The official Speaking of Dogs Monthly Newsletter

   Ask the Trainer

   “From Butts to Bondings: How Dogs Use Scent to Connect”

Do you often wonder why dogs sniff each other butts and private parts?

To understand, lets first look at how powerful a dog’s sense of smell is and how they communicate.  Like us, dogs have five basic neurological senses: touch, hearing, sight, taste, and smell.  While humans rely primarily on vision to understand their environment, dogs use their sense of smell.  A dog’s ability to smell and sniff is far more advanced than that of humans.  When dogs greet each other, they are using their sense of smell rather than vocalizations to transmit information. Dogs can gather so much more detailed information from scent than we can even imagine.

Just how good is a dog’s sense of smell?

A dog’s sense of smell, which is their strongest sense, is around 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. This is because their noses have 150 million smell receptors compared to just 5 million in humans. Certain breeds even exceed that, like a Blood hound, who has 300 million smell receptors! Dogs also dedicate about 30% of their brain to processing smells, while humans use only 5 % of our brains for this purpose.

Dogs can detect scents in parts per trillion, which means they pick up on things we can’t. For instance, while we might smell a freshly baked apple pie as a combination of crust, apples, and cinnamon, our dogs would detect the individual ingredients, such as flour and eggs.

Dogs also have a special tool to aid their sense of smell called Jacobson’s organ (or vomeronasal organ). Located in their nasal cavity, this organ helps them detect certain chemicals that we can’t even smell. It allows them to pick up on pheromones, which provides information about another dog’s mood, readiness to mate, or if they’re a friend or foe.

Do dogs use smell to communicate?

When we meet someone new, we use facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language to understand them.  Similarly, dogs use body language, but their sense of smell plays an important role in gathering information about other dogs. By sniffing, they can tell if the other dog is male or female, puppy or adult, happy or aggressive, and healthy or unwell.  Some dogs like to leave their mark on trees and fire hydrants.  It’s sometimes referred to as “pee-mail.” When another dog comes along, they can gather all the neighbourhood gossip by sniffing.

So, WHY do dogs sniff each other’s butts?

This is a common question, as it seems odd to humans, but it’s how dogs greet each other and gather vital information. Inside a dog’s rectum are two small glands called anal glands which produce a strong-smelling substance. Dogs sniff this area to learn all kinds of information about the other dog, such as whether they have met before, how the dog is feeling, and who might be the more assertive dog.

Dogs can set the tone for their relationship by how they sniff each other.  The more assertive dog usually sniffs first, while the more submissive dog may wait their turn or move away sooner.  Sometimes a dog may sit down to hide their scent and limit the information they give out.

Dogs have excellent scent memory and, just by smell, can recognize other dogs they haven’t seen in years. When dogs in the same family are reunited after being apart, they use their noses to catch up on where the other has been and what they’ve been doing.

Sniffing each other’s butts isn’t just about communication, though. It can also be a calming, stress-relieving ritual for dogs. So, the next time you see dogs sniffing each other’s butts, remember they’re just saying hello in their own special way. It’s like shaking hands and getting to know each other.

So now you are aware dogs’ primary sense is their nose and it’s how they navigate their environment and greet friends.  Preventing your dog from exploring the world through their sense of scent would be like putting a blindfold on a human. Giving your dog the chance to smell provides them with valuable information and stimulates them mentally.

On their walks, give them lots of opportunities to sniff the world, greet other dogs and have a little “sniffari.”   If you want to balance sniffing time with walking, teach them clues like “leave it” or “let’s go” when you’re ready to move on. Use sniffing time as a reward after some nice loose-leash walking. Teach the “go sniff” cue when you reach a tree or fire hydrant, so your dog knows it’s okay to explore with their nose.

By giving your dog opportunities to explore their world through scent, you’re not only allowing them to engage in natural behaviours, but also providing them with mental stimulations and a deeper connection to both their environment and other dogs. So, the next time you’re out for a walk, let your dog take the lead with their nose and enjoy the journey of discovery together. You might gain a new appreciation for how your dog experiences the world!

