Dogs, particularly when it comes to utilizing their sense of smell, aren’t well-versed in the limits of the human world. When meeting a new dog, they typically extend their greeting to the human’s rear end for a short sniff. Dogs have no compunction about shoving their noses into the crotch of their owners or visitors. Invasive sniffing is your dog’s way of saying hello and learning about someone, even though it might be humiliating, particularly if your dog does it to a guest.
The canine nose is one potent instrument. When compared to the 6 million smell receptors in a human nose, a dog may have up to 300 million. Because of this, their sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 times more acute than ours. Michael T. Nappier, DVM, DABVP of the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine uses an example that a dog can “detect the equivalent of a 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.”
Jacobson’s organ, or the vomeronasal organ, is a specialized organ in dogs that processes odors. The organ, which is placed in the dog’s skull just above the roof of the mouth, is crucial to the animal’s sense of smell. It’s linked to the canine brain region that processes smell, which is around 40 times bigger than the human equivalent. This is why dogs are used in a wide variety of drug, bomb, cancer, insulin, and pest detection roles.
Canine genital smelling is a mystery, therefore why do dogs do it?
But it doesn’t explain why dogs feel the urge to smell human genitalia. The apocrine glands, which produce sweat, are the key. Pheromones are hormone-like chemicals secreted by certain glands that may reveal a mammal’s age, sex, mood, and even its reproductive status. While dogs’ apocrine glands may be found all over their bodies, the largest concentration is in their genitalia and anus, which explains why dogs often smell each other’s privates.
To determine whether or not a potential mate is ovulating or pregnant, intact male dogs are reported to engage in extensive sniffing during mating season. Humans, like other animals, possess apocrine glands. In human beings, these glands are most numerous in the pits of the shoulders and the genitalia. A dog’s only real access to a person is via the genitalia, so that’s where they go to get the lowdown. Dogs with a heightened sense of smell, including Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, and Beagles, are predisposed to investigating groin areas.
What Can a Dog Sense From Smelling Your Crotch?
Some human crotches are more likely to attract a dog’s curious nose:
- Those who have recently had sexual intercourse
- Those who are menstruating
- Those who have recently given birth
A dog’s curiosity may be peaked by any of these. The reason for this is the elevated pheromone levels such folks have. If a dog is acquainted with its owner but the person is menstruating or has just given birth, the dog may get curious about the source of the new scent. Because of the owner’s fragrance, underwear is a popular target for thieving dogs.
Due to their acute sense of smell, dogs may be able to detect a woman’s ovulation by sniffing the air. How Dogs Think author Stanley Coren, Ph.D., DSc, FRSC discusses the training of Australian Shepherds to detect lactating cows. According to those who work in the cattle industry, this approach is simpler than others for predicting ovulation, and it has helped them breed cows in the little window of opportunity available. While it has not been scientifically shown that dogs can feel when their human owners ovulate, they are certainly sensitive to changes in their owners’ moods and energy levels. It is possible that a dog’s ovulation-detection abilities also include detecting ovarian cancer.
Exactly what should you do if your dog insists on sniffing the crotches of your visitors?
You and your visitor may wish to avoid the scenario even if the dog’s scent-driven interest is just about learning more and saying hello.
If your dog loves to smell people’s privates, you could want to train visitors to offer their hand or fist first when they enter the home. This diverts the dog’s attention away from the crotch. The dog may learn about the new person without getting too intimate by using his or her fist. When guests arrive, you might teach your dog to sit as a sign of respect.
The dog’s nose in your crotch is just him trying to strike up a conversation. It’s uncomfortable, and you’d probably rather move on, yet it’s useful for learning the basics about someone. Infamous or not, a dog’s nose always knows.
Utilize Your Dog’s Sense of Scent
Your dog’s keen sense of smell may be put to good use in a variety of games that will entertain both of you.
To find a smell and let their handlers know it’s been detected is the goal of AKC Scent Work, a sport that simulates the job of working detection dogs. In Scent Work, this incredible partnership is transformed into a game that every dog may enjoy. All dogs, mixed or purebred, are welcome.
The training may be done in the comfort of one’s own home or in the company of friends and neighbors since the searches are realistic simulations. Many dog training facilities also provide Scent Work instruction, so it’s worth looking into joining a local Scent Workgroup. To learn where to locate local Scent Work courses, use the Club Search or the Training Resources.