There isn’t a whole lot we can do to stop dogs from rolling in death.
Simply because it’s their natural instinct to do so.
We can use positive reinforcement training and the “leave it” command to do what we can to prevent them from rolling. I know I don’t want that smell around!
Why Do Dogs Roll On Dead Worms/Animals?
Dogs simply love the smell of death, whether it be worms, dead carcasses, cockroaches, or other small rodents. They will roll on all of these for a multitude of reasons. The main reason is that they want to smell like that smell too. It’s like shopping around for a good perfume.
Not only do they love it, but they also want to make the other dogs jealous and show off their brand-new scent. All of this can be dated back to their ancestors, the wolves. Wolves would often use the smell of death to mask their scent during a hunt.
How Can I Stop The Dog From Rolling On Worms?
Dogs rolling on worms is much more common than you might expect. Teaching your dog the LEAVE IT command is the most effective way of stopping your dog from rolling on worms. Because let’s face it, worms are everywhere! We can’t get rid of the worms so we must teach the dogs to stay away from the worms.
Is It Ok For My Dog To Eat Dead Worms? Are Worms Poisonous To Dogs?
Grubs and earthworms are not particularly dangerous or poisonous for your dog to eat. The biggest worry would be the roundworm, causing a parasite problem.
See Also:
What Happens If A Puppy Eats Earth Worms?
Nothing will happen if your puppy eats an earthworm. However, if they come across roundworms they can get parasites in their stomach. This is caused by the eggs left behind by the roundworms. This will cause your puppy to become very sick and sometimes even die. The parasite can also spread to you, causing you to get very sick as well.
Do Dogs Smell Worms And Roll In The Grass?
One reason why dogs roll on the grass is that they smell worms. The scent of a worm or decaying worms is wonderful to dogs and rolling in it is a sense of self-grooming. Dogs will also roll in the grass to mark the spot with their scent in an effort to tell other dogs that they got there first. Dominance is a big part of a dog’s life.
Why Do Dogs Dig For Worms?
Dogs digging for worms can be traced all the way back to their wolf ancestors. In times of famine, wolves would often eat grubs and other worms.
The scent of the worms and grubs has developed over time and now has become part of the average dog’s trait. Today, dogs will dig for worms because it’s just in their blood to do so. Some dogs still love to eat them and others just enjoy the smell, or they enjoy the “hunt”.
How To Stop The Dog From Digging Up Worms?
The most effective way to stop your dog from digging for worms would be to wait until you see them digging. Discourage the behavior with a simple, but firm, “leave it” or “no digging” command. Repeat until the behavior has subsided.
If the behavior is extreme, you can also block off a spot they normally enjoy digging in. Fence off a part of the lawn they commonly dig in or place chicken wire over old holes. Teach them that this is not acceptable behavior.
Why Do Dogs Roll On The Worms After Bath?
Dogs like to roll after having a bath. Specifically, on things, they like the smell of such as:
- Worms
- Dead animals
- Trash
- Rot
- Mud/dirt
They do this to find any sense of relief to rid themselves of this mysterious new smell on their body (the bath wash, water, etc.) You’ll often see dogs get the “zoomies”, a rush of energy after a bath and this is them attempting to get rid of the smell. Often because they are nervous and excited.
Does Your Dog Roll Around On Top Of Earthworms?
My dogs will often roll on the earth, searching for earthworms and other decaying things in the ground. It’s a common thing for almost all dogs to do as it is a part of the natural heritage.
Why Do Small Dogs Like Chihuahuas Love To Eat Worms?
Small dogs, like chihuahuas, no different from any other dog, love to eat worms for all the same reasons. They enjoy the taste and the smell of earthworms.
Why Do Dogs Roll In Dead Things Like Bugs?
Dating back to their ancestors, wolves would often roll in dead things to mask their smell during a hunt. Wolves would camouflage their odor with that of something dead, making their hunt more successful.
Another reason is that dogs are bragging to other dogs. Almost as if they are boasting to all the other dogs that they found this amazing kill.
And lastly, to dogs, it’s an attractive smell! It could be because they are wanting to attract a mate, make friends, just feel good about themselves, dogs love the smell of death.
What Do You Do If Your Dog Rolls In Something Dead?
Unfortunately, despite how much dogs love the smell of death, to us humans it is disgusting. Here is what you can do if your dog rolls in something dead.
- Remove any collars they may be wearing and put them in the wash
- Bath time! Thoroughly shampoo (always using a dog friendly shampoo). Make sure to use a gentle rubbing motion to cover the whole body
- Soak – Let the soap suds soak in the fur for about 10 minutes
- Rinse – Make sure to rinse all of the shampoo out
- Repeat – If the smell is still there after a first bath, do one more to ensure their cleanliness
How Do I Keep My Dog From Rolling In Dead Animals?
If your dog continues to roll in dead animals, it’s good to teach them the “leave it” command. Start by waiting until they are about to roll in something dead. Then come over to your dog and with a stern and commanding voice say “LEAVE IT” while pointing at the dead object.
Another option is positive reinforcement. While out for a walk or in your backyard, when you see your dog about to roll, give them the “leave it” command, and as soon as they stop reward them with a treat they enjoy. You can also distract them with a treat they enjoy while out for a walk and you see something they would be likely to roll in.
Why Do Dogs Roll In Grass After the Bath?
The same reason a dog would roll in something dead, or earthworms. Because they smell now so unfamiliar due to the shampoo and water, they are desperately trying to find some sense of relief to smell how they did before. Grass can also supply some relief if they are feeling itchy after a bath. An all-natural scratching post!
Why Does My Dog Roll On Cockroaches?
Dogs have a very keen sense of cockroaches. Their ability to sense a roach is incredible and dogs are often used to hunt down the pesky critters. Most dogs can tell when a cockroach is around. Rolling in cockroaches could be a sense of dominance. Also because to dogs, the roaches smell amazing.
Why Do Dogs Smell A Spot And Then Roll In It?
When you see a dog sniffing around in the grass and suddenly they stop to roll in it, there are a few reasons why. The biggest reason is that they smelled something they loved the smell of and wanted to smell like that too. Things such as:
- Rot
- Decay
- Death
- Bugs/rodents
- Urine
They could have also smelled another dog who previously rolled in that same spot and they wanted to cover that spot with their scent. It is a sign of dominance. They could also just be happy! Rolling in the grass can be a way for a dog to express its happiness.
Why Do Dogs Sniff And Rub Their Faces And Roll In The Grass?
You will often see dogs sniff and then rub their face into the grass. Asides from finding a good smell to roll in, they may also be using the grass as a natural scratching post!
Why Do Dogs Roll Their Backs On Their Special Spot Of The Yard?
You may notice your dog always rolling in one specific part of your yard. Here are a few reasons why you may be seeing this.
- They like the smell of this certain spot
- To express happiness
- For self-grooming
- To mark their territory
