Can you stop your dog from getting filthy on walks?
Most dogs are naturally drawn to explore the outdoors with enthusiasm, often leading them to find and roll in all sorts of muck. As a result, many owners face the challenge of their dog coming back from a walk covered in mud, poo, or other dirty substances. While it's impossible to keep your dog perfectly clean during outdoor adventures, there are effective strategies to minimise the mess and keep your furry friend as tidy as possible. In this guide, we'll explore why dogs love to get messy and share 11 practical ways you can help prevent your dog from getting filthy during walks.
Why Do Dogs Like to Get Messy?
Dogs have a different perspective on cleanliness compared to humans. What we find disgusting, many dogs find intriguing or even pleasurable. This is partly because certain breeds were bred for outdoor work and show less aversion to water, mud, and dirt. For example, Springer spaniel puppies and Labrador retriever puppies are well-known for their love of water and mud due to their gundog heritage. Their coats are designed to withstand rugged, wet environments, which can make keeping them clean a continual effort for their owners.
Aside from breed traits, dogs use scent as a form of communication and social marking. Rolling in strong smells like poo or carrion masks their own scent from predators or rivals, an evolutionary behaviour that makes perfect sense from a dog's viewpoint but is less appreciated by humans.
Why Do Dogs Roll in Poo and Carrion?
Rolling in foul-smelling substances is a deliberate behaviour for many dogs. It's thought to serve several purposes, including:
- Helping to mask their own scent from potential threats.
- Marking their territory with sensory signals for other dogs.
- Instinctively connecting to the natural pecking order within the animal kingdom.
Interestingly, if your dog tends to do this after a bath, it may be because the shampoo scent is unfamiliar or even off-putting to them. Dogs rely heavily on scent to recognise themselves and feel secure.
11 Ways to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Filthy on Walks
While it's unrealistic to keep any dog completely pristine during outdoor activities, the following tips will help keep the mess manageable and your dog more comfortable.
- Choose Dry, Clean Walking Routes: Plan walks in areas less prone to mud and puddles, such as paved paths, gravel trails, or well-maintained parks.
- Keep Your Dog on a Lead in Risky Areas: Managing your dog’s movement in places where mud and mess are common can help minimise their opportunities to get dirty.
- Invest in a Waterproof Dog Coat: A good quality waterproof coat protects your dog's body from mud and water, especially in the wet British weather.
- Watch for Potential Mess Ahead: Train yourself to scan walking routes to spot muddy patches or unpleasant smells early, then redirect your dog accordingly.
- Consistent Recall Training: Strong recall and obedience skills are essential to stop your dog before they get into messy situations. This takes time but provides long-term benefits for safety and cleanliness.
- Use Unscented Shampoos and Avoid Frequent Baths: Highly fragranced shampoos can encourage dogs to mask their scent, and over-bathing can dry out their skin making the problem worse.
- Vet Check for Skin Issues: If your dog rolls in dirt or poo frequently, check with your vet to rule out skin irritation or allergies that might cause discomfort.
- Quick Cleaning Post-Walk: Remove mud before it dries using dog-friendly wipes or gentle water rinses to prevent tracking dirt into your home.
- Lead On When Smells Are Detected: Dogs can detect foul smells far before humans. When you notice these, put your dog on the lead to prevent them from rolling in the source.
- Stay Calm and Patient: Yelling or punishing your dog when they get dirty won’t help and may harm your bond. Gentle correction and redirection works best.
- Keep Paw Hair Trimmed: Regular grooming reduces mud clinging and helps keep feet cleaner.
By combining these practical tips, you can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of your dog getting filthy on walks while still allowing them to enjoy the outdoors safely and happily.
