Additionally, ear mites are a common and very contagious problem for dogs, particularly in breeds with long, floppy ears such as the Springer spaniel. Happily, this 18-week-old pup was absolutely fine. Our favorite: The Dunbar Academy Training Program - If you want a happy and obedient dog, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. Teething. Answer Save. Additionally, if your dog is in a new area or has recently had a bath (and so, they can tell a distinct difference between their own scent and that of their environment) they may be trying to imbue themselves with the scent of their immediate area, in an evolutionary defence against becoming a target for predators due to their distinctive scent. It would also help to consider if there is a certain time that it tends to do it more. The cause could be that it has something stuck on its face. It is my hope that you find Pet Dog Owner to be a helpful resource. She also does it after she comes in from the rain, and it’s just a way for her to help dry off. It’s a bit like being given a vigorous brushing. These clients were anxious to be seen because their dog was rubbing her face against the floor. For some dog owners, walks require a high level of vigilance in order to ensure that the pooch in question does not home in on something smelly and disgusting (such as poop or a decaying carcass) and roll in it, one canine behaviour that is a constant source of confusion and annoyance! Swollen, red eye; Excessive tear production; Rubbing the eye; Grass seeds in dog’s paw. Select from premium Dog Rubbing Face of the highest quality. Alternatively, he might just as well rub his face against the carpet, furniture or even your legs for better friction. You can get the first month free using This link. For pups who can’t stand a piece of food left on their face or between their teeth, they might rub their face across carpet, upholstered furniture, or even grass to get those hard-to-clean spots. For dogs that are apt to roll in stinky things, rubbing the head and face in the grass may present in certain situations if your dog has sniffed out something unusual that passed through-even if there is nothing to see or smell to us as humans-and trying to amplify and process the scent by getting as close to it as possible. I was taking Harley out for a walk and she stopped to smell this patch of grass, I thought she was going to go potty..... Rubbing Face on Grass? 1 decade ago. Your dog … He doesnt like it very much. For example, if it tends to do it more when it has not been able to get exercise, it would be more likely to be due to being bored. Obviously he feels very itchy and wants … Often, dogs will rub their faces on the closest available surface in an attempt to clean food, dirt or another substance that's gotten stuck in their fur. How to Get Rid of a Rash on a Dog. Sometimes though, the glands might not empty entirely or correctly, causing discomfort for your dog. This may include such issues as skin allergies or flea and tick bites. For dogs that are apt to roll in stinky things, rubbing the head and face in the grass may present in certain situations if your dog has sniffed out something unusual that passed through-even if there is nothing to see or smell to us as humans-and trying to amplify and process the scent by getting as close to it as possible. It’s important to note that your dog’s muzzle, inside the folds of their lips, corners of the mouth, teeth and gums can hold food particles and bacteria. If your dog rubs their head and particularly ears in grass and also, on other surfaces regularly, it is wise to ask your vet to give them a quick check-up to make sure they are not suffering from ear mites or a similar parasitic problem. Though it may be to mark their scent, it probably just feels good. There could be a number of reasons why your dog is rubbing his face on the carpet. It could be the case that it has been doing it because it is bored and looking for ways to stimulate itself. This new behavior can signal a brain tumor. Rubbing, scratching and biting tend to increase the progress of blebs, producing skin crusts, erosions and ulcers. However, it would be more likely if it has also been dizzy, vomiting a lot, having seizures or having a hard time walking (source). However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main reason and there are a number of things you can do about it. Another possible cause of your dog rolling in the grass is to cool down. A Any skin irritation occurring around the mouth should be examined by a veterinarian to determine its severity and cause. This would also be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly, if it has been itching itself a lot as well, it has also been scratching or rubbing other parts of its body as well and if you have found fleas around the house. My dog was picked up by animal control last week. He will attempt to ease the unpleasant sensation by rubbing his backside on the ground or the carpet. Some dogs develop allergies that