Why Do Dogs Roll in Fox Poo?

It’s certainly one of the less glamorous times of being a dog owner. Just imagine, you’re out on a lovely summer walk, the sun is shining and your dog is off lead enjoying all the sights and smells on offer. Then, boom. Out of nowhere, they drop and roll. Realisation kicks in, along with the unmistakable smell. Fox poo. We’ve all been there, frantically googling how to get rid of the stench. 

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why does my dog roll in fox poo?”,  you’re not alone.

In this blog, we’ll explore why dogs do this, what the most common theories are, and how to stop your dog from indulging in this particularly smelly habit.

It’s All in Their Nature

It's important to understand that rolling in strong or unpleasant smells is completely natural behaviour and it’s not just pet dogs that do it. Wolves, foxes and other wild canines have been observed doing this behaviour. But why? There are a few common theories. 

1. Scent Camouflage

In the wild, predators like wolves and foxes may roll in strong smelling substances to mask their own scent. It is believed that hiding their smell makes hunting easier, allowing them to get closer to prey without being detected.

While your dog might only be hunting the contents of your kitchen bin, this instinct could still be hardwired into their behaviour. It’s their ancient inner hunter kicking in, even if it results in a very modern bath when you get home.

2. Communication With the Pack

Another theory is that rolling in strong smells is a way of bringing information back to the pack. In wild dogs and wolves, it’s believed that these scents could help others locate resources, whether it’s food, territory or even threats.

Your dog may not be living with a pack of wild animals, but their family (that’s you!) might still be the ones they’re trying to ‘inform’ - albeit in a rather unpleasant way.

3. Scent Claiming

Dogs are incredibly smell oriented creatures. Some experts suggest that by rolling in strong odours, they’re attempting to mix that scent with their own. It’s a form of scent claiming, almost like leaving their signature on top of something else.

This behaviour might be baffling to us, but for dogs, scent is a major form of communication. What smells repellent to us may be irresistibly interesting to them.

How to Prevent It

Unfortunately, once a dog has discovered how delightful fox poo is, they may be keen to find it again. While you may never fully stop this behaviour, you can try a few things to limit it:

• Keep your dog on a lead in high risk areas, like woodland or fields known to have foxes.

• Practice recall training so you can quickly intervene if they start showing signs they’ve found something.

• Use commands like “leave it” or “no” consistently to help discourage the behaviour.

• Distract and reward with a favourite toy or treat before they have the chance to roll.

The Dog’s Trust offers great guidance on how to train dogs using positive reinforcement, which can help in these situations.

Be Prepared

Sometimes, even your best efforts won’t be enough… dogs will be dogs! For those moments, it’s worth keeping a stash of dog-friendly wipes, shampoo and towels in the car, or by the front door.

Also, remember: fox poo is not just smelly, it can also harbour bacteria and parasites, so a thorough clean is essential.

And while you're at it, make sure your dog’s ID tag is still securely attached after their antics. At Engraving Studios, we craft deeply engraved brass tags that are designed to withstand the muddiest, smelliest adventures. Get yours here.

Summary

Rolling in fox poo might be gross to us, but for dogs, it’s completely natural. Whether they’re channeling their inner wolf or just enjoying the moment, it’s a behaviour rooted in instinct. While you might not stop it entirely, understanding why it happens, and being prepared, can help keep the drama (and the stink) to a minimum.