As a pet owner, part of your responsibility is feeding, caring for, and understanding your animal. Knowing why your pet behaves a certain way is an important part of communication and building a strong bond

One behavior that often surprises new dog owners is when dogs sniff private areas. While it may feel awkward, this behavior is a natural and instinctive way dogs gather information.

According to Master Bowie, dogs sniff to “gather information and say hello.” Humans have sweat glands, called apocrine glands, that release pheromones conveying details like age, sex, mood, and health. These glands are concentrated in the armpits and genitals. Since dogs can’t reach armpits easily, they investigate the crotch instead.