We always hear about how terrific dogs’ senses of smell are. The drug dogs can sniff out an ounce of coke that’s been vacuum-sealed, coated with wax, and wrapped with coffee grounds from a distance of 500 ft.
So why is it when a dog sees another dog it has to put its nose DIRECTLY INTO the other dog’s bunghole? Couldn’t it already smell it enough from a distance??
And what is the reason for doing this?
Thanks.
The reason, as you can guess, is to smell them. Dogs have scent glands around their rectum. The dog that puts his nose in your dog’s butt is just trying to identify the other dog.
It’s because of the original asshole party. All the dogs were required to put their asshole in a room at the beginning of the party. Then the cops came and busted the party and everyone ran out and just grabbed the closest asshole. From then on, they have been searching for their own asshole.
Yes, but do they really need to get that CLOSE?
The anal scent glands broadcast the dog’s status and rank. That allows another dog info as to how to interact.
BTW, when a dog is running away with the tail between the legs, it is attempting to cover up its lack of status by plugging the anus with the tail.
Don’t forget that since dogs can smell so well, they’re constantly bombarded with tons of smells. This is just a WAG but perhaps to really concentrate on the other dog’s particular smell, they have to go right to the source - the ANAL SAC.
Also, from what I’ve read, dogs don’t expel odors from their anal sacs as much as they used to (before domestication). In fact, we would smell our dogs’ butts too if they did use it (when I have my dog’s sac cleaned, you can smell the residue that gets on her hind feathers). Think of it as a common courtesy to their masters that dogs don’t have openly-stinky butts and need to get up close and personal to exchange “company information” these days 
My guess is they like it. Dogs seem to like lots of strong, nasty smells that people usually avoid. And its probably like a greeting, like shaking hands. My dog does this with his friend dogs almost every time they meet, even though they already know their ranks and who they are. I don’t think they have to smell another dog’s butt to recognize it. Sure, Enola’s right, but I think there is more to it than that.
Anyway, I just have to hijack a little here. I have a friend who keeps his large dog from digging under the fence by using an electric wire fence just inside the chain-link. He discovered that he could test the fence, using rubber-soled tennis shoes, by just touching the wire with his fingers. The shock would be very mild as long as the ground was dry. So, he goes to test the fence one day and the dog chooses that instant to sniff his butt. Whamo! Right in the sensitive :eek: area.
Anyway, my guess is that the dog thinks (with smarting nose) "So that’s why people don’t do that to each other.
To expand on EchoKitty’s explanation:
(slightly different than I remember it)
The tune is “The Church’s One Foundation”. Thank you for reminding me of this ditty.
I probably shouldn’t ask,but i have never owned a dog.
What exactly does cleaning out an anal sac involve ZipperJJ ?!
In response to effac3d’s question:
All it takes is a pair of rubber gloves, some lubricant, some paper towels, and several gallons of humility.
The anal sacs are very near the entrance to the rectum, so you don’t have to go very far in. There are two of them and, when full, they are each about the size of a grape. Just press on them and the stuff comes out, relieving the poor animal’s pressure and itching.
The substance that comes out is nothing like feces. It’s kind of yellowish and has a very metallic odor. Not pleasant, but it could be worse.
My wife and I save 15 bucks a month by doing this ourselves instead of going to the vet each time.
I had a dog as a child and I have never heard of this. The vet never mentioned it as far as I know. Was the poor animal suffering his whole life due to our neglect? Or does this only have to be done with females? Or are you guys pulling our legs?
My current summer job is as a dog bather, so I’ll give you the goods as explained to me by the Groomer who taught me how to express glands. Both male and female dogs have anal glands. Normally, large dogs express their anal glands without human help, when they defecate.
Small dogs, however, often don’t have strong enough muscles to express their glands when they defecate, so the glands can get overfull and need to be manually emptied by humans.
Where I work, we do not express the glands on any dog larger than a Shetland sheepdog, so if your dog is sheltie sized or larger you probably don’t need to worry about her glands.
If you see your dog dragging her bum across the ground, her anal glands could be full. (or she could have worms which is another problem entirely.) Your Vet can empty them for you. Also, many people will ask their Groomer to empty the glands when they take their dog in to be groomed. Then, the glands are expressed in the bath, and the residue gets washed off with shampoo and water, leaving your dog smelling nice. Depending on how long your dog has gone without getting her glands emptied, the contents can be normal yellowish-brown with a metallic smell, like Jpeg Jones said, to an extremely foul smelling thick brown or green paste.
Be careful if you do try to clean your dog’s glands yourself. If they are overfull it can be painful to the dog and you might get bitten.
Groomers and Vets are used to this and secure the dog so that it cannot bite them. A Vet or Groomer can also show you how to do it yourself, instructions can also be found in a lot of dog books.
Detailed instructions follow. Gross out warning.
A good time to empty them is when you give your dog a bath. First, soak your dog and work dog shampoo into her coat, lathering up every part. Secure your dog with a leash tied to something, and pull the dog towards you, so that her head is at the full extension of the leash. This way she cannot turn around and bite you. Grip the base of her tail with one hand and lift slightly, and place your other hand with the thumb and index finger on either side of your dogs anus. you’ll need to grope around a bit to find them, if you cant feel anything, your dogs glands are probably empty.
If they’re full, you’ll feel two hard lumps directly to either side of the anus. Dig your fingers into the flesh and squeeze, pulling towards you. This will squeeze out the fluid inside… onto your hand. Be careful! It can sometimes squirt quite a distance. This is why its preferable to express them in the bath. Keep a good grip on her tail, because most dogs will squirm when you express their glands. I imagine its rather a violating feeling, but if its gotta be done, its gotta be done.
Gloves are a preference… I dont use them, because they usually fill up with water and get all slimy on the inside. The stuff is nasty but you can just wash off your hand with water and soap/shampoo and then you’re fine. It can also be harder to get a grip on the glands if you’re wearing gloves. It also depends on how strong your stomach is. When you’re done, just rinse and re-apply shampoo to your dogs bum, and she’ll be all fresh and clean, if somewhat disgruntled for a bit.
To follow up on Sureal’s skepticism of the identification explanation Here’s my WAG
If my memory isn’t failing me, butt sniffing is reserved for strange dogs. If identification requires such intimate contact, explain the ability of dogs to identify a particular human scent off clothing and track an hours old scent trail. So what else could require dogs to perform such close examination of strangers? Could it be a record of the type of food this strange dog has been eating and whether a foray into this dogs territory is a worthwhile pursuit?Perhaps when we witness a vigorous sniffing episode, The sniffer might be sensing a hint of venison remnants or the like suggesting that the game is good in this dogs territory. The vigorously sniffing dog needs to be absolutely certain.
When you see a stranger come to the shore hauling out of the boat a pair of 30lb king salmon and you got skunked that day, you’re going to get friendly and inquisitive yourself.
That explains it. My dog was what I guess you could call medium-large. He was a mixture (according to the vet) of toy collie, irish setter, and terrier. He never dragged his butt or indicated any discomfort in that area so I guess he didn’t have that problem. He had other health problems but its good to know that he wasn’t also suffering from that. Thanks for the info!
I’ve heard it explained as grienspace laid it out. A dog will sniff another’s butt to see how well they’ve been eating. If it smells something it likes, then the other dog is one to hang out with and the sniffer might likely eat well also. Don’t remember where I heard/read this. Unca Cecil maybe?