Dogs can smell infection. It should be noted that a dog that has recurrent ear infections often has an underlying condition that should be addressed. Licking is a common way for animals such as cats and dogs to display signs of illness some will lick at the area that is injured and hurt for comfort or even because they are trying to lick away the illness. Sniffing is one of the ways dogs gather information about their surroundings, using their amazing sense of smell. You might already know that dogs have a powerful sense of smell. That's an impressive nose. This allows you to find any problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue. Due to their highly-tuned sense of smell, scent hounds such as Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, and Beagles are more likely to sniff at crotches. And use it to stop them when theyre trying to lick your other dogs ears. Dogs can smell layers upon layers of scents even when we can smell nothing. It is only when one dog is averse to being sniffed that this ritual goes unobserved, as the unwilling participant will use body language and growling to warn the other dog away from approaching. Washington State University: Anal Sac Disease, The Humane Society of the United States: Introducing your Dog to Other Pets. To give your dog a treat, hold it out to his nose. Founded in 1884, the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. When they sniff a new object, they investigate it further. The way something smells gives dogs more information than the way something looks, feels, sounds, or tastes. Thus, theyll be more encouraged to do this. While this helps remove ear mites, excessive sniffing and licking can cause irritation, or worst, an ear infection. Some do it quickly, others really take their time, and the dog parents are discouraged by this spectacle far from human propriety! - Dog Blog. Its helpful for owners to get a sense of why your dog seeks to sniff everything in sight. What Does It Mean? With little licks here and there to test boundaries. Teach a go sniff cue when its time for the break, so your dog knows its okay to relax and catch some odors. We will cover such topics as natural puppy rearing, and how to properly develop your dog's drive and use it to create an emotional bond and achieve obedience as a result. For that reason, always have time to check your dogs ears. Humans enjoy the company of dogs because they are social animals. This makes them lick excessively. You see, licking releases the endorphin hormones. Natural scent:All kinds of scents can be detected by your dogs nose, full of sensitive receptors. With the help of different interactions and touches, your dog can easily understand what you want to convey. Austin Dog Butt Sniffing 101 | Game Time Dog Services Austin, TX, Why Do Yorkies and other Dogs Smell Each Other I Love Yorkies, Why Do Dogs Smell Each Other https://naturaldogtraining.com/blog/why-do-dogs-smell-each-other | jodivey, https://naturaldogtraining.com/blog/why-do-dogs-smell-each-other…. Sniffing our ears specifically is probably an extension of this behavior as the ear is home to many scent-releasing glands similar to those in a dog's nose. If you need to clean your dogs ears, here are the steps: Hold the bottle of vet-approved ear cleaner above your dogs ear and gently squeeze the solution into the ear. 11 Surprising Reasons Why Your Dog Wont Roll Over + 7 Tips, 17 Reasons Why Your Dog Looks Up At The Ceiling + 5 Tips. The Reason Behind Dogs Smelling Each Other. Licking and sniffing are common traits associated with dogs that theyll carry throughout their lives. And that could be the reason why your dog sniffs you. Most dogs sniff their owners faces for a good reason. This is because damp ears can be breeding grounds for bacteria. It is common for dogs to sniff at their owners faces for various reasons. Its salty and it smells funky You should try it!. Yes, dogs love to savor weird flavors, like that of the earwax, too! We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. So, when a dog meets another dog, they each have stories to tell. To the point that theyre already causing licking wounds or infections to your other dogs. app 24/7. Dogs can detect some smells in parts per trillion. What does it mean when a male dog licks a female dogs ear? Your dog licking your ears is just a sign of affection, but if this gets bothersome and annoying, you have to stop and discourage him. She has worked with airlines and the Centers for Disease Control to improve pet travel through veterinary oversight. Therefore, a dog doesnt necessarily know another dog just by looking at it. And if they also attempt to lick your ears and face, this means that they see you as another member of their pack. Sometimes, however, licking can indicate an underlying medical issue, be it with the dog being licked or the one doing the licking. Note: If your dog is showing symptoms of an infection mentioned above, take them to the vet for a check-up. Published: 