If your dog is sniffing your genital area, here is what it means

Dogs have a way of greeting one another that might leave you a little uncomfortable — sniffing each other’s rear ends. But when your furry friend turns their attention to your crotch, it can feel downright awkward.

 

So, why do they do this?

For anyone who’s ever had a dog, it’s no surprise that dogs communicate and greet others in various ways, with their sense of smell playing a key role. Dogs explore the world through their noses, and their sniffing habits are how they gather important information.

The dog’s superior sense of smell comes from 220 million scent receptors in their nose. That’s about 50 times more than humans have, giving dogs the ability to detect scents that are completely undetectable to us.

Simply put, dogs are incredibly curious creatures, and they have a keen sense of smell that helps them gather information about you.

Dogs are drawn to strong odors, explains Jennifer Sperry, a veterinarian with Pets Plus Us Insurance, tells Rover.com. Crotches, with their sweat glands and unique scent, are like a welcome mat for a dog’s nose. For medium to large dogs, the crotch is also easy to reach — much to the discomfort of your visitors.

Fortunately, there are ways to guide your dog’s curiosity into a more courteous greeting. Keep reading to find out why dogs sniff crotches and how you can redirect this behavior.

Why does my dog sniff crotches?

Ever wondered why your dog can’t resist sniffing your crotch? According to Rover, there are a few key reasons behind this behavior that might just surprise you.

First off, the height is ideal for a good sniff! But it’s not just about convenience —your crotch also has a unique feature that makes it a doggy hotspot.

The area is home to apocrine sweat glands, which produce a stronger, more pungent scent than those in other parts of your body. While these glands are also found in places like your armpits and chest, your dog’s nose likely won’t reach those spots.

Moreover, Dr. Sperry points out that dogs tend to target the crotch because it’s a more noticeable scent source compared to other areas, like your hands or feet. So next time your pup gets a little too friendly, remember — it’s all about their keen sense of smell.

Stop dog from sniffing crotches

So, we know that dogs are curious creatures, and when your dog greets a guest by sniffing their crotch, they’re just trying to gather information about them.

But, let’s face it — no one wants a dog’s wet nose in an awkward spot. So, how can you curb this behavior in a way that’s both effective and kind to your furry

1. Redirect, don’t discipline

It might be tempting to scold your dog when they get a little too friendly with a guest, but that can backfire.

Dogs don’t really understand why you’re upset, and it can cause confusion and stress. Instead, try redirecting your dog’s sniffing habits to more appropriate outlets. Here are a few fun alternatives to keep your dog’s nose busy:

• Snuffle Mats
• Puzzle Toys
• Nosework
• Sniffer Walks

By giving your dog an outlet to indulge their sniffing instincts, they’re less likely to focus on your guests’ private areas.

2. Teach a new trick

A great way to prevent your dog from sniffing your guests’ crotches is by teaching them a more polite greeting.

Dr. Sperry suggests reinforcing the “sit” command as guests walk through the door. This simple trick will keep your dog occupied and prevent awkward moments. You can even teach them a more fun greeting, like a high-five. Here’s how:

• Make sure your dog is comfortable with the high-five trick beforehand.
• Have a friend quietly enter the door.
• Give your dog the cue to perform a high-five.
• Reward your dog with a treat when they do it correctly.

By rewarding polite greetings, your dog is more likely to choose these over sniffing.

Remember, when your dog sniffs your crotch, they’re not being rude — they’re just trying to learn more about you.

If your dog often sniffs between your legs or others’, you can actually see it as a sign that your dog is happy and using its natural senses in a completely normal way! It’s just your dog’s way of exploring the world and gathering information about those they meet.

But if this behavior is making you or your guests uncomfortable, there are ways to redirect that curiosity. The key? Positive reinforcement! By encouraging alternative, polite behaviors, you’ll build a stronger bond with your pup while making sure everyone feels comfortable.

