AHHH! My puppy just rolled in something gross!! Have you ever asked yourself “Why does my dog roll in stuff”?
Spring is on its way! Yippee – the smell of freshly cut grass, flowers in bloom and … wait, what’s that, whilst back out there exploring nature, your pup has dropped a shoulder and rolled in something suspicious. That’s not what any of us want! Not only are our puppy cuddles ruined as your little cutie is now stinky, but what about the bugs and disease risks?
Table of contents
Let’s talk about why –
There are a number of theories why our pups roll in things, whether it be unpleasant things, their food or treats or grass. To try and evaluate why our domestic pups have retained this gross habit, wolves, foxes and coyotes have been studied for this exact behaviour. Some theories are below:
- Leaving scent – Marking or perhaps masking another dog’s scent in their territory by replacing it with theirs
- Carrying scent – Communicating or carrying scent back to the “pack” who then follows the scent to food
- Wearing scent – Masking for hunting/camouflage from other predators
- Enjoying scent – Perfume theory.
- Other reasons – Rolling in the grass, leaves or rolling on food items.
1) Leaving scent
The idea of leaving scent has 2 theories. The first theory suggests dogs are trying to leave their own scent in the place of a competitor and so roll in their competitors’ faeces thereby covering a competitor’s scent and claiming territory. The other theory is that rolling on a carcass to scent mark their prey, keeps scavengers away from a carcass/ food item. However, these theories are questioned, as dogs might use their own faeces, saliva or the scent glands on their necks to scent cover, but instead, they often appear to use their whole bodies/backs to roll in yucky stuff, so this is less efficient at covering scent. It’s also not uncommon for dogs to roll in their own poop, so this wouldn’t make sense in this scenario.
2) Carrying scent
This theory considers communication as a key to why our dogs roll in stuff.
As part of sharing information dogs may carry the scent on themselves. Body language and scent are important in canine communication, so rolling in something rancid, could be considered bragging rights, indicating your dog found something dead and gorgeous (to them), suggesting they are a successful predator and should be respected by park friends, elevating reputation. Carrying its scent to share during mutual sniffing.
Another theory about carrying scent is that relating to wild wolves. Wild wolves have been seen to roll in carcasses and take that smell back to the pack who then follow that scent to food. It is an adaptive pack behaviour designed to help the whole pack in survival and finding nutrition.
3) Wearing scent
This theory is observed in nature for 2 potential purposes. One suggested purpose is for wild wolves/ coyotes or foxes to cover their own scent to make them less visible to prey and so more successful hunters. Another suggested purpose of scent wearing is observed in grey foxes, in which they roll in puma urine or faeces in order to “hide” their own scent from larger and more dominant predators.
4) Enjoying scent
Just like we like the nice smell of floral perfume, our dogs like the smell of rancid rotting carcasses. Lovely! Eau de deceased unidentified creature, my puppy’s favourite ha-ha. So it could be that our dogs just like the smell. In nature, Wolves have been found to like novel smells and roll in found smells like motor oil etc as a preference over animal faeces just because they are intrigued! So, if your dog doesn’t come across other dogs’ smells too often, they may just be intrigued.
5) Other reasons
Sometimes our dogs like a good old roll in freshly cut grass or a big ole pile of leaves. Sometimes it’s just fun. I mean who doesn’t like rolling down a bank in summer, really? But it could be a sign of skin disease or allergies if the rubbing and rolling become excessive so keep an eye out. If your pup is particularly rubbing their ears, maybe they have sore ears. Rolling or scratching their backs in the grass can also be quite a nice massage, so it might not all be sinister. It just sometimes feels good 😊
My pup has a habit of rolling on his favourite treat. Some dogs throw their food around or roll on it. This can be just a bit of fun like my pup and his raw carrots. Sometimes dogs like to smell like their favourite treat as it’s a nice scent to them so they roll on their food. It has been thought that the activity of rolling on food can also be a homage to wild dog behaviour; in which your dog is scent marking a resource as part of resource guarding. If your dog shows signs of resource guarding or stress around food items, talk to your veterinary clinic or certified behaviour before the situation escalates as you or other pets in the house could get injured.
What Should You Do About your Dog Rolling in Stuff
We have to remember that this is natural behaviour, so don’t punish but discourage it. It is best to action positive reinforcement and redirection and for those moments out on a walk, make sure you’ve mastered your recall and have treats at hand.
How to stop it
Master your recall, and have treats on hand. If the behaviour happens at a regular spot on a walk put them on a lead in anticipation. Consider redirection with a favourite toy or ball, keep an eye out for any behaviour that might give you a clue that rolling is about to happen, like dropping a shoulder or circling / excessive sniffing in one area, and move on/ redirect.
Have a regular flea and worming routine
This behaviour can put your dog’s health at risk, make sure they are up to date with flea and worming routinely to prevent them from becoming unwell or indeed your human family.
How often should you bathe your dog?
If all else fails and your dog is sporting the latest version of eau de unidentified deceased woodland creature, there’s nothing for it but bath time. Generally, I wouldn’t recommend bathing your dog too frequently as your dog has natural oils in his coat that keep him healthy. So, if he’s “soiled” or if advised by your vet due to a medical condition such as bacterial or yeast overgrowth a bath is on the cards.
Summary – Why does my dog roll in stuff
Our domesticated pups may have retained several behaviours of their natural wild ancestors, so whatever the reason, whether it be leaving a scent behind, carrying a scent for communication, wearing a scent to mask themselves in nature, or just because it’s fun or is their favourite new perfume, get used to the odd “emergency” bath as part of the joys of doggy ownership.
If you’re ever concerned that your dog may be experiencing a skin problem or you’re troubled by your pup’s behaviour and cannot get on top of it, speak to your veterinary team who will be able to guide you.
Further Reading:
- Why Does My Dog Roll Around in Dead Things? – American Kennel Club.
- Why Do Dogs Roll In Poop? (And How To Stop It) – Canine Journal
- Why do dogs roll in poop? – Petplan
- Why Do Dogs Roll In Smelly Things? – PEDIGREE®
- Why do dogs roll in poop? – Hills Petcare
Discussion