Why do dogs love rolling on their backs?

There’s no one way to explain it, but there are a few hypotheses that offer an explanation of this habit.
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1️⃣ Just for pleasure. When dogs roll on their backs, they stimulate the nervous endings that are connected to hair follicles, which creates a massage effect.
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Some dogs especially enjoy rolling in the snow or in the grass, and it’s obvious that this process brings them a lot of joy.
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Sometimes it can also be a way to battle stress.
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2️⃣ Itching. When the back is itching, but it’s impossible to reach and scratch it with teeth or paws.
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What else is there to do except roll on the back in order to scratch that spot? If this doesn’t happen often, there’s most probably no need to worry.
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However, if your dog tends to roll on his/her back and also whimpers or whistles while doing that, there is a chance that the itching is painful and caused by parasites or a dermatological issue.
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3️⃣ Hygiene. Dogs might roll on their backs in order to remove all dead hairs or just clean their fur.
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4️⃣ A new smell. Some dogs adore rolling in some quite horribly-smelling things or in feces!
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Dog parents do not particularly enjoy such behavior, but it is completely natural.
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However, the reason dog do it is not yet known. Some say that that’s how they disguise their own smell, others – that this helps them enjoy new smells to the fullest, like humans do with perfume.
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There’s also a hypothesis that states that dogs roll on their backs in order to transfer their smell to the spot and mark it: “I was here”.
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So, what do we do as dog parents?
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Your actions will depend on the reason your dog rolls on his/her back.
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1️⃣ If this behavior happens often and is accompanied by whining and whistling, it’s better to see a veterinarian about it. This might have to do with parasites or skin condition, and the earlier you start treating the problem, the better.
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2️⃣ If your dog does it after a bath, this might be a sign that the shampoo or conditioner you are using have an overly intense smell.
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3️⃣ If the reason for rolling is stress or boredom, the answer to that would be enrichment of environment and more diversity.