Rolling

In rapid sequence, the dog repeatedly alternates lying on its back, side and abdomen. This behaviour may include contorsions such as the dog rubbing its back on the ground. While rolling can be a behaviour linked to stress, it is also grouped in the ethogram as a care behaviour.
(Goodmann, 2002; Koler-Matznick, 2005)

This male Golden Retriever has grabbed a leash left lying on the ground, and is rolling.

During an Obedience trial, this female Golden Retriever has grabbed the piece of wood used in the scent discrimination exercise and, while returning to her handler, has stopped to roll.

VIDEO

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This female Pit Bull is showing alarm as the male Cane Corso approaches. She greets the owner, then approaches the male dog at the fence. She runs toward the gate, leaps against an unfamiliar person, stops and drinks and then greets the unfamiliar person. The Pit Bull rolls on the ground, and the male Cane Corso approaches her at a gallop. She moves away, briefly encountering the owner of the male Cane Corso. The Pit Bull runs and then rolls; when the male approaches, she gets up and exhibits the intention to give a jaw punch and then runs away, chased by the male. She runs with her shoulders lowered (hindquarters higher than her shoulders), displaying piloerection (hackles raised) and tail down. When the male Cane Corso overtakes her, she continues to run after him for a few strides, then approaches the owner of the male dog and attempts to hurtle against her with her shoulder.

repeated behaviours<>running