Dog Sniffing Behavior, Natural Instinct
Dogs and Personal Space
Humans have boundaries: we shake hands or wave, but “dogs…have no such boundaries.”
When a dog sniffs your crotch, it’s not rude — it’s instinct.
Dogs live in a world ruled by scent, not sight.
A Superpower in the Nose
Humans have 6 million scent receptors; dogs have around 300 million,
making their noses up to 10,000 times stronger.
“Dogs don’t just smell what you are — they smell who you are,”
using pheromones to detect identity, emotions, and even health.
Why the Crotch?
Humans’ apocrine glands release pheromones in the groin and armpits.
Dogs treat sniffing as a handshake or profile check.
Certain breeds, like Bloodhounds and Beagles, find this irresistible.
Managing and Understanding It
Redirection works: use fist targeting or commands to teach alternatives.
“Dogs don’t have the same concept of privacy…to them, it’s a form of connection.”
Remember, their curiosity is biology, not misbehavior.
