First Timer - Help

BuggaJuga · 05-16-2008, 03:31 PM

I recently adopted my first dog – he is a pit mix (Pit and Greyhound – I think). When I let him out to run in my yard, he often finds an area in the grass and rubs his entire body on the spot – essentially getting the smell all over him from the spot. After he does this and he comes back into the house he is totally out of control, and I can even smell the odor of whatever he was rolling in on him. He jumps growls, snaps, and bit a few times at me. Last night he got the smell on him so bad I had to bathe him to get the odor off after he calmed down.

I have no idea why he is doing this or how to remedy this behavior. I think it might be his hunting instinct kicking in to get the smell of his prey on him? I think he maybe rubbing himself on rabbit feces as we have a lot of them in the area? As I am first timer and really do not know what to do about this problem.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thank you

Noah · 05-16-2008, 09:54 PM

A lot of dogs do this, although not sure about the crazy part. I've known tons of dogs who go find a horse poo pile or something and love to grind the stuff into their fur. Don't really know why they do it. I suggest keeping him on a leash, and keeping the yard nice and neat.

triaxle32590 · 05-16-2008, 10:44 PM

There is a product out there called no bounderys... You spray it on the area and it repels the dog from that area... My dog was doing the same thing and I had to keep spraying the area and he learned not to like it any more...So I now have a fresh smelling Schauzer

and a yard that is not a dug up LOL

Good luck to ya...

DogsforMe · 05-17-2008, 07:04 AM

I would be worried about him baring his teeth at you & biting. I think you should find a good behaviourist to help you with him before he does bite you.

BuggaJuga · 05-18-2008, 09:09 PM

Thanks - I will look into the no boundaries product, also we are going to a behaviorist and a trainer on Tuesday. Other than when he does it his behavior is great, but I'm still a little concerned as to how to handle it. I hope I find out

bluedawg · 05-18-2008, 10:58 PM

My Pit/GH mix, likely mixed with a 3rd breed due to her coat, likes to roll in the stink. First thing she did on her first rafting trip, other than crapping on the deck of the raft, was to find a and roll in a dead fish. She was pretty ripe for 4 days.

Lets see some pics of yer boy.

poodleholic · 05-19-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

BuggaJuga;294159]I recently adopted my first dog – he is a pit mix (Pit and Greyhound – I think). When I let him out to run in my yard, he often finds an area in the grass and rubs his entire body on the spot – essentially getting the smell all over him from the spot.

Dogs do this, some more than others. Keep the yard cleaned up - no problem.

Quote:

After he does this and he comes back into the house he is totally out of control, and I can even smell the odor of whatever he was rolling in on him. He jumps growls, snaps, and bit a few times at me.

Sounds like he's revved up with nowhere to go. How much exercise is he getting? What kind of exercise?

Quote:

I have no idea why he is doing this or how to remedy this behavior. I think it might be his hunting instinct kicking in to get the smell of his prey on him? I think he maybe rubbing himself on rabbit feces as we have a lot of them in the area? As I am first timer and really do not know what to do about this problem.

About the only thing you can do is to rake up the rabbit feces, so he doesn't roll around in it.

BuggaJuga · 05-19-2008, 08:45 AM

Thank you - I went throught the yard this weekend and looked around and did my best to clean up all of the rabbit feces - I noted a better change in his behavior.

Late Saturday night I noticed a possum going through the yard. I am now wondering if he was infact rolling in the possom's feces. He is up-to-date on his rabbies shots so I am not too worried if they end up in a confrontation, I am going to place a trap out there tomorrow night to see if I can get him.

I tried to upload a picture - as requested above. Hope it comes through properly.

QUOTE:Sounds like he's revved up with nowhere to go. How much exercise is he getting? What kind of exercise?

I am taking him on a minumum of a one mile walk on weekdays - slow and steady. On weekneds we job 2-3 mile jog together Sat & Sun.