Why Dogs Roll in Poop (and Other Smelly Things)

Dog behaviorists can tell us why your dog gnaws your shoes (nerves or boredom), chases squirrels (because it's fun), and "runs" in his sleep (he's dreaming). But there are some behaviors that leave even the most experienced scientists scratching their heads. That includes one of the most perplexing dog hobbies: rolling in stinky things. From dead fish to poop, some dogs just like to cover themselves in odiferous smells that leave their owner gasping in wrinkly-nosed disgust. Whether you understand or not, here's how to cope.

Why Dogs Roll In Poop

While there's no definitive answer, there are many theories about why dogs roll in poop and other smelly things. Mother Nature Network has laid out the most popular theories, including these two:

• Your dog is trying to hide his own smell: The ancestors of your couch potato didn't get kibble in their bowls twice a day; instead, they had to hunt to survive. By rolling in their prey's smell — or its available poop — they could hide their own scent and approach dinner without scaring it away. Your dog is simply obeying an ancestral instinct that has been passed down for thousands of years.
• Your dog is communicating with his "pack": By rolling around in a smelly mess, your dog can communicate with the rest of the pack (maybe just you) about this awesome thing (could it be food?!) that he has found. This theory plays out at the Wolf Park research facility in Indiana, where a research associate told Mother Nature Network that after sniffing a packmate that has rolled in something, other wolves have been spotted following that scent back to its origin. This helps with hunting: by understanding where their prey has been, wolves can better track their prey.
• Your dog is leaving his own scent behind: As BBC Earth proposes, your dog might actually be trying to leave his own scent behind. This falls in-line with another dog behavior: marking. We're all familiar with the image of a dog urinating on everything, especially right after another dog has done so. This is often assumed to be a territorial behavior to let other dogs and animals know that this is your dog's area. It could also be as simple as communication to other dogs that your dog has been there and investigated the smelly odor.

Slowing the Roll

No matter the reason, you probably just want your dog to stop this maddening activity that brings him so much joy and you so much grimy carpet. So how can you halt this behavior? You likely won't be able to curb whatever instinct is driving your dog, but you can limit his opportunities.

When you're on a walk, keep your dog on a leash in places where you know he's likely to stop, drop and roll. Pick up poop in your yard as soon as your rolling-happy dog does his business, and keep an eye out for dead animals, mud or other hazards. You can also teach your dog to obey a basic command like "leave it" or "come" that will lure him toward positive attention instead of messes.

Dogs also have a knack for getting into garbage. While most of the time this is because they are looking for an extra snack you might have thrown away, they are not above rolling around in the garbage, especially if it is particularly stinky. Make sure to secure your trash cans so that your dog cannot get into them to help prevent smelling stinky garbage everywhere your dog decides to go in the house after.

The Stink Is Up. Now What?

As hard as you try, sometimes one whiff tells you your dog found his way to his super stinky happy place when you weren't paying attention. You're going to have to clothespin your nose and lather him up. There are odor-neutralizing shampoos on the market, some of which include orange oil (recognized as a safe deodorizer and degreaser for malodorous mutts).

Another option is to mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and a gentle liquid dish soap in a metal bowl. Bathe your dog in the mixture, but be careful to avoid his eyes because it can burn. Rinse the dog very well when you're done. This home remedy was actually proven to work on an old episode of MythBusters.

If your dog likes to come home smelling like poo-fume rather than perfume, we're sorry. But you can overcome this stinky situation by paying close attention to your pup outdoors and keeping pet-safe cleaning supplies on hand. After all, stinky dogs deserve love, too.

Contributor Bio

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie.