Why Does My Dog Like to Roll in the Grass?

We have probably all witnessed our furry friend having fun in the sun and rolling in the grass. But why do they do this? Most of the reasons revolve around scent. Fido is most likely picking up, covering, or leaving a smell.

Masking Their Scent

Your pal may roll in the grass to cover up their scent. This conduct is a remnant of hunting behavior. Additionally, your four-legged friend may try to cover up another smell on them. For example, they may roll in the grass after a bath to eliminate the shampoo scent. Though you may like the fresh scent, they probably don’t feel the same. So, your companion is attempting to pick up the smell of the grass or whatever else they are rolling in.

Communication

Dogs communicate through sense. We have all seen canines leave their scent by leaving small urine markings on a walk. Dogs also leave their scent by rolling in the grass. Where one dog leaves a mark, another may roll to add their scent or pick up the existing one.

Scratching

An occasional itch is common, but frequent scratching could be a sign of skin irritation that you should investigate further with your vet. Your four-legged friend may roll on their back to scratch an itch they can’t reach. Similarly, if your dog is constantly rubbing their ears on the ground, they may have an ear infection. If this is the case, you should also consult your vet.

It Feels Good

Dogs are happy and enjoy having fun. Rolling in the grass is relaxing and fun for them. There may be no other motivation than that! Your furry friend could be rolling around in the grass just because they are a dog.

Should I Stop Them?

Short answer: it depends. Generally, rolling in the grass commonly occurs because your canine is happy, and you do not need to stop fido. However, you should ensure that you are actively preventing fleas and ticks. You should only stop your pal if they are seeking out poop or other unsanitary items to roll in. To stop unwanted behavior, you should use positive reinforcement. This reinforcement means redirecting their attention and rewarding the behavior you want them to continue.

We want our pals to be happy and healthy so they can roll in the grass simply because they love it. It would be best if you always allowed your canine to express their normal behavior. So, it would help if you were attentive to what is normal and odd behavior for your companion. If you notice abnormal behavior that may be causing them harm, you should contact your vet or discourage the behavior.