Why Does My Dog ​​rub In Dirty Places?

If you have a four-legged friend, one of those who barks, you’ve certainly already been through this situation: when you’re careless, while walking through some green space, your furry suddenly appears filthy and smelly after rubbing itself in puddles, feces or remains of dead animals. Today we’ll reveal the reasons why a dog rubs itself in dirty places.

Scrubbing in dirty places: normal dog behavior

The first thing to take into account is that your dog’s attitude is absolutely normal and natural for him. That it looks disgusting is your problem, not his. So, no reprimands or punishments.

Always remember that your pet is a dog and not a human. They are two distinct species. So, don’t fall into the temptation to humanize him and want him to measure things with your parameters.

If he doesn’t reject you for things like his perfume, his strong and strange scented creams, why should you reject him for his preferences, which are different from yours?

To understand dogs, we will have to turn to their ancestors, the wolves

According to experts in animal behavior, there can be several reasons why a dog rubs itself in dirty places.

First and foremost, let us not forget that dogs are descended from wolves. And although it sometimes doesn’t seem like it, they retain genetic traits from their ancestors. For example: the hunting instinct.

Is that although a domestic dog does not need to hunt to look for food, it still retains some attitudes related to this practice, such as chasing “prey”, whether a ball, a pussy or a bird.

Genetic inheritance, one of the reasons a dog rubs itself in dirty places

Also because of this hunting instinct inherited from its origins, your dog rubs itself in places full of garbage, mud and other substances that are unpleasant for the human sight and smell.

It is that every good hunter must remain unnoticed. So if it camouflages its scent it is less likely to be detected by possible prey.

This is the best way that wolves find – and their descendants, our dear pets – to ensure a good hunt, covering themselves with stronger scents.

Furthermore, concealing the smell also allows them to keep themselves safe from possible predators.

Other Reasons a Dog Scrubs in Dirty Places

Wolves, in the same way, rub themselves in some places and substances in order to be able to communicate something to the rest of the group through the smell that permeates them. For example:

• The position you are in;
• A warning;

• A discovery.

But rubbing over something can also be considered a territorial issue, as these animals have scent glands. So not only are they impregnated with other smells, but they also leave their own as a way of signaling: “I saw it first” .

And these wolf behaviors also show up in dogs.

Humans are also to blame for their pets rubbing themselves in dirty places

But in addition to genetic inheritance, humans can also contribute to a furry rubbing in smelly places. The subject goes back to our mania for humanizing pets.

It certainly bothers you that your dog gets dirty in this way, irritation multiplies if it seems like this happens just a moment after your pet has been bathed and scented with care.

But while it’s hard to assume, bathing is the main reason your pet ran off to scrub itself in the dirt. It’s just that the soaps and shampoos we use to sanitize our furry ones, although they may smell very good to us, they are possibly very unpleasant.

So, patience! Don’t be angry with your four-legged friend. Try to understand him and next time you put him some shampoo that, at least, it’s not so horrible that he goes off like a madman to look for better scents for his body.

Author of the main image: Juan Luis Alaranjado