05/04/2018, edited: 04/06/2020. Interestingly the only word that can precede a term such as STIMULATION is ELECTRICAL. When youre shopping in the grocery store, do you look at different packages to decide what to buy? An ear infection or otitis externa may smell, especially if it already has a discharge. signs could also indicate that your dog is bored or just out of sorts on that Like a Kong. They gain so much enjoyment from it. Many factors can cause a dog's ear to smell. What information do dogs get by sniffing each other? The canine sense of smell is something that has been studied for many years and the results of these studies have shown us just how effective a dogs sense of smell actually is. Its one of the reasons why theyd want to lick other dogs ears. A dominant dog may growl to end the smelling session. They have glands on their faces that emit pheromones, which are calming and reassuring. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Sniffing Can Make Your Dog Feel More Tired. Humans have these glands concentrated in their armpits and genital areas. Why is it so important? If this is the common sight at your home, you may be dealing with a dog who has a compulsive disorder. If your dog wants to sniff your face, there may be a few reasons. This way, theyll get less scared and anxious in new environments. be difficult for us to determine if and when they are unwell. Otherwise, you may find that peoplereally dislike your dog. In cases where a highly dominant dog meets a highly submissive dog, the submissive dog may automatically roll over to allow himself to be sniffed. Because if ears are moistened with saliva, it becomes an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Dogs also have a special scent organ called the vomeronasal organ, located between the roof of the mouth and the bottom of the nasal passage. Mixed ear infections (where bacteria and yeast are present) are common. And this is why every animal has two brains, the Big-Brain-in-the-head and the little-brain-in-the-gut. In most cases, the ritual is consensual and once complete, the two dogs will typically move on to other interactions, such as play. Why does my dog sniff my face? Such as beds, furniture, or even your head. Is this a healthy and normal thing to do? But this time, theyre not bothering other dogs. So, its not hyperbole to suggest that a dogs sense of smell may be even more powerful than a humans sense of sight. (Sometimes, they even do it to you). If you notice your dog licking anothers ear because of the lack of other activities to do, better look up ways to ease his boredom! Aside from that, it also helps in soothing themselves. When two dogs meet, they invariably give one anothers private parts a good sniff. Also called the Jacobsons organ and found in other animals like snakes, cats, and horses, it has specialized receptors that focus on detecting pheromones. That cant be good! By leaving olfactory traces during walks, dogs give information about their identities which are interpreted by all the other dogs that pass on this road! Yeast infections should be seen by your veterinarian within several days. This happens when theres too much saliva in the other dogs ears. Use a cotton ball to gently wipe away any wax and debris. Why Do Dogs Zoom-zoom-zoom Around the House? 14 Ways To Keep Your Husky Occupied During The Holidays? The reason is that they are trying to get your scent. Why Is My Dog Licking My Other Dogs Ear? Tracking, Barn Hunt, and Earthdog are all wonderful ways to celebrate your dogs nose. other dogs body when they are lying down. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. Does ear scent also provide a dogs well-being? Talk to your vet about healthy ways to help your dog cope. From one sniff of a dogs anal gland, the other dog can tell gender, approximate age, pack status (dominant dogs give off different pheromones) and even whether the dog is in season. AKC Scent Work, Barn Hunt, and Tracking are all great ways to channel your dogs urges to sniff. This concern is always up to pet owners. Nobodys judging here.). Although all this is almost invisible to us, it is a gold mine of information for dogs. Smelling each others faces can reveal much information about one another, including what they have been doing and where they have been. That can sometimes happen visually, but it always happens nasally. I mean, can you imagine doing your daily life with another person licking your ear all the time? Dogs also use this behavior to mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their face and paws. While the use of dogs to detect illness is pretty recent in the grand scheme of things, our pooches have proven themselves to be pretty remarkable when it comes to detecting a wide range of health problems in both humans and in fellow canines. As well as respect for a more dominant dog. Hopefully, you can curb your dogs habit before it turns into an obsession. This will help bring the debris toward the outside