cause them to be itchy and rub their faces. In a way, individual blades of grass can function a little like tines on a comb or bristles on a brush. The ear feels hot, the lining is reddened and the dog may show some signs of … The solution – obedience training! This is probably an allergic skin disease that you are describing, it's very common in dogs at this time of year, and is often an allergy to grass pollens- so rubbing his face on the grass may well make it worse! It would also help to eradicate fleas from your home by doing things such as: Allergies can be caused by things such as shampoo, other dogs, pollen, a harness rubbing its skin or household chemicals (source). Looking for free pet advice for your Dog? If your dog rubs their head in the grass, they may be scratching an itch, attempting to relieve pressure or discomfort, or simply enjoy the tactile feedback from a combination of the hard ground and the cushioning grass. If the rubbing is incessant, or if you can see fleas, inflammation or an infection, consult with your veterinarian about the cause and treatment. This post will show you a number of reasons why your dog might have been doing it and what you can do to get it to stop. My parents’ dog was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Every person and dog has the odd itch that they cannot resist scratching, and of course if we feel achy or stiff, we are apt to unconsciously rub or massage the area in question. Even the smallest irritant can drive your pup nuts—imagine trying to clean your face with no hands! I was horrified, but he seemed to love it. Plus it's fun for them. I think it’s infected but they won’t test for that until I pay $60 to test for dry eye which I don’t think it is. Press Esc to cancel. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly, it has been rubbing a certain part of its face a lot and if you can see that something is stuck there. My dog was laying down on the floor sleeping then all of a sudden jumped up and started rubbing his face on the floor and running around frantically. One thing’s for sure: your dog isn’t rubbing himself on the ground to puzzle you. I picked him up yesterday and he has been breathing funny, rubbing his face on the ground and itching like crazy. Your dog might simply enjoy the texture of the carpet or furniture in question, just as dogs very much enjoy the feeling of grass under their feet. The dog ran away & began rubbing his face on the grass, trying to alleviate the pain. If it eats grass, it's because of an upset stomach, so the grass helps it throw up. Summary: John and Sherlock's romance has a lot of obstacles. If it is healthy, it would also help to ensure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed. So marking you as territory may be your dog displaying his ownership of you! Being pack animals, dogs will naturally look to their owners for guidance. It may also be the case that if your dog keeps rubbing her face on things, she is simply marking her territory by rubbing her own scent against furniture. He may have a mucky face that he just wants to clean, or he may simply just like the feeling of rubbing his face on the carpet so … Examples could be using a different shampoo or a harness that rubs its skin. A constant need to roll in the grass or on the living room carpet may simply indicate the natural instinct of disguising their scent or relieving an itch. Grass seeds in dog’s eye. Obviously he feels very itchy and wants to relieve it, but the more he rubs, the itchier he will get. Get 50% off your first order with this link. This is not always a good thing-for instance, if your dog suffers from hayfever or a pollen allergy, it may worsen the issue-and so it is worth considering whether or not your dog may be manifesting the symptoms of an irritating allergy or other problem. If your dog ate or went outside recently, start by checking his face and muzzle for a messy bit of food or a ticklish piece of grass. In the early stages, this is irritating to the dog who then scoots. See if your dog has rheum, commonly known as “eye gunk” or “eye boogers,” in the corners of his eyes. Prejudice. Have your dog examined by a veterinarian to identify the underlying cause and, if you haven't already done so, begin your dog on a flea and tick preventive regimen. Is he okay? What happend? Have something to say? Also, now that it's dry out it may be scratching because of dry skin. If your dog also has a nosebleed or a lump on their nose, they could have a nasal tumor, according to Care.com. Rolling on his back, especially in coarse grass, may help your dog to loosen some of this dead hair and hasten up the shedding process. Photo credit: Thinkstock On the other hand, your pup might be allergic to something in his environment or to some ingredient found in his food. Tell us what features and improvements you would like to see on Pets4Homes. as an Amazon Associate Pet Dog Owner earns from qualifying purchases. Pet Dog Owner gets paid a commission for referring traffic and business to these companies. If your dog did not always rub its face on the grass, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If your dog always rubbed its face on the grass, What is different when it tends to do it more, What to do about your dog rubbing its face on the grass. