Leading Theories on Why Dogs Roll in Dead Things

• Dogs may roll in dead animals to brag to other dogs, mark their territory, hide their scent, or “smell good.”
• Keep your pup on a leash and practice recall cues to prevent them from rolling in things they shouldn’t.
• Bathe your dog immediately with a fragrant degreasing dog shampoo if they roll in a dead animal.

Why do dogs roll in dead stuff?

To mark their territory. If a dog spots a dead animal, they’ll likely roll in it out of instinct. Your pup’s ancestors used to roll in their killed prey to tell other animals to stay away and put their scent on the carcass. Basically, finders keepers!

To mask their scent. In the wild, dogs (especially wolves) have to kill their own food. Before they go hunting, they’ll roll around on a dead animal to cover their own scent, making it easier to sneak up on their prey This is called scent-camouflage and is all a part of your pup’s natural instincts.

To show off to other dogs. Your pup may be rolling around in an animal carcass to let the neighborhood dogs know they’re in charge. Carrying the scent of a recently deceased animal is like wearing a medal for a dog. This is their way of saying, “Look what I caught! Don’t mess with me!” (even if they weren’t the ones to kill the animal).

To say, “This smells good!” Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons a dog rolls in dead animals is because they love the smell. Yep, you read that right. The stronger the dead animal smell, the more likely your dog will roll in it. To them, it’s simply perfume! This doesn’t just apply to dead animals. Your dog might think garbage or poop is the best-smelling cologne.

How to Stop Your Dog From Rolling in Things

Work on recall. Recall is when your dog comes back to you when you call their name. Learning this skill can be useful for many reasons, including getting your dog out of a smelly situation. Teach your dog how to recall by playing hide-and-seek while saying “come” or rewarding them with a desirable treat. Try not to repeat yourself when training your dog. Instead, use strong and loud one-word cues like “come” or “here” to get their attention. Practice recalls daily with your dog, even if you’re just calling them from the other side of the room. Remember, practice makes perfect. Avoid chasing your dog when practicing recalls. Stay still and let your pup come to you, even if it takes a few tries.

Leash train your dog. Keep your dog on a shorter leash when you go on walks if you know they’re prone to diving into smelly things. Train your furry friend to walk beside you by using treats as an incentive. Simply place some treats in the hand above your dog’s head while holding the leash’s handle in the other. Take a step, stop, give them a treat, and repeat. If your dog starts to pull away, stop walking and call them back before starting again. Take more steps between each treat to help your pup walk further. If they start to lose focus, try talking to them with praising words like, “Good boy/girl!” or “Let’s walk.”

Fence in your yard. If your dog is prone to running off and getting into mischief, consider fencing in your yard to keep them near the house. This is also a great idea if you live in a densely wooded area with poisonous plants or larger wild animals like bears. Try to clean up your dog’s poop right away if they wander around a fenced yard. This way, they won’t be tempted to roll in their own stinky waste. Put plenty of toys in your backyard to keep your pup occupied while they’re outside. Tennis balls, tug-of-war ropes, and chew toys are great options. Make sure there are no tomato plants, daffodils, sago palms, or ivy inside the fence where your pup plays, as these plants are toxic to dogs.

Cleaning a Stinky Dog

Bathe your dog right away if they roll in something smelly. The foul smell of dead animals, poop, or garbage can certainly make your eyes water! But before you run for the hills, call your pup over and hold your breath. The sooner you wash them, the sooner that stench will get out of their fur. Use a hose to rinse the initial stink off your pup outside before bringing them into an indoor sink or shower. If you have an outdoor bathing area, that’s great! If not, this additional step can help minimize the smell brought inside. Opt for a dog shampoo with deodorizing and degreasing properties, like Buddy Wash Rosemary and Mint or Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo. Let the suds soak into your pet’s fur for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Try distracting them by smearing a spoonful of peanut butter on the side of the tub so they stay put. Sprinkle your pup with baking soda in between baths to absorb any lingering odor and oils. Brush their coat, then massage the powder in—think of it as a dog-friendly dry shampoo.

What if a dog eats a dead animal?

Contact your vet immediately if your dog eats a dead animal. Animals can carry diseases, dead or alive, that could harm your dog. To be safe, always call your vet or an emergency animal clinic if you think your dog ingested any part of a dead animal. Dogs can contract the bird flu if exposed to a sick or dead bird with the virus, which can cause diarrhea and loss of appetite. If the dead animal ate poison (like rate or mouse pesticide), it could transfer to your dog and cause vomiting and muscle spasms. Bacterial infections, like leptospirosis and salmonella, can be transferred if your dog eats raw, infected meat. Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and coccidia, are common if your dog consumes any part of the carcass.