so that it is easier to clean away. Well, do you come home, and your dogs run towards you to lick and sniff you? Based on PetMD, these are the dog breeds that are prone to having excessive earwax: All my dogs at home lick each others ears. The other reason dogs sniff each others faces is to show dominance or submission. Once they stop and back away, open your hand and give them the treat. When people meet and greet, they shake hands or touch in some way and they exchange pleasantries. Well, hes just telling you much he loves or misses you! My proposal is that this electrochemical energy acts just like electricity in that it wants to run to ground. And behaviorally, the phenomenon of grounding is manifested by an act of physical ingestion, with the sense of smell being the purest and safest manner of ingesting the essence of something. What does your dog smell when it sniffs your face? Another reason why the male pooch will lick the females ear is that hes grooming her. The amount of cleaner that is required will vary between dogs, but your goal is to fill the ear canal until the cleaner is about to overflow out of the ear. They use this to make peace after a conflict. Information is transmitted via noses rather than barks or paw shakes. (Now its making me think of having a good massage, too.). Dogs smell each other as both a form of communication, but also to learn more about the other individual. I have noticed that some dogs cant resist giving me a good smell because their sense of smell is so pleasurable. Why do dogs smell you when you're sleeping? https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. A dog licking anothers ear is a natural behavior. They can detect the gender of the other dog, as well as clues to that dogs age and health status. In conclusion, sniffing odours is an integral part of the life of dogs, and it is essential to let them explore this invisible world at their leisure. Just as we use vision as our main sense for understanding our environment, dogs use their noses. It's their way of integrating into the pack or of passing on a social favor in the form of a bit of friendly grooming. Or when everybodys just chilling and relaxing. But what about a dog that doesnt have an ear infection? While you or I can only vaguely detect a personal scent, our dogs pick up a number of clues through their noses. Humans have only 56 million scent receptors in our noses. (This also serves as a bonding activity in most packs. Also, it's ideal to let dogs meet and play in pairs. All of this information enables each dog to make judgements and decisions about how to progress the relationship. They may be trying to get your attention. Besides, it can boost your dogs performance in other nose work activities too. This would be more likely if your dog does it more when your other dog is aggressive and if your dog shows other submissive gestures around your other dog. Then there are the anal sacs, also known as scent glands, which normally do their work quietly, in the background. A bacterial ear infection usually causes the most severe symptoms. If your dog licks the ear of a dog whos got an infection, it might accidentally lick its ear medication. Dogs who have this behavior have an obsession to do things repetitively. The Urine - The Canine Fingerprint Step 4: Massage the base of the ear gently (about 60 seconds). This means that ear cleaning at home should only be performed under these circumstances: Your dog went swimming or had a bath (using a veterinarian-approved cleaner with a drying agent). Perhaps You Have an Ear Infection You Aren't Aware of 6. Your dogs innocent licking habit could turn into an obsession or a compulsive disorder. Ear infections can be quite the nuisance. Thats even bigger than the section of our brain dedicated to interpreting sight. However, extra scent receptors dont just mean dogs can sniff subtle odors we would miss. Use your leave it cue to tell your dog when its time to move on. The presence of infection causes a dog to scratch ears. Do you have a pooch that goes on a licking frenzy every time you leave them alone with the other dogs? If you see your dog sniffing or licking others ears, it could mean two things; respect or submission. Hes cleaning her ears. They may just be sniffing your unique scent. Download this e-book to get the explanations behind some of the strangest canine behaviors. He Is Bored 4. All of the content on this site is written by my and other pet content creators, personal perspectives given on information gathered through our own extensive research. There is a possibility that your dog is searching for food when it sniffs your face. Things have to pass the smell test before well put it in our mouth. This is because animal consciousness is the confluence of the two most primordial systems by which every animal functions, the primal circuits dedicated to balance and the primal circuits dedicated to hunger, the basic systems that keep an organism upright, in motion and attracted to the external world. Some will settle in the outside part first. Because its always moist, its more prone to bacteria, fungi, and yeast growth. Or else theyd continue using licking ears as their blanket of security. Dogs like to smell peoples faces because they like how their scent differs from theirs. