ROLLING-IN STINKINESS ?

". . .oops I smell someone looking at
my nose...!"

 We all need to be aware, and to continue to  
remember  a dog's sense of smell is much more sensitive than our human senses! Therefore, humans have different ideas about what smells "nice."  Most dogs have the indulging instinct to roll on grass, and to roll in things with pungent odors. Why?
Their very acute canine smelling senses drive them to change their personal body odor to a 
more earthier scent.  


My dogs are exercised, walked, and taken to run often.  Therefore, the chances of their rolling on something "nice" for them will happen.  So, I became more cognizant of where, how, when, and what they were about to roll on, and  took the following into consideration:
     1.  Minimize the dogs chances of being 
          around garbage or carcasses of sorts.
     2.  Hold  a firm, but loose leash, as the  
          rolling  instinct happened.  Timed for a
          short rolling and removed the dog off.
     3. Talk to the dog before the rolling
         occurred, creating an interesting 
         distraction for the dog.

". . . so earthy, so good . ."

Interestingly,  certain  human actions cause  dogs  to roll in pungent odors.  Some of them are:
       1.   Giving the dog a scented bath.
             Humans  think their dog will 
             smell wonderful.  The dog after the
             scented bath will more than likely,
             "race" around the house, or yard to
             get rid of the fragrance.  They will rub

". . . I'm primp and perfumed, 
but, guess where I'm going. . .
once the outdoors are open to me!.

             their faces on furniture, or the lawn to get the scent off.


  2. Humans 
      purchase 
      dog colognes or
      floral scents to
      improve, or add
      a pretty or 
      handsome
      smell to their
      dog.  Where does
      the dog head for?
      They  will find 
      scents "more to
      their liking!"
      Guess where?  

" . . . I may look "dead" but I am ALIVE & HAPPY
rolling, rolling rolling in my element. . . "

Scented shampoo, and fancy cologne, will be too strong and will drive a dog crazy!
Crazy enough to seek-out the smelliest thing 
found outdoors to rid of the shampoo or cologne fragrance.


Other theories have been made as to what 
motivates dogs to roll in pungent odor:
       1.  Instinctive behavior inherited from 
            wolf ancestors.  Wolves are known to 
            roll in decomposing animal bodies to 
            cover-up their own scent.  Reason:  when
            they sneak-up on their prey, they will not
            be easily scented as wolves.  
            Dogs, when rolling in "garbage" is 
            practicing this same hunting behavior.


        2. Pack behavior cause dogs to roll in stink
            to let other dogs know about their 
            rewards.   A way of informing other 
            pack members as to what's happening to 
            them personally.  A manner of  
            communicating their accomplishments.
            
         3.To claim what is "mine" behavior.  Dogs
            will roll on something to "mark"
            ownership.  By putting their own scent
            on something, so no other dog or animal 
            will claim it.


         4.  An odor, is simply  attractive to dogs, 
             and by rolling in it, all acute canine 
             senses will be "excited."  A dog high!


It's important to accept indulging dog instincts.  So please, if your dog has the tendency to rolling in things with disgusting odors...ITS  NOT  GOOD   TO  PUNISH YOUR
DOG, as it is their normal instinctive behavior
to prefer,  the "earthier" smell.

". . . it's not itchy, it's  so earthy great. . . "

             
     
                        

EATING GRASS?

                    I N T R O D U C T I O N 

"...I'm Francesca le Bon Bon, and am on my way to
explore... usually to do things my Daddy doesn't
want me to do, but he has to understand it's
normal for me to do certain things...for example
I like nibbling on grass...look at all the GRASS here!..."

WHAT IS NORMAL FOR YOUR DOG?

It can be puzzling, when our dogs display behaviors that seem weird!  Just to name a few, there are dogs who have the habit of  chasing their own tails to humping your arm or eating grass.  To many humans, it may  seem cute, funny, laughable, and weird.  Interestingly, many such  strange habits are normal, and many suggest hidden medical problems.

Together, lets look into what we consider  "odd" dog  behaviors and find-out what is normal for our dog, and what is not.

EATING GRASS

"...ummm munch munch..."

Your lawn or sprigs of another grassy area, may  look like a buffet meal to a dog, and will linger until they get their " fill."  Canines are omnivores, meaning they enjoy vegetation in addition to meat.  So eating grass, sticks and even dirt is normal...if done in moderation.  If however, your dog binges on grass,  it will be a sign of a stomach upset, therefore will  eat grass  to encourage vomiting to  remove  the discomfort of gas, constipation, or diarrhea.  If the latter occurs, a re-evaluation of your dog's diet should be made.

                    
             PROVIDE A HIGH FIBER DIET

1.  Soft cooked rice mixed with shredded boiled

     chicken.

2.  Cooked boiled potato chunks, mixed with 

     shredded boiled chicken.

3.  Once you discover your dog's digestive

     behavior improved, return to your dry meal

     mixture.  Most commercially prepared dog

     foods have plenty of fiber.  

        a.  ALWAYS  include exercise

        b.  ALWAYS  include discipline, care, and
             love.

"yup...I'm smart all right..."

Canines are smart, they usually know when they

need to improve their digestion, and many do this by "eating grass!" Mainly to encourage vomiting, to relief the discomfortof stomach upset. In other words, its their instinctive manner to fulfill a nutritional need.  Allow your dog to provide this self care with the following observations:

          1.  Re-evaluate their diet if excessive

               grass eating is being experienced.

          2.  Observe the grass area.

               Avoid areas treated with pesticides,

               or other toxins.

          3.  Be aware if eating grass on a regular       

               basis causes weight lost, then can be 

               problematic.  (evaluate if diet is good,

               if exercise is regular, and receiving

               mental stimulation).

Therefore, dogs that eat grass, are attempting to "empty" their stomach to make themselves 

feel better.  Grass has digestive enzymes, hence an eatable benefit.  In moderation, it is a normal behavior for your dog.

"...arrrf, I found mine!.."

"...leave me alone, I'm focusing and choosing the tallest blade of grass...  They should have named me Blade..."

On the other side of your dog's mysterious behavior of  eating grass,  is that they just love

the taste of grass!  They tend to become selective, and choose the taller blades of grass.

They purposefully are adding some roughage, and using it as an antidote for spoiled food.

So......let your dog enjoy grass that has NOT been treated, and know that it is just a normal part of being a dog.  When you think about it, may be a better choice than some things your dog can be eating.....use your imagination

"...Understand us CANINES  now...?"