yesterday. She spins for sure, but not for #2, she is usually chasing her tail. She can probably do it for 50 revs. For #2, once she finds her spot, she marches in place for awhile with her back legs, usually looking at me. By then I am so ready to go back inside. There have been a few sub zero mornings, but the cold doesn't bother her in the least. Sometimes I will say, will you just go already?  I would say the 120 revs is probably a winner.

[Chris & Abby]

My Abby doesn't spin either. She just walks around, stops abruptly and goes. I had a ShihTzu that was a spinner. It's pretty funny to watch! 120 must be an all time record.

[Christy&Riley]

Perhaps the most frustrating is when she loses her focus and has to start over. Unfortunately, it's like she has an inner counter that makes her start over from 1 again. LOL

 

I remember a cold winter morning this year when I was late for work and trying to get Riley to do her business. She was finally focused and circling...just about ready to drop her rear...victory was in sight...and then I see the neighbor and his dog in the distance. "NOOOO!!!!!" Thankfully, he knew I was trying to leave for work so he changed his direction. Riley saw them and stopped but I got her going again.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This is funny. 120 times? I'm dizzy just thinking about it! My two don't spin per se, but they will pace around a 6-10 ft area several times until they find just the right spot.  I can tell they are getting ready because they both will kind of hunch down on their back legs as they are looking for the right spot.  I always wonder what makes just the perfect spot, especially since they have used the same back yard for their whole lives. You'd think they'd have find 'The Spot" by now. 

I read once it has something to do with the smell in the wind??? Something like that. 

[Christy&Riley]

Ricki - so jealous of Tara's efficiency!

Sue - I agree. You'd think they would have "the spot" selected by now! I've heard it has to do with the pull of the poles. But again, the poles aren't moving so it seems they would know which way to face. :-)

[Adina P]

wowee...120!  Boca I don't think spins at all.  Our late Thule I don't think spun either--she was known for even pooping like a horse while walking politely on leash...just let it fall out of her!  Rosco, walks back and forth, maybe a spin but not much.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

LOL, 120! That must be a record. My older one paces around in circles, but mostly for #1. It might be anywhere from 3 to 10 circles....and then he pees on the very same spot he always does. For #2, he paces as well, but not that much. And he does it only in our backyard. If we are one a walk or at a park, he just goes without pacing and spinning. They younger one just goes wherever he needs to. No pacing and spinning. Dogs are funny!