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Why Do Dogs Show You Their Bum
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Common
Normal
Introduction
Your dog might sit on your feet, back up into your leg,
or spin in excitement until their rear is closest to you. And sometimes, when
you expect a happy slurp in greeting, you might get a face full of dog butt
instead.
A dog’s butt is so much more complex, both
physiologically and socially, than a human’s. You probably know that dogs sniff
each other’s rear ends to get acquainted, but what else goes on beneath the
tail? Why do they turn around and give you their rear instead of their face? Is
this normal behavior? Why do they think we want their back end instead of their
front?
The Root of the Behavior
Dogs sniff each other’s rears as part of their introduction.
It’s an important way that dogs get information about each other. Humans might
think it’s strange or awkward, but for a dog, a routine sniff beneath the tail
is more effective than shaking hands and saying “hello.”
Because of scent glands under their tails, a dog can
sniff out all kinds of information, including what the dog eats, their general
health, mood, sex, age, how much they exercise, and even stress level.
Additionally, this “rear-first” method of introduction can sometimes stave off
a conflict, as it avoids direct eye contact which leads to assessing dominance
between the two dogs. Since greeting others in this manner is natural for dogs,
sometimes they assume that humans feel the same way.
The other common behavior dogs will demonstrate is
something usually called the “hip nudge.” A dog presenting their rear to you is
a sign of passivity and friendliness. Turning their face away demonstrates that
they trust you and don’t feel threatened. A dog will either touch you gently
with their hip or bum, or will wait passively with their backs to you. A dog
that isn’t comfortable with you won’t turn their backs and show this form of
vulnerability. They’re showing that their teeth are furthest away from you and
don’t intend to harm you.
Another possible, related reason why dogs present their
rumps to you is attempting to “claim” you. Since those scent glands under their
tails are a massive source of pheromones, chemical smells that we humans don’t
notice, they may be trying to leave their scents on you, therefore claiming you
as theirs. Which is totally normal. Dogs just want to show you how much they
love you and be close to you.
One other simple reason: they just want a good scratch.
Dogs who have been affected by fleas may have a particular spot, just above the
base of the tail on their backs, where the itchy sensation becomes localized.
Even if they don’t have fleas, that spot is a common favorite in a lot of dogs.
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Get Vet ChatEncouraging the Behavior
Your dog’s rear-first greeting is completely normal and
acceptable. Don’t be offended if your dog would much rather sit on your foot
than lick your face. Even if they might seem a little pushy or persistent with
their rumps, it doesn’t mean your dog is trying to control you or dominate you.
Actually, the reverse is true: you dog is showing you passivity. A dog presenting
their rear is communicating that they trust you not to harm them, and that
they, in turn, won’t harm you. It’s a gesture made out of love, friendliness,
and trust.
If your dog is really persistent—or really big—and their
hip bumps are actually knocking you or your kids over, don’t punish them for
their hip nudges. They don’t realize their loving greeting can hurt anyone.
Instead, give them the affection and attention in greeting (like a good scratch
above the tail) before they can knock into you, and distract them with a toy or
something else. You can also consult a trainer to work on training your dog to
sit and calm down for a few minutes when you first greet them at the door, so
their excited backside bumps don’t result in any accidental knockdowns.
Other Solutions and Considerations
Since dogs only want to show you love and passivity by
showing you their rears, there’s nothing about showing you their rear that
should be considered concerning. You may feel differently if you’ve ever been
awoken by a dog sitting on your head, but they don’t mean any harm by it. If
you have a large dog and small children, you may need to work with your dog to
avoid overexuberance-caused accidents, but don’t punish your dog for their hip
nudges. It would be like yelling at someone for saying “I love you.”
If your dog has demonstrated other behaviors, like
rubbing their bum on the carpet or grass, you may need to consult a vet to rule
out parasites or other conditions that may be affecting them.
Conclusion
A dog’s rear end is a complex body part, used not only for expelling waste and occasionally gas, but also for introductions, pheromones, and demonstrating their love and their trust for you. So, if you have a dog who loves butting in, give them a scratch and a pet. They love you!
Written by a Border Collie lover Charlotte Perez
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/14/2018, edited: 01/30/2020
More articles by Charlotte Perez