Why Does My Dog Roll In Things That Smell?

My dog smells!

Have you been on a walk with your dog and he runs off to pick the smelliest thing possible to roll around in? Don’t worry its normal!

We’re not sure why exactly dogs do it, but when they smell something that may smell bad to us; they have a tendency to roll in it.

Why do dogs roll in foul smelling things?

Maybe it is because they want to mask their scent just as their ancestors, the wolves do. Wolves roll in decomposing carcasses or the feces of herbivores to disguise themselves. By covering up their odors, their prey will not be alarmed by their scent allowing them to sneak up on their pretty and having a better chance at making a kill.

Another reason for dogs rolling around in things that have a strong odor is to tell their pack mates where they’ve been and what they’ve encountered in their adventures.

How do I prevent my dog from bringing home the smelly odor? Remember, rolling around in something that is smelly is a natural action for your dog. You should not punish your dog for this behavior but you can discourage him from doing it with these tips:

• If your dog rolls around in his own feces, immediately clean him up in your yard.
• Keep your dog on a short leash when walking him to prevent him from rolling around in other dog’s poop or other smelly things.
• You can also try making a loud or sudden noise when your dog starts to roll in something smelly. He will start to associate rolling around with the unpleasant experience of the noise you make.

Of course, if your dog rolls around in something foul smelling, the easiest way to eliminate the odor is to sprinkle Clear the Air’s Pet Odor Eliminator directly on his coat. It is non-toxic and 100% all natural.