Why Does My Dog Roll in Smelly Things?

You have just given your dog a bath. Their coat is clean, soft, and smells fresh. Then, as soon as they get outside, they find something smelly and start rolling in it. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many dogs seem to have a special talent for finding the smelliest thing around.

While it can be confusing and frustrating, this behaviour is surprisingly normal. Many dogs do it because of their natural instincts, their interest in unfamiliar scents, or their desire to explore their surroundings.

While the exact reasons are not fully understood, there are several possible explanations for this behaviour. In this blog, we’ll explore these possibilities along with some practical steps you can take to stop your dog from getting dirty again.

Why Do Dogs Roll in Smelly Things?

Here are a few reasons why dogs like rolling in smelly things like poop and garbage.

It may be a natural instinct.

Rolling in strong smells may be an instinct that dogs inherited from their wild ancestors. Researchers do not know this for certain, but have suggested several possible reasons for this behaviour.

It may have helped disguise their own scent to hide from predators or to sneak up on prey. Also, it could be their way of communicating with other dogs by leaving their own scent behind.

Even though your dog does not need to use this behaviour now for survival, it’s possible that some instinctive tendencies may still persist.

They may simply enjoy it.

What smells terrible to you may be fascinating to your dog. Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. They use their noses to explore and understand their surroundings.

A strong scent from grass, soil, animal droppings, or other organic material can grab their attention. Rolling in it may simply be your dog's way to enjoy investigating that interesting smell.

They want to restore their natural scent.

A bath removes dirt, natural oils, and other smells from your dog's coat. Moreover, certain shampoos change the way your dog’s coat smells.

Rolling on grass, soil or another familiar surface may help them pick up scents from their surroundings again. This does not necessarily mean your dog hates baths. They may simply prefer their familiar scent.

But what can you do about it?

How Can You Stop Your Dog from Rolling in Smelly Things?

You may not be able to stop the behaviour completely, but here are a few ways that may help you reduce it.

Supervise your dog after a bath: Keep an eye on them when they first go outside. If you know where they like to roll, guide them away from those areas.

Teach a “leave it” cue: Positive training can help your dog learn to move away from something tempting. Reward them when they respond correctly.

Keep your yard clean: Regularly remove animal droppings, rubbish, and other strong-smelling materials from areas your dog can access.

Give them time to sniff: Dogs need opportunities to explore smells. Letting them sniff during walks can provide mental stimulation without allowing them to roll in unpleasant substances.

Choose an unscented shampoo: Use a unscented or fragrance-free dog-safe shampoo that suits your pet's skin and coat. If your dog has sensitive skin, speak with your veterinarian about suitable grooming products.

Parting Words

Your dog's decision to roll in something smelly right, especially after a bath may seem disgusting, but it is usually just normal dog behaviour. However, rolling in stinky stuff accompanied by frequent rubbing, persistent scratching, redness, sores, or hair loss may indicate skin irritation or another problem that needs veterinary attention.

With supervision, training, and a clean outdoor environment, you can reduce the chances of your dog rolling in gross stuff. And sometimes, despite your best efforts, your dog will simply find a way, and that’s okay.