Rolling around...

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by leejane, Apr 3, 2017.

  1. leejane

    leejane Mum to the Mooster

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    Monty has a strange habit. On most walks, whether on lead or not, he will suddenly stop and throw himself down on the ground, roll side to side on his back like he's got an awful itch, for 5-8 seconds, then jumps up and carries on. I've started watching and it only happens once per walk, around 15 minutes in. It's always on open grass or fields, never a grass verge. Also never in muddy grass, although sometimes in wet grass.
    Here's a rather inelegant photo.:)
    Am I naive to think he just has an itch? He never smells especially bad afterwards (in winter/spring the smell of ditch water ever-lingers anyway)
    IMG-20170307-WA0000[210].jpg
     
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  2. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Lilly like a good rub on the grass in the back garden but its not a regular.
    Love that photo :)
     
  3. leejane

    leejane Mum to the Mooster

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    Showing off all his private white hairs! For a few moments he's in ecstasy...
     
  4. Ski-Patroller

    Ski-Patroller Cooper, Terminally Cute

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    Both our dogs, especially Tilly do that, in both grass and snow.
     
  5. Beanwood

    Beanwood Registered Users

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    He looks full of the joys of spring! :)
     
  6. leejane

    leejane Mum to the Mooster

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    His legs remind me of chicken legs...
     
  7. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    :cwl:Harley hasn't ever done it, but I know lots of dogs who do!
     
  8. SteffiS

    SteffiS Registered Users

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    Ripple loves to do that, usually when I'm trying to do training with him :rolleyes:.
     
  9. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    W&S both do this, after a good sniff. I think that there's something they can smell that I (thankfully) can't.
     
  10. Joy

    Joy Registered Users

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    Molly loves a good roll too.
     
  11. Emily_BabbelHund

    Emily_BabbelHund Longest on the Forum without an actual dog

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    Brogan always did this - I'd love to watch him because he looked so darn happy and silly. :D
     
  12. leejane

    leejane Mum to the Mooster

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    Ah, he's normal then. I just wish I understood his absolute intention, at that moment there's not a thing you could say or do to stop him.I'm a little obsessed by the apparent predictably of it at the moment.
     
  13. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    He likes it, it's fun
     
  14. Lisa

    Lisa Registered Users

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    Simba does this too. Scratching their own backs, I think!
     
  15. Snowshoe

    Snowshoe Registered Users

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    LOL, I think dogs who Don't roll around like that are strange. I see he has a harness on, maybe it rubs some hair the wrong way. Maybe it enhances the scratch. Maybe he's starting to shed a bit. Maybe it's just fun. You should try rolling in the grass with him, see what he makes of that. :) You did when you were a kid I bet. :) Giggle when you do, they like that. :)
     
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  16. Helen

    Helen Registered Users

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    My boy always does this, thankfully he doesn't roll in anything nasty.
    We walk him over our local cricket pitch and he always goes in the pitch bit as it's not muddy but good grass and rolls in there.
     
  17. Plum's mum

    Plum's mum Registered Users

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    I remember all the labs I had growing up used to do this, especially if we'd been walking in woods and reached a large open expanse of green. But they'd do it anywhere and my pup does it too. Last night she did it after climbing off the sofa coz she was too hot. She had a good old roll then fell asleep mid roll!
    I always think of the rolling as them displaying their sheer joy at being alive!
     

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