Dogs often greet people and other animals by sniffing, using their amazing noses that contain around 220 million scent receptors to learn about their world. If your dog sniffs your crotch, it might seem embarrassing, but it’s important to understand it’s a natural behavior.
The crotch is a hotspot for scent because it has apocrine sweat glands producing strong odors. This unique smell gives your dog important clues about you or visitors. Plus, it’s easy for medium and large dogs to reach this area at nose height.
If you want to stop this behavior, try redirecting your dog by giving them fun nose games or teaching them polite greetings like sitting or offering a paw. Punishment can confuse your dog and doesn’t help, so positive alternatives work better. Dogs sniff because it’s their way of talking and understanding—so next time your pup sniffs your crotch, know it’s just their way to say hello.
