If you’ve ever caught your dog sniffing your crotch, it might feel awkward or surprising. But there’s actually a strong reason behind this common behavior. Dogs explore the world mostly through their noses, which are equipped with around 220 million scent receptors—about 50 times more than humans have. This amazing sense of smell helps them gather important information about their surroundings and the people they meet.
Your crotch area is especially interesting to dogs because it contains apocrine sweat glands that produce a strong, unique scent. These glands are more noticeable to dogs than sweat glands elsewhere on your body, like your hands or feet, and that’s why your furry friend often chooses this spot to sniff. For medium and large dogs, the height is just right to take in the smell easily.
While it can be embarrassing for you and your visitors, this is a natural way for dogs to learn about you or new people. If you want to discourage this behavior, avoid punishment as it can confuse your dog. Instead, redirect their sniffing by giving them other things to focus on like puzzle toys or special scent games. Teaching your dog polite greetings, such as sitting or giving a high-five when guests arrive, can help too. Remember, sniffing the crotch is not rude; it’s just your dog using their powerful nose to explore the world in their own way.
