Why does a dog rock on its back?

Surely every dog ​​owner has at least once seen his pet rocking on his back. Why do dogs rock on their backs and what to do about it?

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Why do dogs like to roll on their backs?

Researchers have not yet come to a consensus on why dogs love to swing on their backs so much. There are several hypotheses that offer an explanation for this habit.

1. Pleasure. When a dog rolls on its back, it stimulates the nerve endings that are connected to the hair follicles, so it’s a kind of massage. Some dogs especially like to swing on the snow and grass, and it is obvious that the process gives them a lot of fun. Sometimes this is how dogs try to cope with stress.
2. Itching. The dog’s back itches, and it is impossible to reach the itchy place with your teeth or hind paw. And what else is left but to lie on your back to relieve the itch? If this happens rarely, there is probably nothing to worry about. But if the dog often sways on its back and at the same time whines or squeaks, it may be that itching is painful for it and is associated with the presence of parasites or a dermatological disease.
3. Hygiene. It is believed that, rolling on snow or grass, the dog removes dead hairs or simply cleans the coat.
4. New scent. Do not feed some dogs with bread – let them wallow in rotten meat or feces! Owners, of course, are not at all happy about this, although such behavior is quite natural for a dog. However, its cause has not yet been precisely established. Some believe that dogs mask their scent in this way. Others – what a dog does to enjoy a new scent – similar to how people use perfume. There is also a hypothesis that dogs swing on their backs to convey their own smell and thus “check in”: “I was here.”

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What to do if the dog is rocking on its back?

The actions of the owner depend on the reason why the dog is rolling on its back.

1. If the dog sways on its back often, and even squeaks or whines, it is worth consulting with a veterinarian. It could be parasites or skin disease, and the sooner treatment is started, the better.
2. If your dog rolls on his back after bathing, the smell of the shampoo or conditioner may be too strong for him.
3. If the cause of back wallowing is stress or boredom, this is an occasion to reconsider the conditions of the dog’s life. Perhaps it is worth enriching the environment in which she lives and adding variety?