Let ’s get to the bottom of this outlandish behavior .
Nothing can bring on a blush quite like follow your well - mannered whelp suddenly transmute into a dogged derriere tec , thrusting his nose into the nether region of both pets and citizenry . But whydodogs smell butts?Isthere a ground ?
According to Melissa McMath Hatfield , MS , CBCC - KA , CDBC , owner ofLoving Dogs in Fayetteville , Ark. , there are perfectly dear reasons why your dog is a crotch examiner and butt sniffer ( we have in mind this term in the kindest mode possible ) . And better yet , there are ways you’re able to lightly redirect this behavior , when necessary .
Why Do Dogs Smell Each Other’s Butts?
Dogs sniffing each other ’s tramp is often line as the handshake of the eye tooth world . " If you watch a normal sports meeting and recognize between dogs , " Hatfield explains , " one will sniff the other ’s back end , and then they will switch position and invert the motion . This ritual generally takes about three seconds , and it ’s consider to be a polite greeting . "
But Hatfield articulate there ’s more to this greeting than meets the oculus because dogs are n’t just saying hello with their noses — they’re assemble critical entropy with them thanks to theirsuperhero - like smell abilities .
" While human brains are command by the visual cortex , " Hatfield suppose , " dog brains are dominated by theolfactory cortex , making their sense of sense of smell the most powerful sense . Dogs have as many as 300 million olfactory receptor in their nose compared with approximately six million in humans . "
As a result , it ’s been judge that a dog ’s common sense of smell is10,000 to 100,000 timesmore acute than our own . Dog knowledge researcherAlexandra Horowitzputs their abilities into more concrete term , writing that a pup ’s beak could detect a teaspoonful of sugar in two Olympic - sized pools deserving of piss .
So when a wiener ’s super sniffer comes in link with the unequaled and potent scent release by another dog’sanal glands(two small sac located inside the rectum ) , a fascinating amount of communication occurs . Hatfield says that by plainly sniffing another dog ’s rearward goal , your dog can download details about his companion ’s health , sex , dieting , societal status , and , significantly , their mood .
" dog can reek adrenaline and pheromone , " Hatfield say , " which can help them find out whether their companion is a friend or opposition and whether they should fight , flee , or play . " And because dogs are so good at recollect scents , they can habituate their snouts to ascertain whether they ’ve meet this bottom — er , dog — before .
Why Do Dogs Sniff Humans' Private Areas, and How Can I Redirect the Behavior?
Unfortunately , dogs do n’t limit their sensible sniffer to fellow member of their own species . They often " greet " you and your human Guest the same way and for much the same reason : To gather important information . "
A quick snuff is all the dog needs , " Hatfield say . " Otherwise , he ’s being rude , overbearing , or just plainnosey . " ( Pun designate . ) But how can you gently hold in a dog ’s privates investigation work?Elementary clue , my dear Watson .
Hatfield advises redirect your andiron from his human crotch examination by employing one of the cues he knows . " This will allow the consequence to pass and will occupy your domestic dog in something else more appropriate . "
While just about any trick will do , Hatfield offers the following basic cues as helpful diversions :
And if you need a diversion to help your friend / neighbour / coworker forget that your Canis familiaris ’s snout was just in their genitalia , why not spout off some of your freshly acquired trivia regarding canine tooth sniffing power ?
Should I Let My Dog Sniff Other Dogs' Butts?
" It ’s perfectly acceptable to let your dog sniff another dog ’s private part and frailty versa , " Hatfield allege . " But keep in judgment that awell - socialized , civil salutation generally lasts between three to five s . If the sniffing lasts any longer than this , conceive it a red sword lily and secernate the detent . "
Other signs that the snuff is about to turn into a tiff include low growl , raised hair , and one dog putting his head over the neck of the other dog .
A frank who does n’t want to be sniffed may also seat down in an travail to bar one - way communication from occurring . If you note that your dog is trying to whiff a whelp who would rather be leave alone , you could employ the same redirection manoeuvre outline above to engage them in a more appropriate sideline .
