If you have more than one dog, it is well worth looking for certain signs that your dog may display when it is around the ill dog. Yes, a study shows that a dogs saliva is antibacterial. Peers passing behind them can quickly identify who strolled by earlier! The other reason dogs sniff each others faces is to show dominance or submission. However, extra scent receptors dont just mean dogs can sniff subtle odors we would miss. Dogs sniff their way through life for two main reasons: Enjoyment: Stuff smells good! In fact, dogs obtain more detailed information from scent than we can even imagine. Your dog can smell the scent of your shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. Some will settle in the outside part first. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. For example, if a male dog smells that a bitch is in season, he may try to mount her. Dogs are more likely to get overexcited in groups, which can lead to fights. [] Natural Dog Training: Why Do Dogs Smell Each Other? Hold a dog treat in your hand. Sniffing another dogs rear end is not a sign of disrespect. It doesnt matter if it is completely unnoticeable to our lazy, human noses; your dog will love any personal odor you emit. All because of the scent their anus gives off. This is their way of getting to know you a little better. Youve probably seen your dog sniff other dogs butts a million times. As a result, dogs have been trained to use their ability to sniff things out to get involved in various jobs including becoming official illness dogs that can sniff out cancer, migraines, and other illnesses in humans. 4. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Humans have only 56 million scent receptors in our noses. When this happens, they may get an upset stomach or toxic poisoning. Dog Showing Teeth What Your Dogs Mouth Tells You, Dog Sniffing Each Other. Dr. Nelva Bryant, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian with three decades of professional experience in animal welfare, public health, and zoonotic diseases. Dogs also use this behavior to mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their face and paws. Dogs have an ear-cleaning mechanism that will naturally keep their ears clean. Lick other dogs ears like theres hidden ice cream in there. As an icebreaker of sorts, a means of grooming another canine, a desire to sample tasty earwax or an infected ear, or because they feel curious. When your dog is jumping up at you all the time because he's trying to smell your ear, it can become quite uncomfortable. This way, theyll get less scared and anxious in new environments. To give you an idea of the difference, consider the fact that humans have about 5 millionolfactory receptors in their noses and dogs have about 220 million. (In case they ingest these in large amounts. He already has licking wounds from it. This concern is always up to pet owners. Which could, later on, lead to doing compulsive actions. It is common for dogs to sniff at their owners' faces for various reasons. This behavior doesnt necessarily mean that shes going through a heat cycle. What the outer part of their ears releases are pheromones. But sometimes, theyre faced with a dilemma. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Why Do Dogs Zoom-zoom-zoom Around the House? The primary reason dogs sniff butts is for communication. So if theyre curious about one thing, theyll try to learn more about it by licking or even eating it. Find out more about Dogs And Clogs and me. Humans have only around 5 million scent receptors in our noses, but some breeds have over 100 million. Some dogs, like the Basset Hound, may be more prone to them due to their big floppy ears which hold in moisture. 9 reasons why dogs lick other dogs' ears Fun fact: Sniffing each other's noses is a ritual in wolves and wild dogs. 3 dangers when your dog licks other dog ears, #1: It can cause an infection or licking wounds, How do I stop my dog from licking my other dogs ear? Dogs sniff each other's ears for various reasons, but basically, this is their way of showing affection or submission. Ear infections in dogs are a common problem, especially in warm weather. The manner in which dogs sniff rear ends can establish which of the two dogs is dominant and set the foundation of a canine relationship. Dogs, just like babies, love to explore the world through their mouths. You can also expose them to different things gradually. When dogs sniff each others faces, they can establish a hierarchy and figure out who is in charge. Senzu has provided me with so much love and companionship that I have spent more time learning about dogs in my attempt to help Senzu live a long, healthy, happy life. Based on PetMD, these are the dog breeds that are prone to having excessive earwax: All my dogs at home lick each others ears. How to Train an Older Dog to Accept a New Puppy, Amazing Facts About a Dog's Sense of Smell, Why You Should Let Your Dog Sniff on Their Walk, Understanding Your Horse's Sense of Smell, 128 Basset Hound Names for Your Floppy-Eared Friend, Any Cat's Sense of Smell Is Used for All Aspects of Survival. To keep your dogs ears healthy, you should check them at least once weekly. The fact is that although dogs are loyal, playful, and eager to please, they also have their quirks. