Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Private Parts? (Dog Trainer Explains)

It’s a familiar sight at the park: your dog eagerly approaches a new canine acquaintance, promptly sticking their snout into the other dog’s sensitive regions and giving them a lick. We’re aware that our furry companions can exhibit peculiar behaviors, but it can be quite mortifying to extricate your dog’s face from a stranger’s posterior.

Nevertheless, for the remainder of this article, let’s set aside the human notion of “private parts.” Specifically, let’s discard the word “private” in relation to these areas. Dogs lack the concept of privacy when it comes to their lower regions. Instead, these areas are simply another part of their body, serving as a significant source of information.

So, if that’s the case, why do dogs engage in the act of licking other dogs’ sensitive areas?

When dogs lick each other’s private regions, it is a normal form of canine communication. It constitutes a healthy method of social interaction for dogs, allowing them to acquire information through this behavior. By grooming another dog’s nether regions, a dog can obtain valuable data from hormones and odors, all while engaging in proper greetings and displaying affection.

Let’s now delve into how a dog’s remarkable sense of smell leads them to explore and lick each other’s private areas, and explore the various factors that might contribute to this behavior being more prevalent in some dogs than others.

Why Do Dogs Engage in Licking Behavior Towards Other Dogs’ Sensitive Areas?

The primary reason behind dogs’ tendency to lick other dogs’ private parts can be attributed to their exceptional sense of smell, driven by their keen sense of smell and their nose.

Dogs possess a remarkable olfactory sense that not only compels them to lick other dogs’ sensitive areas but also leads them to explore peculiar things such as other dogs’ ears or even their owner’s legs. Through these actions, they acquire information about the world and their fellow canines.

With a sense of smell that is over 10,000 times more potent than that of humans, dogs can gather a wealth of knowledge from licking another dog’s private parts. This includes the presence of pheromones, hormones, and other intriguing scents. Furthermore, licking and grooming serve as displays of affection when two dogs share a strong bond.

So, what exactly does this information convey to your dog, and why do they persist in licking other dogs’ sensitive areas?

Reason 1

Information Gathering By sniffing and licking, dogs can assimilate a great deal of knowledge about their surroundings. Their sense of smell is one of their most essential tools for gathering information, and they can even be trained to detect cadavers, drugs, and, as demonstrated by the dog in the video below, certain types of cancer.

Whether it’s a dog sniffing its own rear end or licking another dog’s private parts, they rely on their sense of smell to gather information. While they may enjoy the taste, their primary objective is to detect smells that are imperceptible to humans, specifically hormones and pheromones.

A dog’s highly refined sense of smell, intricately connected to taste, enables them to utilize these hormones for various purposes. They can determine if a dog has been spayed or neutered, identify their gender, estimate their age, recognize signs of being in heat, and even glean insights into their overall health. It’s worth noting that a dog’s sense of smell can also discern the gender of humans, unrelated to their behavior of licking other dogs’ private parts.

Reason 2

Communication While dogs may not employ verbal language in the same way humans do, it doesn’t mean they haven’t developed their own intricate system of communication. This system encompasses barking, body language, marking objects with their feces, and yes, even licking each other’s private parts. Have you ever observed your dog sniffing the air intently? There’s a high likelihood that another dog is attempting to communicate with them.

In most instances, when a dog licks another dog’s private parts, it’s a simple way of saying “hello!”

Well-socialized dogs often engage in a brief sniff or lick of another dog’s private areas as part of their greeting ritual. Once they have exchanged initial pleasantries and satisfied their curiosity, they may proceed to use body language to indicate their desire to engage in play. The following video demonstrates appropriate playful canine body language, including socially acceptable check-ins involving each other’s private areas.

A well-socialized dog should also possess the ability to interpret another dog’s body language and recognize if their licking behavior is making the other dog uncomfortable. If their initial lick is not reciprocated, it is advisable for the dog to respectfully disengage from the interaction. Signs of discomfort displayed through body language may include lip-licking, freezing of the body, raised hackles, a turned head, or a wide-eyed expression.

Reason 3

Curiosity Curiosity can be another driving factor behind why dogs may attempt to lick each other’s private parts. Dogs are naturally drawn to unusual smells, such as lotions, and they often feel compelled to investigate these unfamiliar scents by licking them. Consequently, if there are intriguing or peculiar odors present on another dog’s private areas, a curious dog may attempt to explore them through licking.

Examples of unusual smells that might attract a dog’s curiosity on private parts include residual soap from grooming, dirt, feces, or indications of a health issue, such as an infection. When a curious dog catches a whiff of these smells emanating from another dog’s private parts, they may feel compelled to investigate further by engaging in licking behavior.

Reason 4

Your Dog Is Not Sterilized As suggested by Monique Feyrecilde, Debra Horwitz, and Gary Landsberg, it is generally recommended to have dogs spayed or neutered around the time they reach puberty. This practice not only helps prevent unintended litters but can also yield behavioral advantages. One of these benefits includes a potential reduction in the behavior of licking other dogs’ private parts, as sterilized dogs tend to experience less sexual frustration and a decreased desire to seek a mate.

Why Do Male Dogs Lick Other Male Dogs’ Private Parts?

Even though neutered male dogs may exhibit less marking behavior compared to unneutered males, your intact male dog may still have a strong inclination to lift his leg whenever the opportunity arises. By elevating their urine stream, they create a larger scent radius, effectively informing other dogs that the territory has been claimed.

However, instead of relying solely on the residual scent on the ground, why not go straight to the source and lick another male dog’s private parts? The combination of residual urine and general pheromones provides valuable information about the other dog’s personality and helps determine whether they should engage in play or keep their distance.

