Dead animals
We had glorious beautiful weather yesterday, and I took my sheepdog to the beach. This was an off-leash beach, and there were not many humans around, so he frolic and played like a happy puppy. And as we walked along the sand we ran into a carcass of a large sea lion, already smelling and decomposing. He ran to it and just threw himself at it, and rolled on the dead animal with such gusto and ecstasy, it was hard to pull him off it. In the end, his fur was stained, it was so gross! Luckily we were at the beach, so I threw his ball into the water many many times to make the sea water wash the gunk off him. In the past, he has been attracted to dead birds as well. Why do dogs do this behavior, does anyone understand? Cheers, Cadenza |
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| I think it is instinctive hunting behavior. Dogs are predatory animals that evolved to stalk and capture prey. The prey animals have evolved the ability smell the presence of dogs from afar, so dogs have evolved a counter tactic to cover themselves with strong smells which the prey animals do not identify with them. Anything stinky will do. Cow pies are a favorite if you take your dog out on range land. I guess the dead sea lion had good potential for a disguise. |
Ooooh doggie cologne!!! The pongier the better 
One of mine years ago, a dead half liquidised possum under a bush in the garden, Madam walked in the house with the most "Out of this World" smell on her, looked like rice on her coat turned out to be maggots. EEEWWWWWW.   She had a look in her face of "Gee Ma dont I smell awesome" the looked changed when I threw her in the bath 
We wont even go too farms and green fresh sloppy cow dung.   Been there with done that with a sheepdog who picked out the freshest most smelliest cow pat in the paddock to cover herself with. A dam came in handy that day, chuck one sheepdog into the dam, towel off, drive 3 hours back home on a hot day with all windows open, gagging at the smell till you can shampoo off the pong and dry them when you reach your home destination. 
As I said the Pongier the better they seem to like to roll in it. Looks like your sheepdog gave his "Seal" of approval to a great new doggie Perfume he probably thought Ooooooh smells awesome  "Sea Lion Eau De Le pong" |
| so odd you posted this...today Chiquita came across another dead bird in our back yard. I know, right? ANOTHER! What are the odds of TWO dead birds?
I felt bad because I yanked (not hard) her up to the deck for barking and barking at the back fence line. Dogs in the other yard and I mistakenly thought she was trying to call them out. But as soon as I finished scolding her she went back and barked and barked and barked. I went down to investigate finally realizing this has to be more than I think. And there was a dead bird. Thank God she didn't eat it. Would a dog eat a dead bird? And why was she barking at it? |
rfloch wrote: I think it is instinctive hunting behavior. Dogs are predatory animals that evolved to stalk and capture prey. The prey animals have evolved the ability smell the presence of dogs from afar, so dogs have evolved a counter tactic to cover themselves with strong smells which the prey animals do not identify with them. Anything stinky will do. Cow pies are a favorite if you take your dog out on range land. I guess the dead sea lion had good potential for a disguise.
This theory sounds very reasonable, except for the uncontrollable ecstasy they seem to display while they are rolling on the smelly stuff. It's like they're experiencing a drug induced "high" or something. |
DannyboyStephjoy's OES wrote: so odd you posted this...today Chiquita came across another dead bird in our back yard. I know, right? ANOTHER! What are the odds of TWO dead birds?
I felt bad because I yanked (not hard) her up to the deck for barking and barking at the back fence line. Dogs in the other yard and I mistakenly thought she was trying to call them out. But as soon as I finished scolding her she went back and barked and barked and barked. I went down to investigate finally realizing this has to be more than I think. And there was a dead bird. Thank God she didn't eat it. Would a dog eat a dead bird? And why was she barking at it? Yep and you generally find out about it a day or two later when they barf up the undigestible bits - feathers, beaks, and little feet.  
Yes, personal experience. Dalmos have a bit of bird dog in their ancestory AND they are the biggest scavenger dogs I have ever come across. |
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