When dogs greet each other, they often sniff, especially around the rear. If your pet sniffs your crotch, it may feel awkward, but it’s completely normal. Dogs rely heavily on their noses, which are packed with about 220 million scent receptors—far more than humans. This gift lets them gather loads of information from scents.
Your genital area has strong odors because of special sweat glands that produce a unique smell. Dogs find this very interesting because it tells them more about you. For medium and larger breeds, this part of the body is at an easy level to sniff, so they naturally target it.
If this behavior makes you or visitors uncomfortable, don’t punish your dog. Instead, teach them polite ways to greet, like sitting or playing with a scent toy. Redirecting their sniffing helps them satisfy their curiosity without offending anyone. Remember, your dog is not being rude—they’re just following their nature.