Why Do Female Dogs Lick Each Other’s Private Parts?

While male dogs tend to engage in marking behavior more frequently than females, female dogs may occasionally lift their legs to mark as well. Consequently, similar to male dogs, females may also lick each other’s private parts in order to gain a better understanding of the messages conveyed by the urine markings.

Female dogs may also lick each other’s private parts when one of them is in heat. If you have two intact females, they may exhibit a behavior where they try to keep each other clean by licking one another’s private areas. Hormonal changes can sometimes cause two unaltered females to enter their estrous cycles simultaneously. In such cases, it is important to be cautious as excessive licking may lead to the development of a yeast infection.

If you have an unspayed female dog and are unsure about the signs of a heat cycle, the video provided is an informative resource to learn more about this topic.

The age at which dogs reach puberty can vary depending on their breed and size, typically ranging from 6 months to 2 years old. It is advisable to consult with your veterinarian to determine the optimal time for spaying or neutering your dog. In addition to alleviating uncomfortable behaviors such as excessive licking of other dogs’ private parts, the procedure can also help curb behaviors like marking and humping.

There is some evidence suggesting that intact dogs may exhibit aggression towards unfamiliar dogs. However, it is important to note that any dog, regardless of their sex or sterilization status, can feel uncomfortable and react negatively when their personal space is invaded by another dog licking their private parts.

Reason 5

Affection Grooming serves as a display of affection between two dogs that share a close bond. When dogs feel comfortable with each other, they often engage in mutual grooming to express their love and affection. It is not uncommon for dogs, especially those with long hair, to become dirty in their private area. Dogs that value cleanliness may demonstrate their affection by helping other dogs and licking their private parts to assist in cleaning.

Licking is a social behavior learned during puppyhood, as mother dogs lick their puppies, including their private parts, to stimulate them, keep them warm, maintain their cleanliness, and provide comfort. The following video showcases a mother dog displaying affection and cleaning her puppies, including their private parts.

When an older dog licks a new puppy’s private parts, it is a natural behavior that mimics the affectionate actions of a mother dog. This licking serves multiple purposes, including helping the puppy keep themselves clean. Additionally, the older dog is also learning about the new puppy and can gather information such as the puppy’s age through licking.

Should I Be Concerned? Occasionally, dogs may lick each other’s private parts due to an underlying issue. Common problems that can be detected through smelling and may prompt dogs to investigate each other include:

• Urinary Tract Infection
• Yeast Infection
• Abrasions
• Allergies
• Impacted Anal Glands
• Cancer

If you have concerns that your dog may be experiencing any of these conditions, it is important to consult with your veterinarian. Many of these issues can be effectively treated with antibiotics, and early detection of certain cancers can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment.

If you have both unaltered male and female dogs living together, it is important to be aware that the male dog may start licking the female’s private parts when she enters her heat cycle. The female dog emits pheromones before she becomes fertile or starts bleeding during her estrous cycle, and the male dog’s heightened sense of smell can detect these signals.

Unless you intend to breed the dogs, it is necessary to keep them separated for at least two weeks to prevent any unwanted litters. Spaying or neutering your dog is the most effective way to ensure you do not have any unplanned pregnancies.

How Can I Modify This Behavior?

While licking is a natural behavior for dogs and serves as a means for them to gather information about each other, excessive or habitual licking of other dogs’ private parts can be considered impolite. It may make other dogs uncomfortable and could potentially escalate into a dog fight. Certain dog breeds naturally exhibit a higher tendency to lick, and they may require assistance in finding alternative outlets for their licking behavior.

In most cases, dogs will respond to correction from another dog when they become overly interested in licking their privates. However, some dogs may have difficulty interpreting these cues, and it will be necessary to redirect their attention and teach them a new behavior. Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques and treats can be effective in diverting their focus away from another dog’s privates and training them to perform alternative behaviors like “Look at Me” or “Watch Me.”

The provided video offers insights into training your dog to make eye contact with you, but there are also numerous other dog training resources available if you wish to delve deeper into the topic.

If your dog exhibits obsessive licking behavior towards themselves, the floor, or other dogs’ private parts, it could be an indication of anxiety or boredom. It is crucial to ensure that your dog receives an adequate amount of mental and physical stimulation to prevent their licking habit from becoming destructive or causing issues with other dogs.

As previously mentioned, certain health concerns may also lead a dog to lick another dog’s private parts compulsively. If this behavior is a recent development and primarily focused on a specific dog, it is advisable to take the dog being licked to a veterinarian for a thorough health check. This will help rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the behavior.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that dogs have their own unique ways of communication and social interaction. While we as human owners may find it uncomfortable or dramatic when dogs lick each other’s private parts, it is a normal behavior in the dog world.

Licking each other’s privates is a socially acceptable form of greeting, information gathering, and affection among dogs. It is driven by their curiosity and the intriguing smells that attract them, such as urine, dirt, or pheromones.

Through licking, dogs can learn valuable information about other dogs, including their age, gender, reproductive status, health, and even diet. Their sense of smell and taste provide them with a wealth of knowledge that surpasses human conversations.

However, it’s essential to also pay attention to dogs’ body language as a means of communication. Dogs that exhibit signs of discomfort, such as raised hackles, a closed mouth, or a stiff tail, may not appreciate having their privates licked.

As responsible dog owners, it is crucial to educate ourselves about dog body language and ensure that our dogs greet others in a controlled and appropriate manner, without overly enthusiastic licking. By being advocates for our dogs, we can keep them safe and comfortable in social situations.