This behavior you observe isn’t just limited to dead things but extends to poops, worms, and even the slightest hint of anything that oozes revulsion and nausea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
You may wonder, why is an adorable and beautiful creature as Fido attracted to such abhorrence?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Well, follow along as we unravel the science behind intricacies that trail the attachment between dogs and carcasses, poops, goos, dead things\u2014everything that disgusts you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Why Do Dogs Roll In Dead Animals?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It defies logic and every bit of reason for beautiful and intelligent creatures as dogs to be attracted to something disgusting such as dead things.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This has thus led dog owners to continually ask over the years, “why do dogs roll in dead things?” \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Canine behaviorists have projected several reasons why such behavior is expected in dogs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Explained in detail are some of the reasons why dogs roll in dead animals.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Inherited from wolf ancestors\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
For those familiar with primary canine genetic ancestry, it would come as no surprise that dogs are descendants of wolves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dogs have been referred to as domesticated wolves. Thus it is not uncommon for dogs such as the Siberian Husky to have a striking resemblance to wolves<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Dogs’ ancestry to wolves does not only manifest in their genes but also behaviors. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And one of such behaviors, yes, you guessed right, is dogs rolling in dead things.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This behavior is known as ‘scent rolling,’ typically seen in wolves who engage in it to mask their scent, thereby making it easier to hunt prey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Your pooch most likely rolls in dead things to mask its scent, a behavior that traces to its ancestors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Aside from rolling in dead things to mask their scent, wolves move dead things to communicate to pack mates about the food available for scavenging.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Similarly, your dogs most likely roll in dead things to communicate to other dogs, but in their case, not to scavenge, but rather that it has found something interesting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This is done because your dog is aware that other dogs are attracted to such smells, which may show. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As revealed by Texas veterinarian and DogLab consultant Sara Ochoa, DVM, dogs are generally attracted to vile and disgusting smells such as poops and dead things.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You may wonder why your dog would be attracted to foul-smelling things rather than pleasant smelling shampoos?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Well, it is just a matter of nature and instincts as dogs use foul smells as a means of communication.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Hence being attracted to such smell has to be with either sending a message or decoding one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Dogs are quick to mark their territory as one of the most territorial domesticated animals; they communicate to other pooches, not encroach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n They do so in several ways, but the most common and effective is marking their territory with their smell.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While some dogs do so by urinating in the designated region is seen as the most effective, transferring their scent does the same job.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Dogs’ scents are generated under the paws and the ears, and as a result, when dogs transfer their scent, they scratch with their paws and rub their faces. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So when your dogs roll in dead animals, it signals to other dogs that the territory is marked and belongs to it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While there are several reasons why dogs roll in dead things, the fact that doing so may be a sign of unemotional distress cannot be dismissed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Dogs enjoy attention from their owners; in fact, they are eager to please their owners as they cherish this attention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If they are starved of such attention engaging in behavior such as rolling in dead things is a sign of being stressed or lonely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If this behavior extends consistently for a duration, actions should be taken to prevent such. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Whichever theory you seem to believe to be why you think your dog rolls in dead animals, one thing is sure; you want an end to this behavior.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But before that, here are actions to be taken immediately after your dog rolls in dead stuff.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While your immediate concern is getting your dog rid of the foul smell, it is important to brush your dog before bathing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Brushing first using a brush that suits your dog’s fur will eliminate any foul-smelling debris or particles, stickers on your dog’s coat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The most effective way of getting the foul smell off your dog is by washing it with shampoo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A degreasing dog-friendly shampoo will do the trick. Ensure the shampoo sits on your pooch fur for a considerable amount of time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Avoid using fragrance on your dog while using shampoo as it makes your mutt uncomfortable.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you are not satisfied after leaving the shampoo after a considerable period, it is okay to reapply. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Rinsing is the most important part of eliminating nasty smells from your mutts. Rinse the foamy shampoo off your dog thoroughly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It is recommended you rinse your dog’s coats thoroughly to the point where you can hear a squeak.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While dogs rolling in dead things is inherent and something they have a close affinity for, there are ways to prevent them from engaging in such behavior.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Being one of the most intelligent creatures on earth, consistent training and applying the highlighted steps below will prevent your dogs from rolling in dead things.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2. Your dog is communicating with other dogs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. They are attracted to such a smell<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Territory Marking\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Cry for attention\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What Can I do if my Dog Rolls in a Dead Animal?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/puplore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dog-Rolling-on-Grass-with-Possibly-Dead-Things.jpg\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Brush thoroughly\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Shampoo<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Rinsing<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How Can I Prevent My Dog from Rolling in Dead Things, Animals & Poops?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n