Sniffing between the butts is one of the first things to happen when two dogs get together. This might be considered offensive or unwelcome to you but your dog will see the situation differently. What is the reason why dogs get licked on at each other’s rear ends? Does this constitute something that is healthy and normal to do?
Your dog’s sense of Smell
The olfactory system of dogs is highly complex and sophisticated, making its sense of smell superior to the senses of humans. For a better understanding of the differences, take into consideration the fact that humans have around five million olfactory sensory receptors inside their noses while dogs have around 220 million. Dogs can detect multiple layers of scents, even when they can’t smell anything. This is a truly impressive nose.
If you had a nose as big as that, you’d be tempted to sniff everything! Dogs are able to sniff their way through life due to two primary reasons:
- Enjoyment: Stuff smells good! It’s fun to smell things. Smelling is enjoyable and stimulating.
- Information Dogs like to know or discover more about something or someone.
The reason dogs sniff their butts
People often think of sniffing between dogs as a form of greeting however it’s much more than it seems. By inhaling, dogs have the ability to gain knowledge about one another. Every animal has their own distinctive scent. This is true for humans, dogs, and cats, as well as all other species of animals. While we and you may only be able to detect the scent of our own our dogs are able to detect a variety of clues with their noses. These scents are particularly powerful in the anus and genitals (the area where the anal sacs contain the odorous fluid). The scents that are present in this area could reveal another dog’s gender and food habits, reproductive status as well as health and temperament, and so on. A dog can also remember scents and decide if they have met the animal before.
If dogs meet there are stories to share. People make small talk at dinner parties. Dogs lick each other’s backs. It’s an everyday occurrence.
A lot of dogs try to learn more about their owners throughsniffing, um, crotch. This can be to our dismay. It’s not something you have to worry about. It’s simply a part of the canine character. However, dog owners need to beware of this behavior. Should your dog be sniffing crotch on anyone, make sure you redirect him to another location! If you don’t, you could be surprised to discover that people are really snobby about your pet.
Should I Allow My Dog to sniff other Dogs?
If each dog is healthy, well-socialized, and well-supervised, it’s best to allow them to “sniff it out” as often as they’d like (provided the dogs are both able to tolerate the situation well). Dogs may actually be less likely to fight if they take an adequate amount of “getting-to-sniff-you” time with one another. However, some dogs could be irritable by sniffing, while others need their own space.
Be aware of the behavior in the behavior and body language of all pets. When one of the dogs is doing too much of it, and the other is agitated or stressed owners must remove their dogs from the area. It is also advisable for dogs to get together and play together. They are also more likely be over-excited when playing in groups, which could cause fights.