Hi Gary

I feel better knowing other dogs do this too. Fox dirt seems to be the favourite with my dogs, but any dirt will do (don`t bother with dogs dirt though, thank heavens!)). Most mornings i have to wipe down at least one of my dogs (usually the neck area). I`ve no idea why they do this, hope someone can enlighten me also. It was a dead seagull this morn!

Sha

My dad's dog, Connie, likes to roll in really stinky things and the stinkier the better.

While we were walking along Maidens' beach yesterday, she decided to roll in a dead jellyfish.  I laughed at first because I had assumed that, being as there's not actually too much to a jellyfish, dead ones wouldn't smell.  How wrong could I be!!!  They stink.

To the rest of us the smell was disgusting.  As far as Connie was concerned though, she was wearing the doggy equivalent of Chanel No. 5 and she ran around with a big grin on her face.  Now I come to think of it, she was probably just high on the fumes.

C

Saw this on the internet which sounds the likely reason for the behaviour:

Question: Bramble frequently rolls in other animal or bird droppings particularly her neck. She is a rescue dog so training is to an adult dog. Why does she do this and how can it be 'corrected'?

Answer: Rolling in strong smelling substances is thought to be a behaviour handed down from their ancestors who would do this to camouflage their own smell when out hunting. Smelling more like their environment would enable them to get closer to their prey before being detected. Although our pet dogs no longer need to hunt, some have retained the desire to do this, particularly after a bath or then they don’t smell ‘like themselves’. It’s a bit like us putting on perfume or aftershave to make ourselves smell more acceptable!

Stopping them is difficult. One of the best ways is to develop a really good recall, be vigilant, and call her back whenever she has been sniffing in the same spot for too long.

Reward her well with a game with a toy or a tasty titbit to ensure she comes quickly next time. If she does it close to you, you could try throwing something that lands next to her with a clatter, such as a drinks can with pebbles sealed into it, to interrupt the behaviour, and then call her back.

Alternatively, you could try wiping her over with a cloth carrying the scent of the pack before she goes out. Keep this in the dirty washing bin where it will pick up all sorts of strong scents associated with the pack!