Why Do Female Dogs Roll In Poop?

Reviewed By Kim •  Updated: 07/21/22 •  3 min read
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Why Do Female Dogs Roll In Poop?

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Dogs can do some pretty surprising things at times. And other times, they completely bowl you over with how gross they can be! One example is a female dog rolling in poop. Why on earth would a dog do something so gross?

Does your female dog roll in poop? Are you worried about this behavior? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand this kind of behavior can be very concerning and gross.

We’ve put together some information about why dogs roll in poop and what you can do if your dog does this. Let’s get started!

Why Do Female Dogs Roll in Poo?

Before we get into some of the reasons a dog may roll in poop, it’s important to remember that our domestic fur babies still have wild canine instincts. Some dog behavior is rooted in our canine companions’ ancient past. Even so, that doesn’t mean your dog has to continue doing something that makes her smell like poo!

Here are some of the most common reasons a female dog may roll in poop:

1. Masking Her Scent

Some experts believe our canine companions occasionally use the same behaviors as their wild cousins. Wild dogs sometimes roll in something very stinky to mask their scent. They do this to avoid danger from other predators.

So, your dog could be trying to camouflage her own scent by rolling in poop, dead things, and more. It’s gross, but this is normal canine behavior.

2. Communication

Another behavior seen in wild dogs is rolling in poop or food and then carrying the scent back to their pack. They do this to let the other canines in the pack learn about another predator, food, and more.

Your female dog may be rolling in poop to let you know a strange dog’s been in the yard. Who knows? But again, this is normal canine behavior.

3. Likes the Smell

Finally, female dogs may roll in poop because they like the smell. Really! We’re serious! This may be considered something like doggie perfume. While it’s horribly smelly to us, your fur baby may think it smells great!

Some female dogs relish finding something incredibly stinky and gross to roll in. Yes, it’s gross to us, but your female canine companion may be puttin’ on the ritz for a male dog in the neighborhood!

Can You Stop This Behavior?

Not easily. However, if you walk your dog on a leash, it’s possible to steer her away from that stinky mess. It may also be possible to teach your fur baby the “leave it” cue. She will learn not to touch that gross poop. It takes time and patience. Add in treats and praise, and you may be able to dissuade your fur baby to stay away from poop!

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Kim

Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.