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more when it is hot and if it has started doing it more since the weather has become hotter. There could be a number of reasons why your dog is rubbing his face on the carpet. This habit can indicate one of several problem's with his skin health, so seeing a vet should be the first order of business. Another common problem occurs if the anal sac contents become infected. It may also be the case that if your dog keeps rubbing her face on things, she is simply marking her territory by rubbing her own scent against furniture. When your dog is let loose after a bath you might observe him rolling around on the ground. This is probably an allergic skin disease that you are describing, it's very common in dogs at this time of year, and is often an allergy to grass pollens- so rubbing his face on the grass may well make it worse! The incident was reported to the USPS, but it's unknown if the worker will be punished for her actions. How much should you pay for a Cockapoo puppy? Type above and press Enter to search. Our favorites: N-Bone Puppy Teething Ring (on Amazon) - Great for puppies. Dogs Need Guidance . He may have a mucky face that he just wants to clean, or he may simply just like the feeling of rubbing his face on the carpet so will go for a good head rub every so often. If your dog has been rubbing its face on the grass a lot, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. EEK!! A lot of dog owners are unaware these glands even exist, probably because many animals don’t have them. - Wag Top wagwalking.com. So why do dogs like to roll in ... especially around the face and neck. In this case, your dog's diet may be to blame, but many other things such as pollen, lawn products, household chemicals, insect bites or any medications your dog takes may be a culprit. One theory is that the need to roll in grass (or anything that has a strong smell, for that matter) is inherited from dogs’ wolf-like ancestors. Deprived from opposable thumbs and with poor manual dexterity, he'll likely use the power of his paws to clean up his face. Many dogs also seem to make it a hobby to rub their faces in the grass at every possible opportunity, often leaving them with grass stains and a collection of seeds and burs around their head and ears too! If a dog is rubbing itself to the point of bleeding, for example, this does not indicate joy. Help us by answering a short survey. If this sounds like your dog, you may well wonder what causes them to be so keen to rub their head and face in grass, what it means and if it is normal or not. So if your dog’s legs appear stiff while his cute face looks like a grumpy grandpa, what you’re seeing is tension. Postal Worker Pepper-Sprays Husky In Eyes After He Greets Her With Wagging Tail The dog ran away & began rubbing his face on the grass, trying to alleviate the pain. To get those hard-to-clean spots, they might rub their face on carpets, furniture or some grass. Petdogowner may be paid a commission from the companies mentioned in this post. By Lorra Garrick | Last update 01/21 Warning: If your dog has been pushing or rubbing his nose or face against things or into things for no apparent reason, have your pet examined by a veterinary neurologist. Whilst both humans and dogs are mammals and so, have a lot in common, we are also very different too of course-and many common canine behaviours make little sense to humans, and the same is true the other way around as well! The dog then tries to relieve the discomfort by rubbing their butt to try and free things off. Pet Dog Owner is also a participant in affiliate programs involving Dunbar Academy and Oliie Pets. A constant need to roll in the grass or on the living room carpet may simply indicate the natural instinct of disguising their scent or relieving an itch. This would be more likely if it tends to do it more before getting exercise and if it tends to do stop doing it after getting exercise. dog keeps rubbing face with paws It's a question all dog house owners have most likely asked Why is my dog rubbing its face and licking its paws? For example, if your dog does it more when you have not been giving it much attention, it might be the case that it has learned that rubbing itself on things causes you to give it attention. When we walk on it with bare feet, it kind of tickles, itches and maybe even feels a bit prickly. It could just be that, like how we enjoy the feeling of massages, rubbing its fur against the blades of grass feels good on its skin so it does it more. “The Scooting Dog Decoded,” an article published in The Whole Dog Journal speculates that anal sacs once played an important role. Head injury is a much less common cause