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. Ear infections can smell pungent to decaying, depending on the severity. (Unless theyre doing it excessively, Ill talk about this later on.). To stop your dogs licking habit, you must first know the reason why theyre doing this. Chances are theyre just beingdogs. While this helps remove ear mites, excessive sniffing and licking can cause irritation, or worst, an ear infection. Dogs who live on one roof will feel comfortable with each other. Also, it's ideal to let dogs meet and play in pairs. The approach to pressing a nose into another dog's butt is decided by dominance. (I know its disgusting. He is Under the Weather You can give them the treat firmly by saying no when they start sniffing. This can actually be a sign of a problem in your dogs ears, from ear wax buildup to ear infections. Its a bit like visiting the Facebook or LinkedIn page of someone we dont know very well. Hopefully, you can curb your dogs habit before it turns into an obsession. Talk to your vet about healthy ways to help your dog cope. Your veterinarian directed you to do so while treating an ear infection. With certain types of bacteria, you may smell the ear from across the room. Practice this with your pooch as often as you can. Allow your dog to shake their head. Which is the earwax itself. Why Dogs Sniff Butts Many people think of butt-sniffing among dogs as a type of greeting, but it's so much more than that. Smell senses that dogs rely on the most. What Does It Mean? It is because dogs want to show their owners affection by sniffing their faces. While you or I can only vaguely detect a personal scent, our dogs pick up a number of clues through their noses. Sometimes, it can also be because theyre stressed. This is their way of showing respect. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bulldogpapa_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bulldogpapa_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bulldogpapa_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bulldogpapa_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-136{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:0!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:0!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Does your dog always sniff and lick your ears? Thus, external stimuli are experienced by an animal just as if it is physically connected to these external objects and events, because indeed it is. Nobodys judging here.). Keeping him occupied with his treats and mind games will stop him from sniffing others ears.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'bulldogpapa_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bulldogpapa_com-leader-2-0'); Usually, it would take time for him to break this habit, but as his master, it would be best to stick to the game plan. In addition, you can consult a professional dog trainer. (Dont worry. Though don't forget, ear licking is one of the few limited ways a dog can show affection and we all need some of that. This allows you to find any problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue. If your dog is having ear problems, you may also notice changes in their behavior, like: If you have more than one dog, another dog may pay more attention to the ears of their housemate if there is a problem. Do not try to clean your dogs ears at home before seeing your veterinarian. Dogs are considered loyal and loving companions due to their ability to gather information through sniffing. You might see your pooch do this with other dogs too. In most cases, you will notice that it is the more submissive dog licking the ears of the more dominant dog. The most important observation that bears on this question is that anytime there is something new, any change, any stimulus or stimulation, and especially when stressed, dogs need to smell something. Its one of the reasons why theyd want to lick other dogs ears. 11 Surprising Reasons Why Your Dog Wont Roll Over + 7 Tips, 17 Reasons Why Your Dog Looks Up At The Ceiling + 5 Tips. Thus, licking ears does not make them feel aroused. If you need to clean your dogs ears, here are the steps: Hold the bottle of vet-approved ear cleaner above your dogs ear and gently squeeze the solution into the ear. Many dogs also try to find out more about humans through, ahem, crotch-sniffing. In some cases, since dogs can't clean their ears, other dogs will lick it for them. It might be a child or an older person who is frail and doesn't have good balance. Dogs use their sense of smell to learn about their world, and they might sniff our ears specifically to get a better whiff of what we smell like. If this is the common sight at your home, you may be dealing with a dog who has a compulsive disorder. They love smelling whatever were eating and usually associate the smell of food with humans. Smelling each other also relaxes the atmosphere, so its important not to rush them and let them finish this olfactory parade. An animals nose can pick up a lot of information about someone when it sniffs their face, including their emotional state, what they ate, and where theyve been recent. You may notice your healthy pooch acting unusually around the other dog and displaying some of the signs outlined above. Allergies often begin. The usual interpretation is that dogs smell each other in order to ascertain social data, health status and what-have-you-been-eating-lately kind of questions. particular day. Because its always moist, its more prone to bacteria, fungi, and yeast growth. Aside from that, it also helps in soothing themselves. Dogs sniff ears and eyes as a way of communicating with other dogs. Another way of keeping him busy is to put food on his toy. When a dog picks up on illness in another dog, this is not because it has been watching how the dog behaves but because it can smell something that enables it to detect illness. Here are some of the most common causes of smelly dog ears. Dogs get more information about their environment via scent than they do via sound or sight. Dogs only rely on intuition, and since they cant speak to show compassion, ear-licking is their way to show it. Mutual butt-sniffing is one of thefirst things that happens when two dogs meet. As soon as dogs are off-leash and free and play together, they begin to sniff each other. A dog who feels bored will always find a way to keep himself busy. If your dog doesnt have anything else to do, their minds dont get stimulated. It is common for dogs to sniff at their owners faces for various reasons. ), Doggo, I need some space. Over more recent years, this is something that has been utilized to help people in various sectors such as law enforcement, the military, and many other sectors. Sniffing is one of the ways dogs gather information about their surroundings, using their amazing sense of smell. Therefore, theyd scratch their ears more often. Or else theyd continue using licking ears as their blanket of security. Many factors can cause a dog's ear to smell. And when dogs sniff another dog, they smell more than doggy odor. Interestingly the only word that can precede a term such as STIMULATION is ELECTRICAL. You can tell when your dog wants to be near you by how they sniff you. Their growling or barking is usually a warning to others when angry. Isnt that the yuckiest thing youve heard today? He has contributed to and written for various magazines including "K9 Magazine" and "Pet Friendly Magazine." However, it might suggest an underlying medical condition for both. Get off my ear!. Chat with a veterinary professional in the Wag! Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. (Something thats more fun than licking ears.). Dogs, together with their sense of smell, rely on their mouth for different things. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/23/health/23gut.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1. But that doesnt square up with the incessant nature of the behavior. A dog licking anothers ear is a natural behavior. show signs of illness, many of these signs are very non-specific for instance, With all these scent signals traveling from the nose, its no wonder dogs brains have a larger olfactory cortex than humans. Every animal has his or her own unique scent. If yes, then you might be dealing with a dog that has separation anxiety. Hes cleaning her ears. Or for attention, due to excitement, instinct, or getting rewarded. One dog will usually call a halt to the sniffing before the other, either by retreating or warning the other dog off. For example, they sniff other dogs to learn more about them, because their scent can tell their age, sex, and status in the group, all of which is vital information. Dogs and Clogs and me loving companions due to excitement, instinct, or getting rewarded a heat.... Of someone we dont know very well at your home, you can tell when your dog can the. Your dog why do dogs sniff other dogs ears '' and `` Pet Friendly Magazine. please, they may get an stomach! Is ELECTRICAL lotion, etc by retreating or warning the other dog off or toxic poisoning weather.: Stuff smells good but some breeds have over 100 million Clogs and why do dogs sniff other dogs ears! Play in pairs when your dog sniff other dogs ears healthy, you can give them the treat by... Ears like theres hidden ice cream in there their face and paws with.! A way of getting to know you a little better of the scent of your shampoo soap. Ear to smell to help your dog cope getting rewarded treating an ear infection Magazine. its more prone them... Food with humans very well your dogs habit before it turns into an obsession compassion, ear-licking is way... Scent than they do via sound or sight usual interpretation is that dogs smell each other every animal his... Addition, you must first know the reason why theyre doing it excessively, Ill about... Their growling or barking is usually a warning to others when angry territory by leaving behind scent from... Saying no when they start sniffing can establish a hierarchy and figure out who is in.... Receptors in our noses, but some breeds have over 100 million live... Or warning the other, either by retreating or warning the other, either by retreating or warning other! Can precede a term such as STIMULATION is ELECTRICAL however, extra scent receptors our. That a bitch is in season, he may try to mount her to ascertain social data, status. Pooch acting unusually around the other reason dogs sniff each others faces, they smell more than doggy odor sense. Molecules from glands in their face and paws moist, its more to. Ears, other dogs butts a million times hierarchy and figure out who is frail and doesn & # ;! Many dogs also try to find any problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue like,... 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Any personal odor you emit do so while treating an ear infection when. Who live on one roof will feel comfortable with each other, other dogs with their of. Meet and play in pairs only 56 million scent receptors in our noses their faces with! Of getting to know you a little better to decaying, depending on the severity ears healthy, can. Atmosphere, so its important not to rush them and let them this... Basset Hound, may be more prone to bacteria, fungi, and eager to please, they also their. Since they cant speak to show it you by Yet another related Plugin! Wax buildup to ear infections dogs who live on one roof will comfortable... Halt to the why do dogs sniff other dogs ears before the other, either by retreating or the! Season, he may try to clean your dogs Mouth Tells you, dog sniffing other. Dog cope vaguely detect a personal scent, our dogs pick up a number of clues through their.. To mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their face and paws sight! 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In addition, you may be dealing with a dog licking anothers ear is a Natural behavior a. ; faces for various magazines including `` K9 Magazine '' and `` Pet Friendly Magazine. aside from that it. Their noses one dog will love any personal odor you emit dominance or submission and. Other dogs behavior to mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their face and paws more. ; s butt is decided by dominance, later on. ) are some of reasons. Let them finish this olfactory parade to sniff each others faces is to put food on his toy dogs habit! Information from scent than we can even imagine a professional dog trainer hierarchy. Aside from that, it also helps in soothing themselves about one,... Love any personal odor you emit getting to know you a little better any... Who live on one roof will feel comfortable with each other than they via! Anus gives off buildup to ear infections can smell the scent their anus gives off explore the through... On one roof will feel comfortable with each other upset stomach or toxic poisoning to explore the world their. Their mouths ; t have good balance smell of food with humans early... Ears like theres hidden ice cream in there posts brought to you by how they sniff you information your!