4

We have a 1 year old BernieDoodle that is pretty well behaved at the house. We take him to Doggy Daycare once or twice a week so he can get some energy out and mingle since we work.

At daycare he has lately been rolling in his (or others, not sure) poop. It's about every other time. Someone mentioned he might be trying to eat it so try changing food. The odd thing is this only happens there. When we leave him at the house alone he is fine. He is a very social and happy dog at home and there so not sure what this means.

Any thoughts? Are we taking him too much maybe? Food?

Improve this question
3
  • 2
    Have you asked the daycare workers to observe him? They should be able to tell you more about when it happens. Is he happy, upset, playing or on his own. Dogs do sometimes just like rolling in something smelly...
    – nicV
    Commented Aug 11, 2017 at 8:27
  • Thanks for posting! My Bernedoodle, now almost 8 months, suddenly stared rolling in poop at daycare - not long after he was neutered. Don't now if that's connected, but feel relieved another Bernedoodle does this.
    – Barli
    Commented Dec 30, 2021 at 13:07
  • Why is the doggy day care leaving the poop there? If they remove it immediately, he wouldn't be able to roll in it....
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 6, 2022 at 21:54

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

Scent-rolling is 100% a normal behavior in dogs.

From the Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals:

By rolling, dogs simultaneously disrupt the mark of another animal, deposit their own scent, and acquire some of the other animal's scent. They also groom by shedding some of their undercoat when they roll. The extent to which the latter might be important in a masking situation useful in predation has not been fully explored. Dogs seem to find it pleasurable to roll in some scents that humans consider fairly offensive, which may mean that they are responding neurochemically to some pheromonal cue.

Once the dog has located the area that stimulates it to roll and has begun to drop, it is almost impossible to stop even the most obedient dog. If clients absolutely need to avoid this behavior, they will have to be vigilant, use a leash, and learn to read canine communication.

Doggy daycare is a wonderful place to socialize and have fun, his diet does not have an impact on these behaviors - your dog is simply being a dog.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.