Every time you see your dog roll in the grass and extend his nose into the lawn or garden, he is just one of the millions of dogs making the same curious gesture. Dogs do this because they love doing it.
Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant foods and meat. But as omnivores, they also need to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates and protein to provide energy for their body and support the health of their digestive system and brain. The cereals that you feed your dog are part of this diet.
Let’s discuss why your dog rolls into the grass and how to stop this behavior.
What’s Inside!
Why Does My Pup Roll in the Grass?
Curious why your dog rolls in the grass? Is it about him doing what he wants, or are you paying attention to him? Let’s get a bit deeper into the odd behavior, as some dog owners have difficulty grasping why their four-legged friend rolls in the grass.
Here are a few of the possible reasons why your dog rolls in the grass:
1- Masking Their Scent
Dogs don’t have sweat glands, so they cannot expel heat through sweating. They pant to cool off and also sweat through their footpads and nose. This can leave a very strong scent for other animals in the neighborhood to pick up on.
Therefore, dogs roll around in grass or dirt because this material absorbs scent from the dog and can help with masking them from other creatures around them in the area.
2- Cleaning Themselves
Some dogs have a habit of rolling in the dirt to clean their fur. They do this to remove debris and can also be a way for the dog to bathe itself.
3- Scratching an Itch
Some dogs have an underlying skin irritation that makes them look for an itch to scratch. Rolling in the grass or dirt can help alleviate this itch as they cannot reach every part of their body.
If you notice that your canine is rolling on the grass to relieve an itch, it can signify skin allergy. You should consult your vet to get treated for a potential skin allergy.
See a vet if: the itching doesn’t let up, or shows up alongside redness, hair loss, hot spots, or repeat ear infections. Those are the itch-related signs vets flag as more likely to point to a real allergy than a one-off roll in the grass, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
4- Catching a Trace of Ticks or fleas
Some dogs will roll on the grass to pick up the remnants of ticks that they may have encountered while roaming around. The mere presence of the tick will cause them to scratch and lick their body until they remove it.
But, if you notice that your canine has caught a tick while out in the woods and you notice them rolling in the grass, it can signify Lyme disease.
5- Covering Up a Scent
Some dogs roll in the grass to cover up their urine or feces scent. This happens because these creatures have scent glands that emit pheromones that help them determine friend and foe.
All animals can tell the difference between other types of smells, but dogs need to determine whether these scents belong to another dog or not. Thus, it is common for dogs to roll in the grass after coming home from an outing to cover up their urine or feces.
Good to know: none of these theories are fully settled science. The American Kennel Club notes that scent-masking and scent-marking explanations both have holes in them, and the theory with the least pushback from behaviorists is simply that dogs have a far more sensitive nose than we do and genuinely enjoy a strong, novel smell.
6- Playing
Some dogs play in the grass and feel safe enough for them to do this. It also encourages them to go on a walk, as they may be more inclined to do so after rolling around in the grass. This helps their muscles and joints recover from a long day of walking around.
Should I Stop My Dog From Rolling on the Grass?
If you love to see your dog rolling in the grass, there is no reason to stop him. However, if you don’t want to see your dog doing this, here are the steps that you can follow:
1- Keep them at home
If your dog does this inside the house, it is easy to stop it by keeping them at home. This means that they will not have enough time outside and will be more likely to spend more time indoors with you.
2- Make sure they Don’t Have Allergies
If your dog constantly rolls in the dirt, it is a sign that it may have an allergy to this material. And if your vet does not find any evidence of a reaction, you should visit a specialist for further testing. It can be very easy to overlook allergies, so you should always ensure this first.
3- Try some basic Training
Finally, you can always try to teach your dog not to roll in the grass. This is not for all breeds of dogs, but if you have a labrador or a Doberman, it can be the last thing you need.
Remember that this kind of training will only work if your dog is trained regularly and not left untrained for extended periods.
You will first need to catch your dog in the act of rolling in the grass. You should immediately call their name and distract them by offering them a treat if you can do this. You can also use their favorite toy to keep them occupied and stop them from rolling in the grass.
FAQs
What if my dog only rolls in the grass when I’m not around?
If your dog only does this when you’re not around, it’s likely trying to cover up a scent — most often from urine or feces, so that you won’t know it’s been there.
What if I can’t stop my dog from rolling in the grass?
If you can’t stop it on your own, a professional trainer can help. This isn’t a problem for every breed, but a determined roller — a Labrador or a Doberman, for example — can take more consistent work to retrain.
What if my dog has been diagnosed with an underlying skin allergy?
If your dog has been diagnosed with an allergy, it needs ongoing treatment. Talk to your vet about the right course of treatment and whether anything about your dog’s rolling habits should change alongside it.
Can dogs roll in other materials besides grass and dirt?
Yes. Dogs will roll in whatever’s available and interesting to them — leaves, snow, and sand included — for the same underlying reasons they roll in grass.
Summing Up!
Rolling in the grass is an odd behavior that all dogs do, even if they are not allowed. For most of these dogs, it is something they do all the time because it is part of their normal behavior. In most cases, you can stop your dog from rolling in the grass, but be careful not to do it too harshly. Always use your best judgment and consult with a professional trainer if you find it hard to control the situation.
