If you own a dog or have ever been around one, it’s likely happened to you: the animal approaches you with its nose right at your private parts. Although it may seem uncomfortable or even rude, the truth is that this behavior has a completely natural and logical explanation from a canine perspective.

A dog’s sense of smell is their way of knowing the world.

For dogs, the nose is like our eyes and ears combined. While humans primarily use sight, dogs use their sense of smell to explore, identify, and understand their surroundings. Their noses can detect up to 100,000 times more odors than ours.

Apocrine Glands and the Key to Scent
Both humans and animals have apocrine glands, which are concentrated especially in the genital and anal areas. These glands release pheromones, chemicals that communicate information about identity, reproductive status, emotional state, and more.

When a dog smells your private parts, he’s actually “reading” all that information to get to know you better. It’s his way of greeting you and understanding who you are.

Why Dogs Smell More Like Some People
If you’ve noticed that dogs are more attracted to certain people, there are several possible reasons:

• Hormonal changes:  Pregnant women, those during their menstrual period, or those ovulating often emit stronger odors that dogs can easily detect.
• Fear or anxiety:  Dogs can also smell adrenaline and other chemicals in the human body, so if you’re nervous, they’ll notice.
• Presence of other pets:  If you have other animals in the home, the dog will want to sniff to investigate.

Is it normal or should it be corrected?
Although it can be embarrassing for humans, it’s completely natural for dogs. However, if the behavior becomes excessive or uncomfortable for you or your guests, you can train your dog not to do it. Reinforcing commands like “sit” or “stay” can help redirect his energy without punishing him for a natural instinct.

In short:
When a dog sniffs your private parts, they’re not being rude or having sexual intentions—they’re simply using their olfactory superpower to get to know you better. Understanding this allows us to view our pets with more empathy and curiosity, rather than judging them from a human perspective.