Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs Privates?

Dogs forms of communication are different to humans, which is naturally because they can’t talk like we can. This means they will lick each other in various places, including their private parts. Confused why they do this? Here’s why.

Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs Privates?

There are many reasons why dogs will lick each other’s private parts. This could be something as simple as saying hello to one another or showing an interest in each other. However, it could be the sign of something more serious, such as health issues.

Most Common Reasons Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs Privates?

 

Just Saying Hello

Whenever two dogs meet one another, they want to say hello and licking each others’ genitals is how they do this. It’s a form of greeting they have and is used to get to know one another.

Curiousity  Learn About Another Dog

Dogs have a very heightened sense of smell and the best way for them to learn about other animals or humans is to smell them. This may mean smelling other dogs’ private parts, but that’s so they can smell their pheromones to learn more about the other dog.

 

Health Issues

Your dog will be able to tell a lot about other dogs by licking their genitals. One of these things is their overall health.

Whilst your dog might not be able to tell the exact underlying issue in another dog (if there is one), they will be able to tell if they’re completely healthy or a bit under the weather.

 

Grooming

Dogs love to touch one another, regardless of whether they know each other or not, and part of this touching means grooming one another.

Dogs will quite often groom themselves but, just like we have, they have hard-to-reach areas of their body, so might groom each other for this reason or just to show a bit of affection for one another.

 

Habit

Dogs will habitually lick themselves clean and this habit may crossover to another dog. If they are familiar with this other dog, this is just them acting on instinct. However, if the dog is new to them, they will be trying to learn something new about them.

 

Dog Is Spayed Or Neutered

Many dog owners might believe that their dog licking another dogs’ private parts will be down to them not being spayed or neutered. However, this isn’t the case. Regardless of whether a dog is spayed or neutered or not, both dogs will still lick each others’ private parts.

To Show Respect

Dogs tend to be quite submissive, particularly due to their pack behaviour and having a leader of the pack, so will often submit to them. If they come across another dog or live with a dog who they see as the leader, they might lick their genitals to show respect to the other dog.

 

Hygiene Issues

Dogs love to take care of their hygiene, as well as the hygiene of other dogs. This is more likely to be the reason if the two dogs already know one another, such as if they live together. It is another sign of care and affection and isn’t necessarily a negative behaviour.

 

Dog Is Attracted By Either The Scent Or Taste (Or Both)

As previously mentioned, dogs have strong senses and if they are attracted to another dog by their scent or taste, then this will cause the licking because they are wanting to investigate what is causing this smell/taste.

 

How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Other Dogs Privates?

Call your dog to come to you. Whilst them licking other dogs’ private parts isn’t particularly bad, if it goes on for more than around ten seconds, put a stop to it by calling your dog back over to you.

1. Tell them “enough” or “no” firmly. This will show your dog that this behaviour is not okay and if done often enough, they should stop exhibiting this behaviour entirely.
2. Distract with either a treat or a toy so that they stop licking the other dogs’ genitals and come back to you. But do so in a way that they know you’re not rewarding them for licking, but are rewarding them for coming away.
3. Pull them away from the other dog. Sometimes, dogs won’t respond to calls for them to move away, so your only other option might be to physically pull them away from the other dog.
4. Make sure you are stimulating them enough. If your dog is bored, they will do anything to try and relieve the boredom, which includes licking other dogs. Give them plenty of play time and exercise and they should stop doing this.

 

How Common Is It To For Dogs To Lick Each Other’s Private Parts?

Dogs licking each others’ private parts is a completely normal behaviour for dogs and unless they are doing this excessively, it shouldn’t be anything for you to worry to much about.

Why Is My Male Dog Licking My Female Dog’s Privates?

Dogs cannot communicate with words, so often do so through touch. If a male dog is doing this to a female dog, it will be to investigate, to be affectionate or playful, or they are conceding their place in terms of hierarchy.

 

This may also be a sign of mating behaviour, but it’s not always the case. A part of this would involve checking they are able to reproduce, which also involves the male licking the female’s genitalia. However, if this is persistent, it could be a sign of aggression.

 

Why Is My Male Dog Licking My Other Male Dog’s Privates?

Dogs can’t recognise gender, but the main reason behind two male dogs licking each others’ private parts is more than likely due to wanting to learn more about each other, which dogs do through their senses.

 

Many people think that male dogs only lick female dogs genitals and do this in a sexual way, and whilst this may occasionally be the case, it more often than not isn’t.

 

Why Do Female Dogs Lick Other Female Dogs’ Privates?

