Ever been out on a beautiful walk with your dog, everything going perfectly, untilโboomโyour furry friend drops to the ground and starts rolling in something that smells awful?
If youโre anything like me, youโve probably wondered, โWhy on earth do they do this?!โ Trust me, youโre not alone. This behavior, while puzzling to us, is all part of your dog’s natural instincts.
Today, I will break down why dogs love to roll in the stinkiest things they can find and how we, as owners, can deal with it.
1. Instincts from Their Wild Ancestors
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Dogs have a habit of clinging to certain behaviors passed down from their wild ancestors. One of these instincts is rolling in pungent, smelly stuff like manure or dead animals.
Back when wolves roamed wild, this behavior helped them mask their scent to better sneak up on prey. It allowed them to disguise themselves, increasing their chances of a successful hunt.
Even though your couch-loving, kibble-eating dog doesnโt need to hunt anymore, the instinct is still there.
That natural urge to roll in something strong-smelling may seem gross to us, but to dogs, it’s a deeply ingrained survival technique.
For those looking to work on addressing similar behavioral challenges, programs like dog training Denton provide structured approaches to help manage unwanted behaviors while improving overall obedience.
2. Social Signals and Communication
Your dog might not just be rolling in something smelly to camouflage themselves. They could be trying to send a message.
Dogs communicate largely through their sense of smell, and rolling in something stinky is a way for them to carry that scent around with them.
Imagine your dog coming back from a walk smelling like garbageโitโs like theyโre bringing back “news” for the rest of the pack.
Other dogs can sniff out where they’ve been, what theyโve encountered, and maybe even whatโs going on in the environment. It’s almost like dogs wear different โperfumesโ to say, “Check out what I found today!”
3. It Feels Great (to Them)
Believe it or not, rolling in smelly stuff might simply feel amazing to your dog. Kind of like how we might enjoy a bath with fancy oils or a good massage.
Except, instead of lavender bath salts, they enjoy a rotting fish odor, apparently.
Dogs experience the world through their noses, and the intense sensory stimulation they get from rolling in something smelly could give them a lot of pleasure. For them, itโs not just about the scent but the whole experience.
Some experts even believe rolling in a strong odor can trigger the release of dopamineโthe “feel-good” chemical in the brain.
So, yep, your dog might be feeling a wave of happiness while you gag at the stench.
4. Masking Their Own Scent
On top of that ancestral instinct to hunt, masking their own scent might have another purpose. It could help them hide from predators, just as some spiders rely on camouflage to avoid becoming prey.
While your adorable furball likely wonโt need to dodge any dangerous wild animals in the backyard, that instinct to cover up their own smell with something else hasnโt disappeared.
Dogs may try to replace their natural odor with something stronger or more neutral in order to blend into their environment.
This was particularly useful in the wild but has less relevance in your living room. Still, itโs an impulse thatโs hardwired into them.
5. Seeking Attention (and Learning How to Get It)
Dogs are incredibly observant. They know how to push our buttons in all the right ways. Some dogs might roll in something smelly simply because theyโve learned it gets your attention.
It doesnโt even have to be the “good” kind of attention. A dog doesnโt care if you’re laughing, scolding, or pulling them awayโif they’re getting interaction, they may consider it a win.
Iโve noticed with my own dog, the more dramatic my reaction, the more likely they are to do it again. They learn that rolling in stinky things is a surefire way to get you talking (even if itโs just to yell โNo!โ). Dogs crave our attention, and if that means turning into a walking stink bomb, so be it.
6. Rolling as Stress Relief
Not every dog rolls in smelly things just for the fun of it. Some might be doing it as a form of stress relief. In moments of anxiety or nervousness, the act of rolling around in something strong-smelling might bring a sense of comfort.
Think of it as their way of self-soothing. Similar to how humans sometimes develop certain coping mechanisms, dogs can use certain behaviors to calm themselves down.
The smell and the physical action might help them feel more secure when theyโre feeling anxious or uncertain.
7. Curiosity and Information Gathering
Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and their sense of smell is their primary tool for exploring the world. Rolling in strong odors might be a way to gather even more information about a particular scent.
Every whiff tells them something about their environmentโother animals that have been in the area, food sources, or maybe even something as specific as another dogโs territory.
While we humans rely mostly on sight, dogs depend heavily on their sense of smell. So, when they dive nose-first into something rank, itโs their version of exploring the world more deeply.
How Can You Stop It?
Letโs be real: you probably wonโt be able to fully eliminate this behavior. But there are some ways to manage it and limit the number of smelly surprises youโll have to deal with.
Use a Leash
One of the simplest methods is keeping your dog on a leash during walks, especially in areas where theyโre likely to encounter stinky substances (like parks with lots of wildlife).
If you spot your dog zeroing in on something suspicious, a quick tug on the leash can redirect them.
Train Them with Commands
Teaching commands like โleave itโ or โcomeโ can be game-changers. If you spot your dog getting a little too curious about a nasty patch of something, calling them back before they roll is key.
Clean Thoroughly
When all else fails, and your dog does manage to roll in something horrible, itโs time for a bath. Use an odor-neutralizing shampoo designed for dogs, and try to clean them as thoroughly as possible.
Iโve found that a double wash is sometimes necessaryโonce to get the initial stink off and another to leave them smelling fresh.
But be warnedโyour dog might not love the “clean” scent afterward. They could be plotting their next smelly adventure as soon as you towel them off!
Final Thoughts
Why dogs love to roll around in things that smell repulsive https://t.co/LeJKAoGSTP pic.twitter.com/PLM8BgDBjP
โ NYT Science (@NYTScience) October 15, 2016
If thereโs one thing Iโve learned, itโs that rolling in smelly stuff is just part of being a dog. As frustrating as it can be for us humans, itโs completely natural for them. From instincts passed down by wolves to their need for sensory stimulation, thereโs always a reason behind it.
As dog owners, itโs all about managing the behavior in a way that works for both us and our furry companions.
It doesnโt matter if itโs teaching commands, using a leash, or accepting the occasional smelly mishap, we can take steps to prevent (or at least minimize) their rolling escapades.
Just remember, even though they come home stinky sometimes, theyโre just being their curious, instinct-driven, lovable selves.
