Dog rolling in the mud/water in yard- WHY?

[Cataholic]

Hi everyone. My sister's chocolate lab is about 3, nuetered, and in good general health. He has taken to some quirky behavior- for no apparent reason, he rolls in the mud/water in the backyard. He didn't used to do this, and, the yard is kind of a swamp at times, with our huge amount of rain. It isn't warm by a long shot here in Cincinnati, so, it doesn't seem to be heat related. He is an indoor doggie, she gives him plenty of exercise daily, and there aren't any unusual things going on at home.

She gave me an example: several days ago, she and Ben were out in the backyard, playing with tennis balls. She has one of those 'super launchers', and after about 15 minutes, she realized he was pretty tired out- heavy breathing, not zooming back to her, and not giving up the ball. So, she started to pick up some poop, some toys, and a few minutes later, she noticed he was soaking wet and muddy from a recent roll in the sludge. It was definetly NOT warm out, and he had his water outside to drink from. She thinks he is part pig. He has done this before, and it doesn't seem to be associated with being left in the yard (as he is not), or ignored, but, there must be some reason he is doing this.

Any idea why he would do this?

Thanks,
Johanna

[LeahMM]

Does the sludge smell bad? My dogs will seek out the stinkiest things they can find and roll in it. To dogs its perfume.

[Karen]

He's just realizing he's a Lab! Seriously, every Lab - and some non-Labs - I have known just loooooooves a good roll in the mud from time to time.

Their owners, of course, are never as appreciative of the results, especially as mud-covered dogs don't ever realize they are NOT as cuddleable or welcome in the house like that!

[Cataholic]

Neither of those answers are going to go over well with Ben's hooman.

I will show her the link, offer my support, and tell her once again about felines....

[Cinder & Smoke]

She noticed he was soaking wet and muddy from a recent roll in the sludge.
It was definetly NOT warm out, and he had his water outside to drink from.

She thinks he is part pig.

He has done this before ... there must be some reason he is doing this.

Any idea why he would do this?

WHY ??


Kuz it's **PHUNN** to roll in the *yuck*!!

Annnd ... I'm a Dawg!

[Ginger's Mom]

I will show her the link, offer my support, and tell her once again about felines....

LOL Yep, I have to agree it is just instinct (a throwback to their more primitive hunting days - probably not appreciated or needed in todays more domesticated situtations). Ben is an adult male now and ready to lead his pack, lol.

[Kfamr]

It's fun! That's why dogs are SO awesome... they are very outgoing.

[.sarah]

Any idea why he would do this?

Because he is a Lab

My Labs love a good mud puddle ....

[lute]

Gracie does the same thing. when we visit my friend that shows and breeds sibes Gracie goes to the same hole and digs and digs. she has dug such a huge hole that my friend put a small sign next to the hole that says "Gracie's Crater"

Gracie has also waded in a HUGE muck puddel. it was almost a lake. a stranger worked throught the muck to have her jump right out. we thought she was stuck. the stranger lost his shoes and had to go chasing after his own dog.

mud and dogs just go together....in a cute, messy way. i personally wouldn't have it any other way!

[shais_mom]

I have to agree
It's a dog thing. Keegan's favorite thing to do is rolling in the snow or the leaves. Even a dead skunk once!
Look what Keegan did!
Show her these pics and let HER think she's lucky!

for now anyway


If the ‘View album’ button doesn’t work, copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...=9Qas2bFs1US8Q

here's a preview of the rest of the pics

[k9krazee]

She thinks he is part pig.

LOL!!!!

[Vette]

LOL this thread reminds me of bridge girl Muffin...
she LOVED water. she'd play in every single puddle of water..

luckily she never rolled in them though

[Corinna]

Mud ?? water ?? look for the Newfies to be in it. even if it's a bucket of water look out we will try to bahte in it.

[dappledoxie]

I bet he just enjoys the mud and water, I find that most dogs like to get dirty and also roll in smelly stuff. When Niki and Rebel used to play, they loved to play around this huge puddle right past the edge of the woods in the yard. Niki would stand in the middle of the puddle and bark at Rebel and he would bark at her but wouldn't go all the way in after her. They'd come back soooo wet and dirty!! lol Man I miss Niki so bad, she's always so funny and sweet.

Claire and Rebel, even Tucker, they love to roll in anything smelly they might find in the yard.

[MariaM]

Hehe, yeah, thats just wha labs do. One time it was so hilarious...Major walked his way to a mud puddle, stood in it for a second, and then laid down.

He has rolled himself in dead skunk 2 or 3 times, sick, but he LOVES it.