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Sources and their limits.

A description of common behavior is not proof of a cause in your dog.

Sources checked November 12, 2026. Citations do not imply endorsement of this site or PawLine.

Where we keep uncertainty

Cornell says there is no known specific cause. The Conversation notes a lack of research, including on timing and breed differences. Some secondary writing uses firmer explanations for evening or post-bath behavior. We retain the uncertainty instead of presenting a universal cause. We do not transplant the cat-specific toileting theory into dog advice.

What we added

The space check, its three planning states and the fictional gate example are original editorial aids. They are not validated safety assessments, diagnostic tools or exercise prescriptions. An unanswered item stays unanswered, and completing every item does not produce an all-clear.

Review status

Our editorial team checked the sources. No independent veterinarian reviewed this website. A review credit on a source page applies only to that source, not to our words or the PawLine app.