than those mentioned above. Infected Anal Sacs. Dogs will frequently groom themselves similar to cats' habits — by licking their paws and then rubbing their faces or muzzles. Just marking territory and seeing if it's unmarked or marked. Itchiness and Illness 1,502 Posts . Same goes with any remnants of food or the occasional eye blob. This is especially the case with wrinkly pooches such as pugs, Boston terriers and bulldogs. Allergies in the dog can present themselves in a variety of different ways, and can be caused by a whole multitude of things too. But she also likes to rub herself against the grass, and it drives me CRAZY because she has long poofy fur that it takes 1/2 hour to brush the grass out of! My English bulldog is always rubbing her face in the grass when I take her out. By doing so, you should be able to rule out injury as a cause and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog. Anonymous. Dogs tend to prefer walking and playing on grass than they do on hard surfaces like gravel or asphalt, and few dogs can resist running off into a field of long, lush grass and rolling around in it for a while! Your dog will bend his body this way then that, so he is rubbing himself on the grass. This post may contain affiliate links. Inherited from Wolves. Rubbing Face My dog has had a red left eye for months, the vet said he thought it was dry eye but it’s always watering and she has yellow discharge. Why Does My Dog Rub His Face On The Carpet? For pups who can’t stand a piece of food left on their face or between their teeth, they might rub their face across carpet, upholstered furniture, or even grass to get those hard-to-clean spots. If it started doing it suddenly, it would be more likely to be due to things such as a rash, allergies, fleas or something being stuck on its face. So, why does my dog rub its face on the grass? He may be scratching his face repeatedly or several times a day, and his face may swell causing him to rub it. Regularly wiping the wrinkles of … He is still doing it now and im worried about him. One theory is that the need to roll in grass (or anything that has a strong smell, for that matter) is inherited from dogs’ … Our dogs can be alternately entertaining and infuriating, and sometimes both at the same time, depending on what they are doing! Like stated above, you should be the alpha/pack leader, not your dog. Scent glands are located in the dog's facial area, so it makes sense to reason that your dog is marking you as “territory” when he rubs his face against you. The dog’s most powerful sense is of course their sense of smell, and yet despite the sensitivity of their olfactory senses, dogs do love to get up close and personal with whatever they are sniffing at the time! It makes me feel sick to be near him. American Journey Dog Treats (on Amazon) - Great for adult dogs. The behaviour of a dog that is playing and having fun can both be really funny and also confusing, and in some cases, determinedly rubbing their head in the grass may simply be a fun activity that provides sensory feedback to the dog at the same time as delivering all of the scent information outlined above. We have been cleaning her folds at least twice a day with hypoallergenic baby wipes and it seems like it’s not working . My pittbull mix likes to rub itself against dirty grass which includes dry dog poop. Tell-tale signs your Cocker Spaniel has developed an ear infection, Canine behaviour explained - Rolling around in the grass. The dog continually scratches the inflamed ear, thereby increasing the inflammation. Do you like this article? Behaviour such as licking paws, rubbing their face on the ground, head shaking and genital licking may all sound like common traits for a dog, but keep an eye out if this behaviour becomes excessive as this may indicate the existence of grass seed wounds. ! Separation Anxiety. Be assured that your dog isn't rubbing … Just watch it. While it is true dogs love a good face rub on the carpet, bed, grass, etc., there are other accompanying behaviors that can have a very different meaning. A part of the cause might be that you have encouraged the behavior by giving it things such as toys, treats or extra attention when it does it. If you cannot figure out why your dog has been doing it, your dog has been doing it excessively or it has been behaving unusually in other ways, the best option would be to take it to a vet. My dog keeps rolling in something in my back garden and I cannot find the source of the scent, but it is the worst smell I have ever encountered. There are some types of head injuries that can cause dogs to start rubbing their heads a lot. It's unsettling enough if he does it when no one's looking, but it can be downright embarrassing in the front yard or the living room in front of your guests. It’s a bit like being given a vigorous brushing. The cause of the grass rolling could be to mask its scent so that other animals can’t smell it when it is near and so that they don’t know where it’s been.