Why does my dog stand on the rug infront of me and kick backwards with his hind legs, he does it for about 5 seconds or so?  He hasnt been to the toilet or anything so why does he do it?

I'd love to know the answer to this.  My 8 month old CKCS bitch does the same thing.  It seems to be frustration if you won't give her attention, she does a low growl at the same time.  I asked the trainer at classes, but she doesn't know.

When I wondered about my Cav kicking grass up in the park with his back legs, someone on here suggested that he was trying to mark territory by spreading scent from glands they apparently have between their toes or something, so it could be the same thing? He also gives a sort of growl as he does it. :-)

I can understand that with a dog, but not with a bitch.  Poppy doesn't actually stand when she does it, she's more in a down position. 

Cant be one hundred percent on this but I think I heard that canines in general have scent glands on their feet and scratch the ground to leave their scent.  My bitch does this when she is in season, she also cocks her leg. 

harry25, bitches also scent mark, this behaviour is not restricted to males, some bitches also cock their leg when urinating!

Both my two do it (dog and bitch), and my brother's bitch does it furiously when she's out - it's always a scent marking thing with them, they do it after they've peed usually.  Occasionally my dobe (the dog) will do it indoors, and he is undoubtedly the most territorial of the three dogs.

So arthur is very territorial then?  I know if we go to the woods he has to wee up EVERY tree, his tank runs dry and he just carries on cocking his leg up every tree. Letting people know hes been there.  He kicks on the rug when he hasnt had a wee as he is in the house, so maybe hes just staking his claim on the house.

Could be, it depends on the dog really I think.  Remy's very territorial in the house and the drive (and the little bit of pavement in front of the drive!!), but outside he's not bothered - whereas Tia (brother's bitch) marks every blade of grass and rips the heck out of the ground after marking every blade of grass, but she isn't territorial as such - she's a very anxious dog outside, kind of unsure but very excited all at the same time.  Personally I would say that if arthur's a very well adjusted dog then he's probably just letting other dogs know he's there (thoroughly :)).  If it's a walk you go on quite a lot there might be an element of territory of course.

Thanks tohme.  Poppy seems to do it when she's looking at once of us and waiting for us to play - if we're in the middle of something and don't respond to her instantly, she'll lay almost on the floor, kick her back leg out and scratch at the carpet and give a low growl followed by a bark.  We've never seen her do it at any other time.

Never seen a bitch cock their leg, so that's one to look out for :0)

My bitch cocks her leg quite a lot of the time and also sometimes scrapes the ground with her back feet :) . Never in the house though, only in woodland/fields.

If it's when she wants to play, it might also be partly play-bowing, what they do when they are inviting you to have a game. :-)