As a dog-lover, you must surely have noticed that dogs have certain behaviors and particularities that can be quite funny and eye-catching. Sleeping with their tongues out and in weird and curious positions, twisting their heads to the side when they hear some strange noise or attention-calling sound, kicking their legs fastly when being scratched or petted and, of course, rolling in the grass!
In this article we will tell you more about this last funny attitude that many dogs have, and we will tell you in detail about the main reasons that explain this behavior.
There is not just one simple explanation
When thinking about the main reasons why dogs have this funny and weird habit of rolling in the grass, it’s very important to take into account that there is not always just one simple explanation for this attitude. Depending on which type of dog you have, its personality, its habits, its customs and its breed, the reasons behind the grass-rolling can be very diverse and varied.
In spite of this, all in all, rolling in the grass is usually never just a random canine behavior: there is most surely a root reason behind this attitude, which can be based on many different aspects of the dog, its personality and its history.
A behavior that goes way back
One of the main theories to explain why dogs roll in the grass goes way, way back to the times of dog’s wolf-like ancestors. The fact is that it is very possible that this behavior was inherited from wolves many years ago, and that dogs still keep this behavioral characteristic in their DNAs. When wolves roll in the grass, what they are trying to communicate and achieve has to do with odor and smells.
When a wolf encounters a new smell that’s unfamiliar, first it sniffs the odor and then rolls around into it, in order to get the smell impregnated in its body, and then carry it with him back to his pack, for every one of them to investigate and analyse the smell. What happens on many occasions is that, after this grass-rolling, it’s possible for the other wolves of the pack to trace the smell back into its place or origin.
So it is very likely that one of the reasons why dogs roll in the grass also has to do with this and is an inherited attitude from wolves. It may be that your dog is rolling in the grass because it smelled something different and unusual and wants to bring it back to you, just as wolves do.
Could it be allergies?
Yes, indeed! Another reason that might explain why dogs roll in grass might be as simple as just trying to scratch out an allergy. Many dogs can be allergic to different kinds of things, such as to certain foods, to fleas, to the weather or to other environmental aspects. If this is the case, you should pay attention to make something about the allergies and identify the reason, in order to prevent possible skin irritations in your dog.
A good piece of advice to know whether the rolling in the grass has to do with allergies is to be aware of other signs and symptoms that might evidence an allergy, such as skin redness, excessive sneezing, face-swelling or irritated ears.
Obsessive behavior
Many dogs roll in the grass due to obsessive behaviour. If this is the case, you might probably notice it because the grass-rolling is frenetic and excessive. But don’t worry! There’s always something that can be done about it if the grass-rolling is too much. You can turn to training as a way of redirecting this compulsive behavior into something constructive. Don’t hesitate to go for assistance from dog trainers or to do a consultation with your vet if you feel the need to. They are always there to help!
If you want to do something about it yourself, here are some pieces of advice that might help you: when you see that you dog is rolling in the grass, try to redirect their attention towards something different that they might enjoy, and also give them a nice, delicious treat as soon as they stop rolling. This is a way of transforming their attitude and guiding them towards a different direction. You’ll see that, with a bit of patience and perseverance, you can definitely help your dog to leave behind his obsessive behavior.
I feel good!
A very simple and concise explanation behind the grass-rolling can also have to do with the fact that it just feels good! Grass is soft and feels comfortable to many dogs, who enjoy spending time there, just laying in the sun, rolling their bodies, scratching their backs and simply relaxing. If you see that the grass-rolling is soft, relaxed and your dog seems to enjoy it, then it is very possible that the reason that explains that attitude is simply that: your dog enjoys rolling in the grass because it just feels so good!
Expressing their personalities
Finally, rolling in the grass is, for many dogs, also a way of expressing themselves and showcasing their personality. The same way that us humans express ourselves in many different ways, through clothing, art, writing or acting, what a dog can be doing when rolling in the grass is just expressing itself and sharing their personality.
As you can see, the reasons that explain this funny and peculiar behavior of dogs have many different origins and backgrounds. Understanding this can help you to get to know your dog better and also be attentive to any possible issues that may arise from such behavior, such as the allergies or the obsessive attitudes that we mentioned. This way you will be able to take action if it is needed and contribute to your dog’s happiness and quality of living.
