Dog Community

Dog Rolling in S**t!!

Posted : 4/7/2007 12:36:25 PM

My 11mnth old cocker spaniel has started rolling in s**t, of any kind!! Horse, cow u name it if he gets the chance he rolls in it!! Does anybody else have this problem and does anyone know why they do it! Im running out of shampoo!![

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tzumommy

Posted : 4/7/2007 12:44:30 PM

[&:] Unfortunately, it is quite common...

I have read that dogs in the wild (those that hunt and kill for their meals) roll in the poo of their prey to mask their own scent so that the prey wouldn't smell them as easily.

I don't know what other reasons there are, but I'm sure someone here may have a suggestion to manage the behavior.

Or maybe he just doesn't like the brand of shampoo you are using and thinks the poo smells better[

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Cita

Posted : 4/7/2007 2:06:47 PM

Mine loves, loves, loves horse/goose/duck poop. The greener and stain-ing-er, the better! [&:]

seashell

Posted : 4/7/2007 3:47:30 PM

Keep doggie wet-wipes on hand so that you don't need to overbathe the dog. It can dry out their skin.
I have no idea how to fix it, I just try to prevent it from happening.

Abbi wants me to add that she would love to smell the poo, but that she prefers goose poop.

willowchow

Posted : 4/7/2007 4:22:56 PM

I would do everything possible to limit that from continuing to happen. A leash or whatever it takes. If the dog is sniffing the same spot for too long it's time to move them along. I've been here a long time and many people have come and gone posting about the difference illnesses their dogs picked up from things like duck poop, etc.

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/8/2007 2:14:32 PM

Teach "leave it", and "come", and it will be less of a problem. [

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Rodrigo Trigosso

Posted : 4/8/2007 6:52:22 PM

Many dogs love to roll in s**t. Some ethologists think that this behavior may be useful to hide their own odor from preys or predators. However, as far as I know, the causes are unclear yet.

The best thing you can do is to prevent the behavior from happening.

Spiritdogs suggested to teach "leave it" and "come". Great advice. "Leave it" is the most important command/cue to prevent this behavior (as well as others). Fully trained it means "leave it and come", but it's Ok if your dog just leaves the thing that captures his attention. Thus, you can redirect his behavior to a different thing (maybe to chew a toy).

Cita

Posted : 4/8/2007 7:51:13 PM

Also, as I learned the hard way, while walking around a duck pond don't take your eyes off your dog for one second. Amazing how quickly they can find the biggest poop pile around and squish it deeply into their fur! And boy, does that poop blend in with the grass...

Jennifer Goble

Posted : 4/10/2007 8:06:11 PM

Mine loves horse poop. She was down on it in an instant! So far she has not gone for goose, rabbit or other dog poop yet. I do move her along quickly whenever she finds a pile of poop to sniff.

Jakepuppy11

Posted : 4/12/2007 7:31:47 PM

Unfortunately, my dog doesn't roll in it, he eats it

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