Can you Stop your Dog from Rolling in Fox Poo?

There are an increasing amount of foxes in Chiswick and the surrounding areas and therefore you are very likely to encounter fox poo on your Chiswick Dog Walks and your dog is likely to want to roll in it and or eat it.

Why?

Many theories exist as to why dogs roll in fox poo which may also apply to carcasses too.

These theories include: an inherited instinctual trait to mask their scent, an inherited instinctual trait to leave their scent behind like writing I was here on a wall or even an inherited instinctual trait to take scent back home as a kind of ‘scent postcard, saying I have been there or as a way of attracting attention because of how good they now smell to conspecifics (other dogs).  Whilst the origins may be a combination of all these theories what ethologically speaking, seems clear is that they like the scent and enjoy rolling in fox poo.

How to stop it?

‘You can’t ask a dog what NOT TO do, only what TO do.’

 If you follow that rule, then what do you want your dog to do? I would say the simplest is to teach a good enough recall so that as you see your dog go down for a roll you call them out before they do and then perhaps ask for a ‘with me’ to navigate them away.

Can I make them default to that behaviour, so I don’t have to always ask and be so vigilant?

Theoretically you could gather up loads of fox poo or actively go seeking it and practice and practice your recall around it or alternative behaviour of choice. Olfactory cues (smell), are incredibly pronounced for a dog so with lots of practice the smell of fox poo in theory could cue your dog to automatically offer the behavior you have taught i.e ‘Recall.’ However, one, you are going to have to practice so much and be really vigilant of reinforcing your dog every time they suddenly come back to you because they are going to know there is fox poo a longtime before you and secondly, the reality is, unless you cue the recall, your dog may still roll in fox poo because it is highly reinforcing and / or because it is a hardwired inherited behaviour.

What about Punishment like e- collars to just stop them doing it?

Ethics aside the issue is your dog could could make an incorrect association and think being in the park, walks with you windy tress or something else, creates random acts of punishment not fox poo. Now you have a dog who is scared of going in that park or being near trees or whatever.

Random, unpredictable events, especially involving punishment leads to fear phobia and anxiety, especially in dogs pre disposed to anxious behavior or lacking significant socialisation.

Even if it does not create a fear response, if you punish a behaviour but do not teach the right thing to do, you may get another behaviour you do not want.

Then at the end of all this your dog still has a hardwired desire to roll in fox poo and history of reinforcement for doing so, thus you may punish them and create all these other bad behaviour and side effects and still never solve the fox poo issue.

Conclusion:

I recommend you teach a good recall, practice it with multiple distractions including fox poo and carcasses and then if you see them doing the sniff that presides a roll, recall your dog.

If you need help with teaching recall we provide Dog training, behaviour and walks in Chiswick, Hammersmith and the areas of West London in between.