Editor’s Note: At some point, a dog sniffs a crotch one too many times, and action must be taken. Below is the result:

 

~FROM THE DESK OF MY CROTCH~

My Crotch 1 Crotch Court Crotchville, USA

12 April 2016

RE: Cease and desist for the egregious sniffing of Complainant’s Crotch, issued against Perpetrator, Dog

Dear Dog:

For reference, I submit to you last Friday, when I hosted a game night with some friends. There we were, trying to enjoy some drinks and play Settlers of Catan, but none of us could concentrate because 10 minutes into game night, you shoved your face into my crotch and we were all thinking about my crotch and honestly I’m pretty sure my friends now think I have a kind of smelly crotch. And that’s on you, Dog. You brought that gathering to a screeching, unpleasant halt.

Perhaps you think that sniffing my crotch will signal to potential mates that I have a unique crotch, one worthy of interest and a good, strong sniff. Perhaps you feel I should find your interest in my crotch flattering. Perhaps, even, you think I should be grateful to you.

And sure, maybe in some weird way, I am oddly flattered that you find my crotch so irresistible. But it’s also awkward AF. Because unlike you and your dog friends, humans do not consider a smelly crotch a good thing. As a result, your interest in my crotch suggests to other nearby humans that I have a strong-smelling crotch, or, smelly crotch, which is officially not good for my love life.

In theory, your sustained interest in my crotch could cause significant damage to my reputation — defamation via crotch, if you will. Because of this, my peers may now believe that I do not wipe properly — or at all, for that matter. They may assume that I do not bathe regularly or practice advisable hygiene. They may even conclude (wrongly, but not without reason) that I am menstruating at all times. It is possible, therefore, that your obsession with my crotch has led, through no fault of my own, to innumerable romantic and friendship failures.

I have already experienced the weight of your actions. Recall two Sundays ago at the dog park. I finally got up the nerve to talk to Cute Mets Guy, that attractive human who owns the Beagle and always wears the Mets hat. You know, Cute Mets Guy. The conversation was going well, and you were busy playing with the Beagle. Sure enough, just as things were going somewhere interesting, you emerged out of nowhere and launched your face at my nether region, and I had to decide if I should acknowledge to a stranger that a dog’s face is buried in my crotch, or just keep talking about the salad bar at Whole Foods as if nothing weird is happening.

 

This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your PERSISTENT ACTIONS in regards to MY CROTCHAL REGION have become intolerable and untenable. Your consistent conduct vis-à-vis my crotch — showing uncontrollable interest in my crotch, smelling my crotch, and generally just really getting up in my crotch — is inappropriate and unbecoming of an otherwise pleasant and well-trained canine.

Regardless of your intent, your actions in “my area” have significant consequences, of which I will now outline below:

I can only speak for my crotch, and so I will. When you sniff my crotch, several upsetting results occur: First, I feel very embarrassed. Secondly, everyone else in the room naturally ends up staring at me and my crotch. Third, and most important, everyone in the room is now thinking about my crotch.

While it’s true that we’ve all got crotches, I do not need you to single mine out, and certainly not in front of others. Because literally everyone is thinking about my crotch right now, including whoever else may or may not be reading this. (I swear, Dog, if you put this on the Internet… Just don’t. Do not do that. Do not! Bad dog!)

males, although I assume it is akin to a vicious punch to the yabbos, except much worse.

Now, I am aware, Dog, that you possess a heightened sense of smell, something that I can never understand. But I never pretended to understand it. While you may boast the ability to smell more groins than I could ever dream of, it is your responsibility to exercise such a power with caution and respect for others.

Further to this, it is not just my crotch that you have so consistently harassed. You have repeatedly, and without regard for others, sought out the crotchal areas of nearly everyone in my life: Complete Strangers. Friends. Family. And who could forget poor Grandma. That was one of the worst Christmases we’ve had. And that’s saying something, because we both know there have been some bad ones in this family.

In conclusion, this letter serves as your final warning to discontinue your crotch-sniffing conduct. You must stop this undesirable behavior, or at the very least, just sniff my crotch when no one else is around. In order to confirm your compliance, I ask you to sign this letter below my signature.

I will see you in a few minutes when it’s time for your dinner and walk.

Sincerely,

My Crotch

P.S. Full disclosure: I wore a dress today and I recently went to the bathroom. Despite these two pieces of information, I truly hope you will behave in a considerate manner.

P.P.S. Also I overslept this morning and did not have time to shower. Please do not allow this to affect your ability to respect my boundaries.