Here Are Answers and Insights to Many of Those Canine-related Questions
If you’re a dog lover like me, you wish your pup could talk — even for just a few minutes — so you could find out what they’re really thinking. Since we can’t, I’ve gathered answers to some of the burning questions my fellow dog lovers and I wonder about.
Why Do Dogs Smell Butts?
It might seem gross to us, but to dogs, the rear end is like a highly detailed ID badge. According to the American Kennel Club, when one dog sniffs another’s butt, it’s sending a message: “Who are you? What have you eaten? Are you healthy? Are you friend or foe?”
Here’s what’s happening: dogs have anal glands near their rectum that excrete a distinctive scent. That scent conveys information. Dogs also possess a vomeronasal organ (Jacobson’s organ) that helps detect pheromones and subtle chemical signals.
So next time your dog stares at another dog’s butt, remember it’s not odd — it’s a way of communicating.
Tip: If your dog does this with humans (e.g., sniffing a person’s rear), it’s best to gently redirect them. It’s natural, but not always safe or polite around people.
Why Do Dogs Scratch or Kick the Ground After Potty?
Anyone who walks a dog has seen the “kick dance” after a pee or poop. It’s not random — it’s purposeful. After eliminating, dogs often scratch or kick at the grass or ground.
There are two main theories:
- The olfactory mark: Dogs spread scent from glands in their paw pads when they scratch, adding to the chemical message of their urine or feces.
- The visual mark: The scratch marks act as a signal to other dogs — “I was here.”
Training note: When you’re in public and the kicking gets excessive or in someone’s yard, you can redirect your dog to a less problematic spot. But overall, this behavior is natural and harmless.
I’ve been seeing this question come up on my social media feeds lately, so I thought I’d find the answer. And that is…it depends. Some dogs do enjoy them; others feel constrained or stressed. The key is watching body language. Signs the dog is comfortable include wagging tail (in normal dog-mode, not wildly), relaxed body, head up, and leaning into you. Signs they’re uncomfortable include a stiff body, turning their head away, licking lips, and the whites of their eyes showing. Always follow the dog’s lead.
Do Dogs Like Their Heads Scratched? Their Butts?
Head scratched: Generally, yes — most dogs enjoy gentle head scratches behind the ears, under the chin, and around the cheeks. It often feels good because these areas have nerve endings, and dogs associate touch with calm and safety (just like us humans).
Butt scratched: This is trickier. Some dogs do enjoy a good scratch at the base of the tail, including Paige Turner and Seven. Since the rear end is sensitive (anal glands, tail base), you need to be sure the dog actually wants it (leans away from you if you try and they’re uncomfortable). If your dog scoots or over-licks their rear end, it might be a health concern (anal glands) rather than a preference for touch.
How Do I Know If My Dog Wants Physical Contact?
Here are some good cues:
- Does your dog seek your hand or lean into your head when you reach out?
- Is the dog’s body relaxed, tail wagging gently (if that’s their usual), eyes soft?
- Does the dog relax after being touched, or does it stiffen, turn away, or lick its lips?
If the dog turns away, yawns, or moves away, that means not now. Respecting that is part of building reciprocity and respect.
Why Is This Important for Our Relationship with Dogs?
Understanding behaviors like butt-sniffing, kicking, and enjoying a head scratch helps us meet dogs where they are. Instead of viewing everything through a human lens, we tune into their world. That makes us better companions.
Dogs can’t speak to us in words, but their actions are full of meaning. Next time you see your dog sniff a friend’s behind, scratch the ground after going potty, or lean into a head scratch — remember: they’re sharing a story. And if you listen, you’ll understand more than just why they do it—you’ll understand who they are.
🐾 Do you have any other questions? I’d be honored to find the answers for you. Just you’re your questions below. And, If you’d like to explore more dog-centric stories — about love, learning, and the human–animal bond — follow my Substack, BlissDog.