My lawn is a disaster!

Question
My dog, a medium sized chow-shar pei mix, likes to tear up our lawn. I've looked all over the internet to find an answer on this behavior and discovered that it must be unique. He does not tear up lawns in an average fashion. After he goes to the bathroom, he flings his legs backwards and leaves deep scratch marks in the lawn. He almost looks like a bull getting ready to charge as depicted in cartoons. I'm not sure if this has something to do with the fact that he was a rescue dog or not but I am very confused and would like to know how I can possibly fix this problem.

Answer
That is a common enough behavior I am surprised you haven't found a description of it.  I doubt it has anything to do with him being a rescue dog.  It may have to do with marking, leaving a visual mark as well of the scent.  Knowing what is happening, doesn't mean I know how to prevent it.  Neutering him may help if not already.  Being out there and offering him a treat to distract him before or in the act might help.  

I guess you could also put in a small area of pea gravel and train him to use it.  That would mean taking him out on leash and praising him for using the pea gravel.  You could them rake it smooth as needed.  

Not every problem has a good solution.