When two dogs meet, they will inevitably spend the first few minutes sniffing each other’s private parts. “Sniffing is your dog’s way of learning information about anew animal,” says Dr. Spiegel. Because dogs have such a strong and powerful sense of smell they can often detect whether they have been around other animals or not.
So when your dog meets new people, it’s only natural that he greets them by sniffing. Your dog might even think there is nothing wrong in lifting this behavior makes many people rather uncomfortable – especially if the sniffing gets outs of hand – so it’s up to you to teach your dog to greet your human friends in a manner that is more socially acceptable.
Stop That Sniffing:
To prevent your dog from getting too pushy in other people’s private places, put your dog’s collar and leash on when you are expecting guests. Be ready to correct him with a “Leave it” command and a slight jerk on the leash if he tries to nosey around where you don’t want to. Follow the “Leave it” command with a “Sit” or “Down” command so that you can praise your dog when he complies with your wishes.
If your dog sniffs you in such a way, don’t step backward or move out of his reach. Your dog will interpret this as submissive behavior and he’ll begin to think that he’s in charge. Instead, make him back away from you by moving forward into him and saying “No!” in a strong, clear voice. You can also offer him a substitute item to become interested in and reward him for leaving you alone.
A dog’s desire to sniff can increase tenfold when you take him outdoors for his daily exercise sessions. If your dog is the kind who sniffs constantly while you’re out walking, use the same “Leave it” command and a little leash correction. This way he’ll know he doesn’t have to investigate every odor he encounters.
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