Dogs sniff each others bums, get over it. Your dog should sniff other dogs bums, dogs should meet nose first and I’m amazed at how many owners don’t realize this or get grossed out over it. When a dog sniffs another dogs bum – they are sniffing the anal gland scent, it’s like a dog fingerprint. When a dog sniffs poop on the ground, they aren’t sniffing the poop itself – they are sniffing the anal gland spray.
Every time a dog poops, it naturally squeezes the anal glands – or it should if everything is working properly. The anal gland spray coats the dogs poop and that is what the dog is smelling. So when the dog is smelling poop – they are actually meeting that dog in a way – and if they smell the dogs bum that actually pooped before? They can link up the dogs – hey, I met you over there!
When Monty goes to pet stores, he tends to want to meet all the dogs – that’s his prerogative, and I’m fine with it. He reads dogs very well, and is not going to want to approach a dog with severe issues. He knows when they are friendly, knows when they are hyper etc. Quite often, dogs go beyond the bum sniff and get up in his junk – he doesn’t care as long as it’s done politely. He will correct any sized dog that goes overboard, and it’s pretty impressive.
I’ve had trainers on facebook try to crucify me for picking up Monty and presenting his bum to other dogs. I meet the dog first, pick up Monty, spin him around and give the other dog the choice to smell. That’s what they want – and it’s the number one thing to calm a dog. I’ve met large pups losing it at the end of a leash – smell a bum, they lay down and settle immediately. When owners see the effect on the dog simply due to a proper meet and greet, they are typically floored.
Rarely – and I mean very rarely is there an issue where the other dog tries to nip or bite. Through thousands of interactions – maybe one or two have been a problem, tried to nip or bite. But I won’t put Monty in harms way – and he knows it – he trusts me and allows me to do this.
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Wendy 26 December 2020
Interesting read. Do you encourage your dog to sniff bums too?
monty 26 December 2020 — Post author
Hi Wendy, starting out, yes, always enforced it. If he didn’t sniff bum, I would pick him up and guide his nose toward it. Now I don’t need to, he does it on his own. There are still times I have to pick him up to sniff a bum – with Great Danes for example. He tries but simply can’t reach.
His patience with other dogs is incredible. He knows to remain calm, and dogs have actually lifted his back legs off the ground with their snout to sniff his junk.