Do you struggle to keep your curious canine away from piles of poop on your morning walks? Like many other dogs, your furry friend is likely fascinated by waste from other animals. Sounds pretty gross, right?
You probably aren’t keen on your dog being covered in the fecal matter of another dog. But just how do you break this gross behavior?
Key Takeaways
- Rolling in poop is considered to be a normal (but nonetheless stinky) behavior for dogs.
- Dogs roll in poop because they like the smell, to mask their scent, or to mark their territory, among other possible reasons.
- To get your dog to stop rolling in feces, keep them on a leash or teach them a “leave it” command.
Keep reading to learn more!
See Related: Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea To Help Your Furry Friend Feel Better
Is It Normal For Dogs to Roll in Feces?
It’s certainly not a good look. Rolling in poop is stinky, unhygienic, and downright gross. However, rolling in poop is a pretty common dog behavior.
Regardless, we’d agree that it’s far from sanitary. You’re probably not enthused to cuddle your four-legged friend after you just watched them roll in random feces. They also seem to indulge at the worst possible time, whether that be after a soapy bath or before company arrives.
Why Do Dogs Roll in Poop?
As a human, your dog may have a few odd habits that leave you scratching your head. From eating cat litter to rolling in poop, this list is seemingly endless!
#1. They Like the Smell
There’s no definitive answer on why dogs roll in poop. After all, we can’t exactly ask dogs this million-dollar question. However, there are a few possible explanations for this stinky behavior.
The first (and most likely) is that they simply like the smell. This might be hard to accept as a well-groomed human, but dogs are accustomed to different scents than we are. To your curious canine, fecal matter is like a luxury perfume.
You might not notice, but your four-legged friend is likely spending a great deal of time and energy on your morning walks seeking out different smells. If they find something they deem appealing, they’ll try to roll in it. It might be poop, dead animals, or garbage.
If it has a strong scent, it’s fair game!
#2. They Are Masking Their Own Natural Scent.
Wild dogs and domestic dogs alike often roll in poop or other strong smells to mask their own scent. This is an evolutionary behavior that was passed down from their wild ancestors. Wolves often mask their scent to conceal their presence, allowing them to take their prey by surprise.
Grey foxes have been observed rubbing their faces and necks in the fecal matter of larger predators like pumas. This is a form of olfactory deception that would deter other potential predators like coyotes, who often prey upon grey foxes.
#3. They Are Marking Their Territory
Scent marking is a possible explanation for why our furry friends like to roll in poop. Pack animals like dogs often mark their territory to communicate with their pack mates. Rolling in feces or urinating on things is a way to do just that.
#4. They Are Delivering a Message to Their Pack
Scent rolling is a way that dogs can communicate with pack mates (or, in this case, their pet parents.) This “perfume” is a story of the places they’ve been – a dog version of a social media post, in a sense. Depending on the scent, rolling in smelly things can alert their pack mates to predators or food sources.
Bonus: National Dog Day: When Is It and How to Celebrate
How Can I Stop My Dog From Rolling in Poop?
What should you do if your dog rolls in poop? As a pet parent, you might not know the answer to this million-dollar question.
Unfortunately, rolling in poop and other smelly stuff is a perfectly normal dog behavior. There’s not much you can do to break this habit, as it’s an age-old behavior passed down from generation to generation. However, there are a few things you can try to help minimize their chances of rolling in poop.
Keep Them on a Leash
On-leash, this can be pretty straightforward. Simply lead your curious companion away from any smelly things, whether that be their own poop or an animal carcass. Easy peasy!
Teach Them a ”Leave It” Command
Many dog owners teach their four-legged friend a “leave it” command. This command can be used to steer your furry friend away from pet waste and other stinky stuff.
This usually starts with training using a sock or another object that is interesting but off-limits. Positive reinforcement using treats or toys can help them learn this command. Once they’ve mastered it, you can use it when your dog is off-leash and wistfully sniffing something they shouldn’t be.
A great way to reduce the opportunity for your dog to roll in poop is to book a pet waste management team. At Scoop Masters, we will come to your yard and remove any pet waste from your grassy lawn so that there’s nothing smelly for your dog to roll in!
Final Thoughts
Your four-legged friend might be a fan of rolling in poop and other smelly things. But that doesn’t mean you are – after all, what pet parent likes having a dog covered in fecal matter?!
With the information covered in this article in your back pocket, you’ll be better prepared to handle it the next time your canine companion tries to roll in poop.
Keep Reading: 4 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Pooping So Much
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Scoop Masters offers professional dog waste removal services in Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and California. Since 1988, we’ve saved dog owners across the country from the overly unpleasant task of picking up after their pets. Each poopy project we complete gives them the freedom, convenience, and sanitation they deserve! Contact us for a free quote, or simply stock up on enough dog poop bags to keep your pet’s number twos at bay. To stay in the loop, follow up on Facebook and Twitter/X. If your dog can poop it, we can scoop it!
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