Why Do Dogs Roll in Grass

Dogs roll in grass for several reasons, many of which are rooted in instinct. In this article we’ll go over the most common reasons for why dogs roll in grass, and what to do if it becomes excessive.

Masking Their Scent

The most common reason dogs roll in grass is to mask their scent. Grass is covered in smells, and rolling in those scents is an instinctual behavior they use to disguise their own smell from predators and/or prey.

I’m sure you’ve taken your dog outside to do their business only to notice them sniff out some fresh urine or poop in the yard and begin rolling in it. It’s extremely gross to us, but to our dogs it’s just instinct. Masking their own scent helps wolves get closer to their prey without being noticed.

To Mark Their Own Scent

Another reason dogs roll in the grass is to cover up scents with their own. While urinating is the more common form of scent marking, rolling can accomplish the same thing.

Our dogs have scent glands they use to leave their mark on grass, signaling all sorts of other information to others such as what they’ve been eating. You may also notice your dog does the same thing on new beds or blankets; rolling around in it to make it their own.