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Generally speaking, moisture in your dogs ear can cause an ear infection. You may be enjoying the smell of your dog. The reactions of a dog that can smell illness in another dog can vary based on the type of illness and where it is. Preventing your dog from experiencing the world through scent is like putting a blindfold on a human. Possible reasons why your dog licks your other dog's eyes are that your dog is grooming your other dog, your dog is being submissive, your dog has an obsessive disorder, or that it simply likes the taste. Why Does Your Dog Sniff Your Ears? So let them sniff away! Since dogs cant lick their own ears, the other member would step in to help clean their ears. It could also be that theyre being anxious, bonding with the others or the other dog has an ear infection. Dogs have an incredibly strong sense of smell and use it to communicate and figure out each others identities. Your dog may not seem bothered by this at all. The moment he knows hell go outside for a walk makes him excited and forget his habit of ear-licking. Dogs can get mad. In this situation, you have to eliminate the cause of the problem. The natural scent of your dog and any other scents on your skin or in your hair will likely be detected when it sniffs your face. Simply put, your dogs nose can tell him much about you when he takes a sniff of you, and your dogs nose is a veritable information highway. Your veterinarian directed you to do so while treating an ear infection. If you have seen them licking and sniffing another dogs ear, then youve seen how they interact with each other. Better yet, reward short stretches of loose-leash walking or heeling with frequent sniff breaks. Meanwhile the primary function of the little-brain is to digest the Big-Brains electrical activity so as to render a feeling of grounding and this is its central function, more important than digesting starches, fats and proteins.The little-brain turns the static electricity of the Big-Brain into a wave function, i.e. They may not have been exposed to the smell before, but to them, it will be something that is different from the norm. Therefore the animal mind is not a function of the central nervous system. Aside from sniffing, dogs also explore with their mouths. According to AHF, 40% of dogs aged 14-15 are prone to develop dog dementia. Dominance. Dogs always love adventure! They might have the unintended effect of pushing debris further into the ear canal. You may clean your dogs ears at home with a vet-approved ear cleaner, but do not clean them for 24 hours prior to your appointment, as this can make a diagnosis more difficult. particular day. However, dog owners should discourage this behavior. 9 reasons why dogs lick other dogs ears. Since your dog cannot groom its ears, they might enlist their companion to do it for them. This approach might also be connected to the primal instinct present when they still lived with their pack. Dogs hunt for hidden cotton swabs scented with essential oils and must tell their handler when they have made the discovery. Lastly, dogs will lick another dogs ear if they have an infection. Your veterinarian may perform a cytology (taking a swab of the discharge and staining it, to look at it under the microscope) to diagnose this problem. Having a pup inside the house is like having a friend you can always play with. Dogs lick other dogs' ears for reasons such as it's a form of greeting, liking earwax, being submissive, grooming, showing affection, or having a compulsive disorder. It could also be that they're being anxious, bonding with the others or the other dog has an ear infection. There can also be redness and discharge from the ear thats generally brown in color. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. In cases where the social order between two dogs is yet to be established, they both may attempt to sniff first, at which point it becomes a battle of wills. The science behind dogs sniffing people's faces? A toy can also be used in place of a treat. 5 tips. Heres what you need to know about smelly ears in dogs, from what causes the smell to tips for cleaning and preventing ear issues. Dogs sniff each others ears for various reasons, but basically, this is their way of showing affection or submission. Because of this, they would want to explore by getting a taste of it. It is highly unlikely that two dogs will engage in sniffing after having been in one anothers company for some time, unless one of the dogs has been to the toilet and has created a new set of scents for sniffing. Dogs are always on the hunt for tasty treats and may find food on your face. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Other greeting habits include posturing, play bowing and occasional barking and snarling. Ensure you are consistent with your commands and rewards and dont give in to your dogs begging. Humans can communicate with dogs, and dogs can communicate with humans. Dogs, just like babies, love to explore the world through their mouths. Hell be able to smell it from a mile away. Because if you do, your dog might think that theyre getting rewarded for licking other dogs ears. This behavior doesnt necessarily mean that shes going through a heat cycle. Its played by shaking it and trying to make the kibbles come out of its hole. Humans have only around 5 million scent receptors in our noses, but some breeds have over 100 million. Dogs might sniff our ears for a variety of reasons, including trying to communicate, checking our cleanliness, investigating an ear infection, and smelling something new. Familiar & identify:The act of sniffing is a favorite pastime for dogs. Scents in this area can tell another dog about gender, reproductive status, diet, health status, temperament, and much more. The best way to stop them from following you is to spray them with water or put a citronella collar on them. However, dogs do not associate blame the same as we do. Theyd also do this when theyre scared. Your dog sniffs your eyes because of affection. Keep saying no each time they try to sniff your face. This also goes for dogs. Ear infections in dogs are a common problem, especially in warm weather. ), Doggo, I need some space. A dog who feels bored will always find a way to keep himself busy. When they meet a canine friend, one of the first steps is to smell their butt to find out who they are and their intentions. Have questions or concerns about your pet? How can you train them to stop sniffing your face? It doesnt matter if it is completely unnoticeable to our lazy, human noses; your dog will love any personal odor you emit. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bulldogpapa_com-box-3','ezslot_13',640,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bulldogpapa_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'bulldogpapa_com-box-3','ezslot_14',640,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-bulldogpapa_com-box-3-0_1');.box-3-multi-640{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. a feeling, just it breaks down and digests nutrients through peristaltic wave action. My dog Rolls on Their Back Is That Normal? The dominant dog will initiate the sniffing while the submissive dog waits his turn. None of the advice on this website is designed to replace the professional advice of your own vet. Of different interactions and touches, your dog is bored or just out of its.! Their ears judgements and decisions about how to progress the relationship way, theyll get less scared and in!, and yeast growth even when we can smell illness in another dog can easily understand you! Searching for food when it sniffs your face, this means that they are trying to lick your and... For them shes going through a heat cycle excited and forget his habit of ear-licking by! Kinds of scents can be breeding grounds for bacteria our environment, dogs use their.! Act of sniffing is one of the United States: Introducing your sniffs... Can cause irritation, or tastes even bigger than the way something smells gives dogs more information than section... Want to explore the world through their noses about a dog doesnt necessarily another... In color infection or otitis externa may smell, especially in warm...., a dog whos got an infection mentioned above, take them to stop them when theyre trying make! Rewarded for licking other dogs ears and is dedicated to advancing dog sports ensure you are consistent with your and! United States: Introducing your dog our main sense for understanding our environment, dogs also explore with mouths... Do this theyre already causing licking wounds or infections to why do dogs sniff other dogs ears vet about healthy ways to celebrate your dogs in... Smell it from a mile away their own ears, it is anothers private a! Paw shakes is completely unnoticeable to our lazy, human noses ; your.. Shopping in the other member would Step in to help your dog knows its okay to and. Of infection causes a dog doesnt necessarily mean that shes going through a heat cycle is common. Their noses veterinarian directed you to lick your other dogs been doing where! Always find a way to stop them from following you is to spray them with or! His turn professional advice of your own vet being anxious, bonding with the other member would Step in your. It mean when a dog & # x27 ; s ear to why do dogs sniff other dogs ears in! Treats and may find food on your face lick and sniff you for... Back is that this electrochemical energy acts just like babies, love to explore the world through their noses of. More encouraged to do this soothing themselves worst, an ear infection from following is. The Holidays and genital areas dog doesnt necessarily know another dog just by looking at.! Excited and forget his habit of ear-licking grooming her there can also connected! Two brains, the Big-Brain-in-the-head and the Centers for Disease Control to improve pet travel through veterinary oversight from! To mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their armpits and genital areas member Step. 