Written by

Corey McCusker, CPDT-KA

Corey is the founder of Muttz with Mannerz Canine Academy located in Stouffville. In addition, Corey is an evaluator for St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program and created the first Kids & K9 Camp in Canada.

   Dogs Looking for Homes

Open your heart and your home to a rescue dog. You’ll be glad you did.

For complete information about the adoption process, please visit www.speakingofdogs.com/adoption-process.

Meet Kevin, an approximately 5-6 year old chihuahua.  He is a sweet, smart, calm, and happy little man.  He had a rough start to life, living in a hoarding situation with over 50 chihuahuas.  Because of this, he can be a timid boy, and might be unsure in certain situations, seek out a place to hide when this happens, but he is completely non aggressive when afraid.

Kevin needs a home that will be patient with him as he overcomes his fears, and he has big made strides in his current foster home, having overcome his fear of the other dogs in the house to the point of ignoring them.  He absolutely loves his foster dad, and follows him everywhere, hopping into his lap when he sits down, and is even happier if he has a treat, because they are SO delish!  He loves sleeping in his foster dad’s bed, (who doesn’t like a thick comfy mattress to crash on for the night!).

With new people in the house, Kevin is friendly and will jump into their lap for a snuggly hello. Given what he’s been through, this adorable boy really does show a remarkable ability to trust people. He is a perfect gentleman at the vet’s office and loves the car ride in his crate or using a doggie seatbelt. 

Kevin prefers to be inside and does not enjoy time in the yard.  His new family will have to leash him to take him out to go to the bathroom. Kevin is working hard on housetraining, and is even learning to go potty on command. How smart is that!?!  For his own safety, Kevin is crated when left alone and should be leashed in any unfenced situation, due to his fears and being a flight risk. The sound of the leash clipping on and off sometimes alarms him but he is getting used to it, showing how brave this little chap can be with some love and patience.

If you think you are the right fit for Kevin, please fill out an application for our consideration.

Click here to visit our adoption application.

For more information on each dog, simply click on their pictures and you’ll be taken to our available dogs.

Want to help our dogs?

Consider making a donation from our Amazon wish list of priority dog supplies.

   Happy Tails 

   a.k.a. Recent Adoptions

Chip

Honey

Jovie

Max

Mimi

Neil

Ollie

Oreo

Pippa

Sugar

Story

   Adoption Update

Dear Speaking of Dogs Rescue,

I just wanted to say hello and let you how things are going with Ace.  The frustrated, troubled, 11 year-old who came to me is now 14. He’s having some mobility issues but he’s a big guy at just over 70 pounds and I know our time together is limited. We are doing everything that can be done. He is on Librela shots, Meloxicam and lots of supplements. Massage, reiki and red light therapy have been a great help to him.  He’s maintaining, although each day is a bit different – I know that each day is a gift at this point. Most of the days are good and he’s eating well, likes his friends and sniffing out in the yard. Some days he wants to go for a walk and other days he’d rather just stay home. I leave it up to him, I watch him very closely.

I hope you did well with your walk for the pups.

I’ve never regretted adopting an older dog, and have adopted a few from Speaking of Dogs Rescue.  I wish more people would adopt the seniors.

   Wags & Wiggles

   a.k.a. “Thank you’s & Shout Out’s”

Big thanks to all of the Speaking of Dogs Rescue volunteers who braved the heat, rain and wind to operate our booth at Woofstock.

Thanks also to our supporters who came out to say hello, buy a few goodies, and enjoy the festivities. Kudos to Captain Karen who did a doggone great job! We were able to raise needed funds for the many dogs in our care.  Enjoy some photos of the weekend!

THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who supported our STEP UP for the PUPS walkathon!

It was a huge success and will help so many dogs! It actually already has.

Our walkers did a fantastic job with fundraising, social media posting and keeping their sponsors updated!

To those who donated, we are grateful beyond words, you really and truly STEPPED UP!

We really appreciate your support and donations!

We raised over $2K!

Thanks to our ALL FOR THE DOGS volunteers: Kelly, Karen, Andi, Bev, Nicky, Ian, Ellie, and Lorraine.