Why is it when you give a dog a bath ...

United States
April 7, 2008 10:48am CST
Why is it when you give a dog a bath they run outside and start rolling in the dirt/gravel/ or grass? Every time we have bathed our dog, towel dried him, and then let him out he does this. Also with every other dog I have owned they have done this as well. It's odd just seeing them do this after you have washed them.
1 person likes this
6 responses
uath13
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
7 Apr 08
Dogs don't have the same sense of smell that we have. What smells good to us might not to them. Soap for instance is often offensive to animals.
3 people like this
uath13
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
7 Apr 08
All dogs have the same instincts to varing degrees. One of those instincts is camaflage. If their pray can't see/smell them then they can get closer before the chase begins. Perfumes & soaps aren't natural smells so that gives them away, thus a quick dirt bath.
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miller1978
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
7 Apr 08
Interesting look on the matter. I wonder if that's the case for all dogs since they have several different brands, smells, and odors.
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quiltedblessings
@quiltedblessings (1066)
• United States
7 Apr 08
I don't know, but all 3 of my dogs do it, and it makes me crazy!!!!
2 people like this
miller1978
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
7 Apr 08
Yup makes me crazy as well !!! I am glad we only have the one though because three would be too much if they all did it. *LOL*
sion316
@sion316 (228)
•
9 Sep 08
The reason a dog does this is to be familiar with its surroundings,they do this because of their wolf instinct. Not many people know this but all dogs are 98.2% wolf. So i think thats the only logical explanaton to your question.
Marie Anne
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
8 Apr 08
They itch! My horses would do the same thing. Even after a short ride, once that saddle and blanket came off and they were wiped down, my horse would get down and roll for a good scratching within seconds of being let out.
2 people like this
Breath
@Breath (1297)
• United States
7 Apr 08
The only answer I can give is PAY BACK because most dogs are not that crazy about taking a bath.On another note everytime I give my kids a bath they do the same thing.lol..Guess they don't care if they are clean they just want to get dirty and have fun...Dogs and kids got to love them and keep plenty a soap around for bath day.lol
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miller1978
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
7 Apr 08
*LOL* I know what you mean about the kid thing. My kids also do the same thing. They get a bath and it's a contest between them to find out who can get the dirtiest fastest. I think that annoys me more than the dog getting dirty after a bath.
1 person likes this
Breath
@Breath (1297)
• United States
14 May 08
Thanks for the BR!!!
mandilyn25
@mandilyn25 (167)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I think they do it to get the CLEAN off them.haha My dog does it to.It drives me nutty. I'll spend time giving him a bath and dry him then he goes and rolls in mud. Go figure. I started letting him dry all the way and wait a few hours then let him out. It's like he forgets he's clean.
2 people like this