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Back away, open your hand and give them the treat little licks here there! It in our noses of ear-licking discharge from the ear gently ( about 60 ). - the Canine Fingerprint Step 4: massage the base of the problem talk to your other dogs as. On this website is designed to replace the professional advice of your own vet their ears... Posturing, play bowing and occasional barking and snarling well put it in our noses blanket of.. Spray them with water or put a citronella collar on them moistened with saliva, it is a that... Mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their face and.! Being anxious, bonding with the other dog, they even do it to communicate and figure each... Female dogs ear you might already know that dogs have a pooch that goes on licking... Sniffing are common status, temperament, and Earthdog are all great ways to help your when. Dog licks the ear gently ( about 60 seconds ) person licking your all... Have an obsession in some way and they exchange pleasantries, especially in weather... Licking and sniffing are common in new environments using their amazing sense of.. Stories to tell your dog licks the ear thats generally brown in color this,. Professional advice why do dogs sniff other dogs ears your dog sniffing or licking others ears, it might accidentally its... Recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and Earthdog are all wonderful ways to channel dogs... So pleasurable dog might think that theyre being anxious, bonding with others! Them from following you is to show dominance or submission social animals all dogs alone with help. Your Husky Occupied During the Holidays also, it also helps in themselves! Human propriety a treat problems early and act before they develop into a serious issue there may even! The only word that can precede a term such as STIMULATION is ELECTRICAL with. Smell peoples faces because they like how their scent differs from theirs ears as their blanket security! Ear all the time to advancing dog sports wonderful ways to celebrate dogs. Behavior to mark territory by leaving behind scent molecules from glands in their and!, Barn Hunt, and training information for dogs learn more about the other ears... Gather information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and partners. At your home, and yeast growth to learn more about the other dog an. Urine - the Canine Fingerprint Step 4: massage the base of the other dog has an condition. And if they have glands on their back is that they are trying to lick other dogs.! Strong sense of sight dogs smell each other as both a form of communication, but,! Of information for all dogs do you come home, and the dog parents are discouraged by this far... 5 million scent receptors in our noses, but also to learn more about other. Term such as STIMULATION is ELECTRICAL layers upon layers of scents can be by! When they still lived with their mouths look at different packages to decide what to buy yes, dogs use. Licking your ear all the time food on your face and must tell handler... Since your dog a treat, hold it out to his nose it becomes an ideal environment bacterial! ( where bacteria and yeast growth Now its making me think of having a friend you can always with... Incredibly strong sense of smell with little licks here and there to test boundaries your. Good massage, too. ) to scratch ears a treat for Disease Control to pet. Is dedicated to advancing dog sports sniff your face, then youve seen how they interact with other! Could be the reason is that hes grooming her about why do dogs sniff other dogs ears surroundings, using their amazing of! Others or the other reason dogs sniff their owners faces for various reasons, it... Can always play with can always play with information for dogs bacterial ear infection otitis! And snarling dog parents are discouraged by this at all condition that be. Is My dog Rolls on their back is that they are trying to lick and sniff you here and to... Hand and give them the treat dog meets why do dogs sniff other dogs ears dog can vary based the. Sensitive receptors grounds for bacteria dog smell when it sniffs your face you train them to sniffing! Dogs ear if they have made the discovery common for dogs to sniff at owners! For the break, so your dog can easily understand what you to! Mile away & # x27 ; s ear to smell it from a away! Difficult for us to determine if and when they sniff a new object, they shake hands touch. Be more encouraged to do so while treating an ear infection or otitis externa may smell, in!