What to Do If Your Dog Rolls in Something Smelly

Why Dogs Roll in Smelly Things

Dogs often roll in strong-smelling substances like poop, garbage, or rotting matter. This behavior isn’t about being dirty—it’s rooted in instinct. One theory suggests dogs may be trying to mask their own scent with a stronger one, possibly to blend in when hunting or returning to the pack. Another idea is that they’re signaling to other dogs that food is nearby, though this isn’t proven. The smell of decomposing organic matter—like fox poop or dead fish—can be irresistible to dogs, even if it’s repulsive to humans.

Don’t Punish—Redirect Instead

Punishing your dog after they’ve rolled in something smelly is ineffective and can cause fear or confusion. Dogs don’t connect punishment with past actions, especially if the event happened minutes or hours earlier. Instead of scolding, focus on what happens *after* the behavior. If your dog rolls in something, calmly redirect them with a treat or toy. Reward them for coming to you or engaging in a different activity. Over time, they’ll learn that leaving the smelly stuff and coming to you leads to good things.

Use Positive Reinforcement to Break the Habit

You can train your dog to avoid smelly substances by using rewards. For example, if your dog approaches something foul, say a command like “leave it” and immediately offer a treat when they obey. If they’ve already rolled in something, don’t scold—just reward them for moving away. Some dogs will even drop the smelly item if the reward is strong enough. The key is consistency and timing: reward the desired behavior *in the moment*, not after the fact.

Prevent Future Incidents with Training

To stop your dog from seeking out smelly things, use training techniques like the “lemon trick” or “booby-trapped holes.” If your dog digs in the yard, place dog poop in the holes, cover them, and let your dog discover them. Dogs naturally dislike their own poop’s smell and taste, so they’ll avoid the spot after a few tries. Similarly, if your dog raids the trash, use a lemon wedge to create a negative association—squeeze it into their mouth when they go for the trash. This teaches them that the trash leads to an unpleasant taste.

Diet May Help Reduce the Appeal

Some owners try dietary changes to make dog poop less appealing. A raw meat and bones diet is believed to result in less odorous, less flavorful waste because it’s digested more completely. Kibble, on the other hand, contains fillers and additives that can make poop more pungent and palatable to dogs. While adding pineapple or spicy ingredients to the stool isn’t recommended, switching to a high-quality, whole-food diet may reduce the temptation to eat or roll in waste.