We love our furry friends unconditionally, but sometimes they do things that just don’t make sense to us. Dogs have a language of their own, and often that involves some unsavory interactions.
From sniffing other dogs’ butts to humping the air, many of your dog’s behaviors may seem odd or even inappropriate to you. However, as you’ll learn below, these are completely normal, healthy behaviors for your dog to be displaying.
The answers below even remind us of what absolutely amazing creatures dogs are!
If you’ve ever wondered why your dog does the things he does, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to take a look at the most embarrassing things that dogs do and uncover the mystery of why they do them.
Why do dogs sniff human crotches?
Usually, the first thing that a dog will do when they meet a new human is sniff their crotch. It may be embarrassing to us, but for a dog, this is just the way they greet and learn more about other mammals. It’s equivalent to them sniffing the crotch of another dog.
Humans have sweat glands, also called apocrine glands, located in the crotch area. Dogs can gain a lot of information from sniffing the pheromones from these glands, such as a person’s age, sex, and even mood.
Why do dogs sniff other dogs’ butts?
Similar to the apocrine gland in humans, dogs have specialized glands located inside of their rectum. These two glands release pheromones that give away a whole lot of information, and are the reason that your dog sniffs other dogs’ butts.
Each dog has a unique odor, and by smelling it, other dogs can recognize if they’ve met before, as well as their sex, mood, health, and diet.
Is there a pecking order for dogs sniffing other dogs’ privates?
Yes. When two dogs meet for the first time, you will notice them walking in a circle, observing each other to determine a pecking order. The most dominant of the two will initiate the private sniffing while the other one waits their turn.
Why do dogs roll over and submit their privates to other dogs?
When dogs roll over, it is a sign of submission. When your dog submits their privates to other dogs, they are providing direct access to all of their vital organs. They are essentially showing that they pose no threat to the dogs around them and that they do not want to fight.
Why do dogs eat poop?
Eating poop is actually normal behavior for puppies when they are very little. But if it continues into adulthood, it turns into a nasty habit that is hard to break.
Often, poop eating is part of the process of dogs exploring the world around them. But sometimes, it can be a sign of a disease like parasites or a stressor like isolation.
Talk with your vet if you’re concerned about your dog eating poop or suspect a health issue, but it seems to be a very common practice.
Why do dogs smell other dogs’ poop?
When you take your pup on a walk and they stop to smell other dogs’ poop, they’re actually stopping to learn about the dog that left it there.
To us, it just smells like poop, but not to them – they can learn what that dog’s been eating, how they’re feeling, where they live, where they walk, and more! Smelling poop is your dog’s way of getting to know the other pets around the neighborhood.
Why do dogs kick leaves after pooping?
Scratching the ground or kicking leaves, also called ground pawing, is a common behavior displayed by dogs after peeing or pooping.
While the exact reason why they do this is unknown, the most common theory is that they are leaving a scent message behind. Dogs have sweat glands in their paws, so kicking leaves after pooping allows them to mark the area with their scent.
Why do dogs lick their privates?
Dogs lick their privates as a way to keep themselves clean. Just as they lick their paws and body, they will also clean their genitals and anal region.
While it may seem gross to us, it’s completely normal for dogs to use their tongue to clean away dirt and bodily discharge.
If you notice your dog licking their privates excessively, this might be a sign of health issues like a urinary tract infection, yeast infection, or impacted anal glands. Talk to your vet if you notice excessive licking.
What should you do if your dog’s bottom isn’t clean after a poop?
The best thing to do if your dog’s bottom isn’t clean after a poop is to wipe it off for them. Although this may be gross in the moment, it can be done very quickly and easily with a wet wipe made for pets or a damp paper towel.
After a quick wipe, you won’t have to worry about them soiling your rugs or furniture.
If your dog’s bottom was messy due to diarrhea, keep an eye on their stool and contact your vet if you develop any concerns.
What to do if your dog has grass hanging out from his butt
It is common for dogs to eat grass. While the reason they do so varies, one is that grass provides a source of fiber for their diet.
While fiber can help their digestion process, it can also result in pieces of grass becoming stuck after they pass stool.
If you notice grass hanging out from your dog’s butt, the best way to help them is to use gloves or a paper towel and gently remove the pieces of grass.
Why do neutered dogs hump?
Humping is a common behavior for both males and females, even if they are spayed or neutered. Although it is first and foremost a sexual behavior, in older dogs that have been neutered, humping is more often a gesture of dominance, excitement, or play.
Why do dogs hump the air?
Dogs will usually hump the air out of pent-up excitement and energy. It is almost never a sexual behavior when they are by themselves, especially if they are altered.
They could also be seeking your attention or could possibly be humping the air out of stress and anxiety.
Should you let your dog in the bathroom with you?
You may notice your furry friend gets upset or agitated when you go into the bathroom to do your business.
Dogs are pack animals, and they are used to being around us all the time. They don’t understand that we need a few minutes alone to relieve ourselves once in a while.
It’s personal preference if you want to let your dog in the bathroom when you do your business. If not, one option is to provide them with a treat or toy to distract them while you’re separated.
What’s the best way to get dog poop off shoes?
The first step to get dog poop off shoes is to hose off or wipe off as much of the poop as you can. Then, use a spare toothbrush to get in between the small grooves on the bottom of the shoe.
If you’re using a hose, the “jet” setting is another great option to blast away the poop.
Sources:
https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/why-do-dogs-smell-your-crotch
https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/dog-sniffing-butts/
https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/dog-scratch-ground-going-poop/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/dog-lick-crotch/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-eat-grass
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/humping-why-do-dogs-do-it
https://impersonateme.com/pages/why-does-my-dog-hump-the-air
https://iheartdogs.com/ask-a-vet-why-does-my-dog-follow-me-to-the-bathroom/
https://notabully.org/how-to-get-dog-poop-off-your-shoe/
https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-do-dogs-smell-other-dogs-poop
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-dogs-eat-poop/
https://www.thepamperedpup.com/why-dogs-roll-on-their-backs/
https://iandloveandyou.com/blogs/pet-blog/why-do-dogs-sniff-each-others-butts
