We know that dogs have 300 million scent receptors. However, it does not naturally imply that he’ll have a superior understanding of what smells good and what does not when compared to human beings. As a dog owner, it can be quite repulsive when your pet comes back to you, after a good roll in poop, making you question the reason behind this disgusting tendency of theirs. Read on to find out more about your canine’s poop loving.
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The Reasons Your Dog Loves Being Covered in Poop
Yes, it is unpleasant, and you wish this could stop forever. But, it is instinctive for dogs to be covered in poop most of the time. Below are a couple of reasons why your pet likes to smell like poop. Keep in mind that these reasons are only based on near guesses.
1. Dogs Roll in Poop as A Sort of “Social Boasting”
Dogs think that rolling in feces can help them gain the respect of their canine counterparts. It should be remembered that they don’t view poop in the same manner as human beings. The bragging here refers to them signaling other dogs that they had found something interesting (albeit, poopy). We already know that dogs communicate via barking. In addition to that, they also send sensory messages through their smell and what can be better than the strong, pungent smell of animal poop.
2. This Could Be A Way Of Masking Their Own Scents
This is the most common theory of all. A dog rolling in poop may look nasty and basic, but they are actually quite sly. A lot is happening here.
Firstly, when your dog has had a good roll, he acquires the disgusting poop smell. Now, this smell will be similar to that of the animal depositing the feces.
Secondly, the dog also leaves his scent on the poop. In the first instance, the dog masks his scent. It is said to be an instinct for them. Years ago, when dogs had to hunt for food, they used to roll in feces to manipulate their prey into thinking that there wasn’t any looming danger. This made it easier for the dogs to attack and kill them. The prey would’ve run away if the scents hadn’t been masked. In the second instance, the dog expresses ownership and establishes dominance, well at least that is what they think.
3. They Do It To Attain A Scent Which They Find Appropriate
No matter how many strawberry-smelling bath products dog owners may use to make their dog smell sweet and fresh, if the dog does not associate as appropriate, he would want to remove the smell. Dogs are of a different species from a human being, which affects their sense of smell as well. Human beings are known to like floral or fruity smells. This is because fruits and flowers have been a massive part of our entire evolution. Now, dogs are pack animals, being hunters at heart. They will be attracted to pungent and similar smelling items. It’s is also why dogs don’t like taking baths and if forced too, would want to get off the smell.
4. A Sort of a Self-Grooming Procedure
Dogs want to get rid of dead, matted hair and want to get rid fast. They view rolling over stuff as a convenient, quick method to remove it from their undercoats. And poop is just that for them, the stinky smell acting as an added benefit. You may use different fancy combs and brushes to help get out the dead hair, but at the end of the day, canines view poop rolling as the most attractive and useful method for it.
5. They Think That You’ll Be More Impressed with Them
This is as funny as it sounds. Dogs identify feces smell with cologne and perfume or in other words, and what perfume is for you, poop is for them. Dogs think that you’ll like them better after a good rolling in poop or dirt. They just want to impress their owners and have no idea that what they think the owners will like, is, in fact, repulsive to them. (naivety at its best.). It could be a challenge for you to join along in the party.
How You Can Control Your Dog from Rolling in Poop
One of the main reasons to stop your dog from rolling in poop is because of the health problems it can lead to. Of course, in addition to the act being really gross. Feces contain bacteria which may make your dog sick and sometimes, they may even view it as food and eat it. Here are some ways in which you can control your pet from doing so:
1. Training your dog to not roll in poop. This requires patience but is the most effective method in the long run. Use commands and hand gestures to signal him not to roll. Always pet them or give them treats after they listen to you. This will help them understand that not rolling in feces will help them get their human’s affection and dog treats. Bribes do work, yes.
2. If you have a backyard where you store manure, you should try masking its scent. Use perfumed sprays or try covering the containers to reduce the intensity of the smell. This method isn’t really that effective due to the sharp smell senses of our canine pets, but you can try.
3. When taking your dogs out for walks, keep an eye on them always to prevent any rolling. It’s better to keep a leash on them.
All in all, dog owners should try to limit the exposure to foul-smelling things in order not to trigger the stimuli and to train your dog to control their poop fetish. Remember, good things come with patience.
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Conclusion
That Is Just How Dogs Roll As discussed above, dogs have their own reason for rolling in poop. It is natural for them in nearly all cases, and there really isn’t much you can do to stop it. You can minimize the frequency, but not really eradicate it entirely. Dogs have so many qualities that getting used to one small, stinky vice may not seem much. Well, at least you can try.