Are you a dog owner with multiple dogs? Or have you just noticed that some dogs lick each other in the private area? Either way, you may find this behavior strange and don’t like when your dog does this. The question is, is it a cause for concern? In most cases, it shouldn’t be at all. There may be some instances where you might want to look into why this is happening. Keep reading below to find out more!
Table of Contents
- Why Does My Dog Lick My Puppy’s Privates?
- Is This Behavior Tolerated By Other Dogs?
- How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Other Dog’s Private Areas?
- Why Is My Dog Licking My Other Dog – ANSWERED!
- Why Do My Dogs Lick Each Other’s Private Areas? – FAQs
Why Does My Dog Lick My Puppy’s Privates?
There are a few different reasons why your dog is licking other dog’s private areas. I have listed them below:
- Just to say hello
- Curiosity reasons
- For health issues
- To groom each other
- Out of habit
Just to Say Hello
The good news about this behavior is that more often than not, it is perfectly normal behavior for a dog. In fact, dogs’ social behaviors usually include ways to get to know other dogs. They actually do this in lots of different ways!
Unlike humans, dogs use all of their senses when they “meet” and get to know another dog. This also includes using both taste and smell.
Dogs also have sweat glands that emit pheromones. Pheromones can tell dogs a lot about each other. This can include their age, health, gender, and sexual receptiveness. In some cases what kind of mood the other dog is in! The place you are going to find the highest concentration of pheromones, of course, is in their private area.
This is commonly your dog just trying to get to know the other dog. They use this as a way of communication. Non-verbally is the most common way in which dogs communicate with each other. It is similar to they way we can communicate through body language cues.
Curiosity Reasons
Dogs are seriously curios souls. Even if it is a bad smell or something, dogs will usually be sticking their nose in it. They are not always most concerned with self-preservation, and so they often dive into situations – nose first!
If you are disgusted by your dog sniffing and licking other dogs and their private areas, they are just doing it as a matter of curiosity.
Similarly to how dogs touch and eat different things, they are just curious and want to learn about their environment. They may even just be seeing what the other dog tastes like to compare it to how they taste themselves.
For Health Issues
Dogs are very intuitive individuals, and even though they go around sniffing each others behinds they are very instinctive. This is particularly the case when there is something wrong. This is even why dogs are used as service dogs. Previously, dogs have actually been able to detect when their owners are having a stroke, or have cancer!
While this is one extreme, they are also capable of detecting much milder problems. If you notice that your dog is being licked in the same place excessively by another dog, or even multiple dogs, then it may be best to get them checked out. Bring your dog to their vet as they may have an underlying health condition.
While it could be very minor, or even nothing, it is in the best interest of your dog. You could just wait a little while to see if dogs calm down with licking your dog. I recommend if this goes on for a long period of time to get your dog checked.
To Groom Each Other
Licking may also be a sign that your dog is just showing affection to your other dog. While less common for this to happen around a dog’s private parts, it does happen. This is particularly common around dogs that have a close bond. The dog is helping to clean up the other dog, and it’s a sign of care and affection.
Think of it like a mother grooming her puppies. She will lick her puppies to help clean them and make sure they are taken care of. This is a similar type of behavior that translates when dogs lick other dogs’ private parts. If your dogs are related this will most likely be the case.
Out Of Habit
If your dog has another dog at home or routinely licks himself, he may just be acting out of habit.
Is the dog your dog is licking is not a new dog? In this case, they aren’t trying to learn anything new about the dog. Instead, they may just be acting on instinct. You may find this strange but that is just dogs being dogs!
As I’ve previously said, the private area is rare for this behavior. Your dog may just be trying to help out the other dog. They could also be trying to get their attention, and for any number of reasons.
Again, they are used to sniffing and licking as a means to explore the world. Therefore, they may simply lick other dogs’ private areas as a habit that they have formed over time.
Is This Behavior Tolerated By Other Dogs?
In most situations, this behavior is totally normal.
That being said, this doesn’t mean that the other dog will actually tolerate this behavior. In most cases, adult dogs will tolerate other digs licking their private areas for a little while.
Is the other dog sniffing and licking their private area for an excessive length of time? This may change their temperament to show that they have had enough. In most cases, this may occur when puppies are licking an older dog’s privates. This is because they are much more curios and may spend more time doing this as they are even more curios than adult dogs!
How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Other Dog’s Private Areas?
Has your dog already been excessively licking another dogs private area for longer than roughly 20 seconds? You need to distract your dog by calling their name sharply. Call for them to ‘come’ and distract them with a toy or treat.
You could also tell them ‘no’ or ‘enough’. Whatever command they are used to in order to know that their behavior is wrong will be good. By practicing this whenever they do this behavior, it won’t take long for them to realize that this behavior is wrong.
Why Is My Dog Licking My Other Dog – ANSWERED!
If you are worried about why your dog is licking your other dog, there should be nothing to worry about. Have you found that your dog is being licked excessively in one place? In this case, then maybe this could be a cause for concern.
In this situation, it may be best just to bring your pooch to the vet as a precautionary measure. You could even just phone your vet to check their opinion on the situation. This won’t cost you anything either, and it will give you peace of mind.
Have you enjoyed this post and would like to read through some other similar topics? I have linked some of my previous posts below which might help answer any other questions you may have!
Why Do My Dogs Lick Each Other’s Private Areas? – FAQs
Dogs have heightened senses and may lick other dogs’ pee to learn about them. Male dogs are often interested in their sex life by licking the urine of another male.
while pups and mothers usually lick each other to groom one another, you may find it strange when two male adult dogs partake in this behavior. Two strongly bonded doggy friends sometimes will even lick and groom one another to show signs of affection, friendship, or love.
When dogs groom each, they just do this as a way to get clean. If the dogs are getting acquainted with each other, then this is a sign that the dogs have joined each other’s pack. They have been invited into each other’s community. Dog saliva contains pheromones which can let the other dog know what kind of mood they are in.
Licking is not always a sign of affection, but mostly it is. When dogs lick each other or humans, this is a release of pleasurable endorphins. It shows that they are comfortable and relaxed. You may notice the timing they do this is often when they are relaxing with their owner on the sofa while watching tv, or if you stop in the kitchen to pet them for a little while. In these cases, it will be mostly that they are displaying signs of affection.
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