Noooo! Did they get to the fox poo before you?

You begin the slow motion baywatch run towards your dog as their head starts to dip down to the grass. You were too slow. They've done it. And now you're debating planning your strategy to survive the ride home in the car and even considering just amputating your nose entirely.

But why do they do it?

Dogs rolling in fox poo, specifically, can be explained by several theories similar to why they roll in other strong-smelling substances:

Camouflage: In the wild, masking their scent can be crucial for predators and prey alike. Rolling in fox poo may help dogs hide their scent from potential prey or predators by covering their natural smell with a more common environmental scent.
Communication and Identification: Dogs have a strong sense of smell and use scents to communicate with each other. Rolling in fox poo might be a way for a dog to collect and carry information about the fox to other dogs. This could be part of their social behavior or a way to leave a mark for other dogs to find.
Instinctual Behavior: This behavior might be a throwback to their ancestors. Wild canines, like wolves and foxes, roll in strong-smelling substances to mask their own scent, and domestic dogs may have inherited this instinct.
Scent Preferences: Dogs have individual scent preferences, and what smells repulsive to humans might be attractive to them. Fox poo has a strong, distinct smell that could be particularly intriguing to dogs.
Play and Enjoyment: Sometimes, dogs roll in various substances simply because they find it enjoyable or stimulating. The act of rolling can be fun and the strong smell might add an extra layer of sensory excitement for them.
Attention-Seeking: If a dog learns that rolling in fox poo gets a lot of attention from their owner (even if it’s negative attention), they might repeat the behavior to get more attention.

To discourage dogs from rolling in fox poo:

Training Commands: Teach commands like “leave it” or “come” to redirect your dog’s attention when they show interest in rolling in something undesirable.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog for good behavior and for every time they choose to avoid rolling in undesirable substances.
Bathing and Grooming: While it's tempting to wash & wash (& wash & wash....) your dog in an attempt to get rid of the strong smell, avoid using harsh shampoos, washing multiple times or even trying to cut the affected coat yourself. Ask K9 Anytime Grooming for expert advice and a professional grade clean to start afresh and save yourself the messy cleanup operation.