My jack russell rolls in poo!?

Question

My jack russell is 2 and a half yrs old and he keeps rolling in poo! When where out walking he rolls in horse poo other dog poo his own poo and cat poo he just goes up and smells the poo then rolls on his back in the poo. Anyone any ideas how to stop this or why he is doing it?? He is also netured..

Answer 1

Welcome to the world of unusual jack russell behaviour, although I'm sure quite a lot of dogs do this.



I have 2 jack russells and my eldest especially likes to roll in all sorts of poop, bird poo being her absolute favourite although she is partial to dead worms and snails as well.



As far as they are concerned, the smellier the better. They just love to stink up their fur. A couple of weeks ago they both rolled in something (I'm guessing a urine patch) and boy did they reek!



I had to wash them both when we came home from our walk. The smell was so bad that they were stinking up the house!



There is one train of thought regarding the behaviour and that is that it is an instinctual thing where the dog will try to mask it's own scent when they are in hunting or prey drive so they can sneak up on whatever they are after. With jack russells this makes some sense as they are true hunters.



There is nothing you can do about it unfortunately. When I walk my dogs I can usually tell when they are about to roll in something because they dig a bit on the ground first and I always try to look what they are about to roll in. If I see something disgusting then I'll pull them away before they get the chance to cover themselves.

Answer 2

My jack does the same thing!!! I am constantly bathing her when she comes in. She does not roll in her own but does it in other animals poo. I need an answer too! You are not alone!

Answer 3

When I was living in the UK, my Westies used to do this ALL the time:))



They used to come back from their walks looking so happy with themselves, but they were stinking:)) Their favourite scent used to be Badger poop. We corrected the habit by training them not to do it, yes it was hard but they got the message....... rolling in poop = BATH:))



I's really logical as they to it "mask" their scent. If you do catch your Jack doing this, then try squirting some water on him also.



Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Ugh, most dogs do this. Keep the yard as clean as possible, and when you're on a walk just STOP HIM from doing it. If he doesn't listen to you go for a training refresher.

Answer 5

most dogs do that because the way their brains are. their brain tells them they are entering another dogs space so they have to hide their sent so poo is the answer because it's a very strong sent.

Answer 6

except you patrol the completed area the position she is going out, earlier you enable the canines out, there is not any way you may quit her from rolling in it. All canines attempt this, it is instinct. Yelling at her after the reality is largely complicated her. %. up any stool you observe in the backyard earlier you enable her out. some backyard centers promote a cat-repellent spray, perhaps spraying that around the fringe of the fence will help shop cats out. sturdy success.

Answer 7

I honestly have no idea... maybe he is trying to cover his scent.. or do you think he might of not had the nutrition he needed as a puppy and resulted in brain damage or something?... you should check with the vet. he might no why

Answer 8

clean the poo up?

Answer 9

do the same as everyone else says train him from not doing it i like the westies owner thats a good one