Preventing Your Dog From Rolling Around in Dead Animals
It’s pretty gross to see your dog rolling around in dead animals, no matter how much fun he’s having. He might also roll around in some other dog’s poop (then you’ve really got a smelly dog on your hands). You may have even seen your dog eat poop that he’s rolled around in. Thankfully, you can take some steps to try and stop your dog from doing this in the first place so you can take a break from scrubbing the stinky stuff off at bathtime.
You may want to consider not letting him off-leash anymore or keeping him on a short leash, especially if you live in an area where there are wild animals like skunks, coyotes, and raccoons roaming around. Some wild prey animals carry rabies, fleas, and other parasites, so it could be dangerous for your dog if he encounters one of them alive or dead. Fence your dog in the yard, and, when you take him for walks, make sure you have a strong harness and leash on him.
It’s crucial to use positive reinforcement dog training to train your dog as well. Having a solid recall is essential. You can teach him to “come” using a clicker and treats. Every time he comes to you, praise him and give him a high-value treat. Pretty soon, he’ll learn how to come without needing a treat.
Try Raw Freeze Dried Beef & Liver Dog Treats, which are made with limited ingredients that are 100% natural and are grain-, filler-, and preservative-free. Since they are bite-sized, they are easy to carry around and perfect for training multiple commands.
He’s Showing Off to Other Dogs
If your pup is rolling around in dead animals or other gross things (like his own poop), he may want to signal to his canine friends that he’s found something interesting. He’s just trying to say to them, “There’s something near here that’s tasty!” by appealing to their sense of smell.
Behaviorists may argue that dogs like rolling around in dead animals because they’re marking their territory by leaving their scent behind. Dogs produce scents behind their ears as well as on their paw pads, so if your dog is scratching at a dead fish’s body or rolling his head around in it, then he could be marking. He could also mark it by urinating on it to signal to other dogs or the rest of the pack that the carcass is his.
When dogs roll around in animal carcasses, it may just be because they’re having fun. This rolling behavior could increase your doggie’s dopamine levels, which brings him pleasure. If your dog is also snorting while rolling around, then chances are, he’s having a blast.
Let’s say your dog has rolled around in an animal carcass, feces, or some other smelly stuff. As a pet parent, you’ll need to bathe him right away. Hose him down and use dog shampoo to get out the smell. Never use human shampoo, as it’s not formulated for dogs and could harm him.
Between baths, you can put baking soda on your dog’s fur and then let it sit for five minutes before brushing it out. Note that shampoo and baking soda will never fully eradicate your dog’s natural scent and that you should only bathe your pup when he needs it. Excessive bathing can result in your dog’s natural oils being stripped as well as itchy skin and a dull and dry coat. If your dog is very smelly or his hair is matted, you can always take him to a groomer for professional help.
How Can I Stop My Dog From Rolling In Dead Things?
You can stop your dog from rolling in dead things by utilizing basic obedience training, paying more attention to the pooch, or associating experiences your dog doesn’t like with this behavior.
Rather than having to spend precious time scrubbing your canine buddy to get rid of offensive smells, it’s best to be proactive and teach your pooch not to roll in dead things.
That said, some of the ways by which you can stop your dog from rolling in dead things include:
Why Do Dogs Roll in Smelly Stuff? | Dogs Rolling in Poop & Dead Animals
The behavior of rolling around in dead things and stinking up the home is one that continues to perplex dog parents, and there are several questions as to why dogs act this way. So, why do dogs roll in dead things?
Dogs roll around in dead things because this is an instinctive behavior that has been handed down through many canine generations as a means of communicating with other dogs or simply to seek their owners’ attention.
Rolling around in dead things is a mostly harmless gesture, but as suggested in the opening paragraph, there are times when this behavior can mean that your dog needs attention, and this is why dog parents should be able to determine why their pooch has been rubbing vigorously against dead animals.
Additionally, it can get pretty unpleasant having to deal with the unsavory smell of dead animals on your canine buddy, and steps to immediately get rid of this unpleasant smell, as well as effectively stop your fido from rolling around in dead things, are outlined in this article. Before we take a look at all this, however, let’s see why your dog has been rolling in dead things.