Why does my dog like to roll around in stuff that stinks?

Question

My dog is a german shorthair and she is a good hunting dog, but she likes to find the stinkiest most awfull smelling stuff in the neighborhood and roll around in it. .whya does she do this and how can i stop her?

Answer 1

Dogs roll in smelly stuff as a protective defence. It's sort of a camouflage so that other animals in the area will not pick up their scent.

For example when I go to cow fields with my dog,she rolls in the cow poo to make herself smell the same as the cows so they won't notice her real doggy scent. Same with horse poo.

In fact they'll often roll in anything to make themselves smell of what ever is in the area!

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

She wants to attract a male. It's the natural perfume of the canine species. Cats do it; so do different other varmints. But, actually, its the mystery of the ages. Why do we want to stink from deodorants, etc. Sometimes, I surmise, there is something that occurs naturally in a dog's skin that needs to be treated by the stink of other dogs' fecal matter, discarded trash and just about anything they can find. Or maybe they're just trying to tell us that they need a bath. If you find the answer, let me know. It's a puzzle.

Answer 3

especially when hunting, canines will roll around in the poop of their prey. This makes them practically undetectable as an enemy. My dog runs off into the bush once in a blue moon, and she comes back covered in this black crappy substance of probably rotted deer manure, it smells so bad it takes days to get rid of it. dog shampoo helps. Or that stuff called mane and tail

Answer 4

A dogs natural instinct is to hunt, especially a hunting dog like yours. When they roll in stinky smelling stuff (ie poop, dead carcasses, etc) they are trying to mask their smell so they can sneak up on their prey without being detected.

Answer 5

The dogs like to add to their own scent. I don't know if there is a good reason for it, but I do know that their scent is a big deal to them. Maybe it smells good to them. When they smell something gross they act like it is catnip or something and freak out and then roll around in it like it is the best thing in the world. I know that is a reason dogs dont like baths- they hate to lose their scent. It's like they dont recognize themselves or something like that. It's as much an essential to them as our own scent- we just prefer to smell good. Who knows... they might think we stink. *shrugs* AS for how to stop it... good luck. Let me know if you find anything!

Answer 6

One of my dogs does that too, right after a bath ticks me off. I've heard they don't like the smell of the shampoos/perfumes. They prefer the smell of the s**t they're rolling in.........Smells good to them.

Answer 7

Dogs will roll around in ANY kind of poo, not just fox. They are probably trying to mask their own scent from that of their prey.

Answer 8

dogs think it smells good...think about it, it is like perfume to them. Other dogs will be more attracted to them...I've had a family's "pack" of dogs roll around on a deer carrcus...just how they are...You could stop her but controlling your dog.

Answer 9

You can not stop her. It is instinct. I used to know the answer to why but I do remember exactly. I think it has to do with her try to over power the smell with her own scent. If you watch how she does it she rubbing scent gland not just rolling

Answer 10

Its cat poop!!
I do not Know why but all my dogs in my life find it and roll in it...Just keep her on a leash and when she finds it pull her away