Just like two male dogs licking each others genitals, two female dogs can also lick each others genitals. This will be to learn more about one another, to figure out what their mood is, and to see what their health is like.

 

However, this is only likely to happen if the two dogs are from the same litter, or if they are adult dogs who know each other quite well. Having said this, if this licking becomes quite excessive, this is likely due to aggression and needs to be stopped.

 

Why Do Female Dogs Lick Other Male Dogs’ Privates?

This can be due to a number of different reasons. Some may associate this with mating and whilst this can be true, there can also be other reasons behind it. It may simply be to greet them or to try and learn more about them.

 

However, if it is excessive, this may be a sign of dominance and needs to be stopped.

 

Why Is My Older Dog Licking Puppy’s Privates?

An older dog licking a puppy’s privates will often be for the same reasons as already mentioned. This includes saying hello, learning more about the other dog, wanting to check for wounds, and checking their hygiene.

 

Why Is My Dog Obsessively Licking Other Dogs?

This can be for a variety of different reasons, such as it being habitual, wanting to say hello, or wanting to learn more about them.

Whilst if they do this a little bit is completely normal, doing this an excessive amount should be a cause for concern and needs to be stopped because the other dog could become aggressive.

 

What To Do With A Dog That Licks Other Dogs Too Much?

You need to remove them from the situation as soon as possible and try and make it clear to them that this behaviour isn’t acceptable.

Try and get them to come to you or try and distract them so they don’t spend as long licking the other dogs’ genitals, particularly if you can sense that dog is starting to become a bit agitated.

 

How Far Is This Licking Behavior Tolerated By Other Dogs?

Licking only seems to be tolerated for a moment or two before the other dog will let them know that they’ve had enough. Dogs don’t tend to shy away from telling other dogs how they feel and this also helps teach younger dogs what their limits are.

 

Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs In General (And What Does It Mean?)?

There are so many different reasons why a dog might lick another dog. This is more than likely just a greeting to say hello and to get to know one another, but might also be to check for other things, like health issues, gender, and their status within a pack.

How Does The Anatomy And Physiology Of Dogs’ Tongues And Genitalia Contribute To Licking?

Dogs tongues have a number of tastebuds and are one of their more heightened senses.

 

Plus, given that when out on dog walks dogs will often sniff where a dog has peed or pooped to learn more about them, licking their genitalia seems like the best option to learn a lot of things about other dogs.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Others Face?

More often than not, the main reason behind dogs licking each others’ faces is to show their love and affection for one another. This releases endorphins and makes both dogs more relaxed with one another.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Others Ears?

If your dog is licking another dogs ears, particularly if they know that dog, this is more than likely a sign of affection for them. However, another reason is because they are intrigued by the smell of the other dogs’ ear wax and want to lick it to see what it is.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Others Teeth

This is a completely normal behaviour and is a form of communication that can either show friendliness, intimacy, playtime, shows they’re sorry about something, submission, hunger, or just to be used for a bit of bonding time.

Licking Another Dog’s Mouth?

When dogs are puppies they tend to lick their mothers mouths when they are in the weaning stage as a sign that they want food. This is more than likely an extension from that, and is also a sign for them apologising for something.

 

If this only happens a little bit, then it’s fine, but if it becomes obsessive, this is more likely to happen in dogs who haven’t been properly socialised and do this because they don’t know how to approach other dogs.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Other’s Eyes?

For more or less the same reasons as already mentioned, dogs will lick each others’ eyes as a form of communication, to show things such as showing signs of affection, wanting to groom one another, or even showing submission.

 

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Other After Drinking Water Or Eating?

This is more than likely to groom each other. After dogs have eaten or had a drink, the fur around their mouths in particular can get in a bit of a mess, so they do this to clean each other up again.

Why Do Male Dogs Lick Other Male Dogs Pee?

Whilst this may seem quite grim to you, male dogs will lick another dogs’ pee because they are interested in the sex life of the other dog, so lick their pee to lear more about this.

Why Do Dogs Lick Each Other After Fighting?

The most likely reason is to make up with one another. Unlike humans, dogs can’t communicate the fact that they’re sorry, so will lick one another as a way of showing they’re sorry instead.

 

Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs Wounds

Dogs tongues are a natural antiseptic, so if they notice that another dog has a wound, they will start licking at that area in order to clean it.

 

However, it is important to note that this isn’t the only reason for your dog licking another dogs’ genitals and it could be due to an underying issue if the licking seems a bit excessive.

Dog licking is a natural behavior with a variety of purposes, but excessive or persistent licking may be a sign of underlying issues.

 

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6776987/