Introduction
Dogs are led by scents - that's their dominant sense and for good reason. Dogs smell about 100,000 times better than humans do, and with about 25 times more smell receptors and a 40 times larger olfactory complex, it makes sense that they do. The blunt thing about people and dogs is that we all give off certain scents.
Pheromones are a chemical substance that is produced and released by an animal (or person) in an environment that might affect the behaviors of physiology. They can trigger all kinds of behavior, sexual and not.
Your dog, with their super-sensing nose, can certainly smell the pheromones your body is giving off, and often, they're game to investigate. This means they can stick their noses in places they certainly don't belong.
Want to know some signs your dog might be giving you to let you know that they are detecting the pheromones you're giving off? Want to learn how to get your dog away from their instinct-driven-but-invasive sniffing?
We've got you covered. Check out our guide below for all things pheromone and dog related.
Signs Your Dog Can Smell Your Pheromones
Humans release pheromones from all kinds of organs, but release large doses of them from their sex organs. That means your dog, who can smell in parts per trillion, by the way, is going to head straight to your no-no zones for a good whiff to get to know you.
That means your dog might exhibit behaviors like excessive sniffing and licking, and intrusive behavior that might result in some snouts in places you don't particularly care for them to be.
It's important that your dog gets a good read on you and how you're doing, so it's possible this will result in some anxiety and nervousness. And, if you refuse your dog a whiff, it's possible it might result in some uncharacteristic frantic behavior or even some stress and anxiety.
Body Language
- Alert
- Guarding
- Jumping up
- Sniffing
- Drooling
- Nose licking
- Licking
- Nose wrinkled
Other Signs
- Excessive sniffing
- Anxious or nervous behavior
- Unwarranted, pushy behavior
- Intrusive snout placement
History of Dogs Smelling Pheromones
Dogs may even treat you like a canine when it comes to understanding you. For dogs, sniffing is the dominant sense, and reading scents is much like reading a written status report about the target of its sniffing. So, your dog smelling and investigating your scent is a way for them to gather information about you, your well-being, and other driving factors.
Dogs treat humans like canines, right? Have you ever seen how two dogs greet each other? We're sure you have, and we're sure you've tried to get your doggo to stop sniffing at the other dog's butt in public. That's just dog behavior though, and they garner a certain amount of information about other canines by giving them a big ol' sniff. It's the same for people. Your dog is simply looking for information about you!
Science of Dogs Smelling Pheromones
What does that mean? Well, think about it this way. If we were to dilute an ounce of blood into 20 Olympic-sized pools, your dog would be able to smell that drop of blood. Amazing, right? So, it makes sense that with their intense sniffing abilities, they'd be led by scents.
That's why dogs use scent to help them download certain information about people and other canines. Using scent to understand who they're dealing with, what they're like, and more information, is simply just a dog thing and it's because they're driven by their snouts.
Training Your Dog Pheromone-Smelling Manners
Make sure your dog understands basic obedience commands like "no" and "stop it" so that even if they begin to participate in the un-welcomed behavior, they can be instructed to stop right away. Additionally, you'll want to reward your dog for positive behavior.
Ensure that when your pup does sniff in the wrong spots, they're able to recognize that you consider it wrong and don't approve of this actions. Do this with a firm, verbal "no,' or send them to their cage for 5-10 minutes following the unwanted action. When they do greet people correctly, ensure they know it! Give them love, attention, and of course, treats!
How to React to Your Dog Smelling Pheromones:
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Realize your pooch is not getting invasive to be rude.
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Allow your pup to take in smells from a bit further away.
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Teach your dog to listen to the "sit" and "stay" commands.