One of the most common patterns we encounter when two dogs meet is when
they start sniffing each other's butts. Why do dogs always sniff each
other's butts? The answer will surprise you!
Our animal companions' most crucial sense is smell, which helps them learn a lot about their surroundings.
The vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ, which has a very high capacity for chemical communication, is activated when dogs sniff each other.
This organ is only used for chemical communication, and the information it receives is sent straight to the brain through its nerves.
The location of such information on your species' friend's body is intriguing.
Yes, in the butt!
It turns out that there are two anal sacs around the anus that produce chemicals holding that information.
Depending on the dog's immune system and genetic makeup, they emit a variety of smells.
So, in short, dogs sniff each other's butts to get to know each other.
We know that the question is a strange one and that the situation, when we witness it, can be just as strange and even a little bit uncomfortable for us. However, it is a very natural canine act and we must allow it to happen.
When two dogs meet they start the ritual that makes up the canine greeting, and that sniffing behind is part of it. Thanks to this they know about each other's sex or age, but also their emotional state or what they have eaten.
You could say that these smells are their calling card, hence the scary dogs that fear for their lives, lower their tails by putting them between their legs, in order to prevent possible predators from smelling them and finding them.
It is better that the greeting process is carried out in a complete and natural way, without interrupting the furry ones. It is also part of their socialization, something very important in a dog's life.
Dogs use their sense of smell from birth, since other senses as important to them, such as sight and hearing, are not yet developed.
Thanks to their millions of receptive olfactory cells, they can pick up things imperceptible to humans, which is why they are great allies in tracking work.
But they also have an enviable range and olfactory memory, which is why they are so happy when they meet a hairy or human friend they haven't seen for years.
Dogs sniff each other's butts for information
The vomeronasal or Jacobson's organ, which has a very high capacity for chemical communication, is activated when dogs sniff each other.
This organ is only used for chemical communication, and the information it receives is sent straight to the brain through its nerves.
The location of such information on your species' friend's body is intriguing.
Yes, in the butt!
It turns out that there are two anal sacs around the anus that produce chemicals holding that information.
Depending on the dog's immune system and genetic makeup, they emit a variety of smells.
So, in short, dogs sniff each other's butts to get to know each other.
Read also: Why Dogs Lick Other Dogs' Pee
Why should we allow our dogs to smell each other's butts?
We know that the question is a strange one and that the situation, when we witness it, can be just as strange and even a little bit uncomfortable for us. However, it is a very natural canine act and we must allow it to happen.
When two dogs meet they start the ritual that makes up the canine greeting, and that sniffing behind is part of it. Thanks to this they know about each other's sex or age, but also their emotional state or what they have eaten.
You could say that these smells are their calling card, hence the scary dogs that fear for their lives, lower their tails by putting them between their legs, in order to prevent possible predators from smelling them and finding them.
It is better that the greeting process is carried out in a complete and natural way, without interrupting the furry ones. It is also part of their socialization, something very important in a dog's life.
Canine Smell
Thanks to their millions of receptive olfactory cells, they can pick up things imperceptible to humans, which is why they are great allies in tracking work.
But they also have an enviable range and olfactory memory, which is why they are so happy when they meet a hairy or human friend they haven't seen for years.
