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  1. #1
    House Broken
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    2 things I notice about dogs/Labs -- any others with the same things?

    When I take Zach out for a walk in our present neighborhood, he's on a leash much of the time (until we get to the area where I throw his bumper for him to retrieve) and on our every morning & evening walks, frequently we meet other dogs on a leash being walked by their owners. When our dogs meet, they always immediately smell each other's butt then crotch (or vice-versa).

    I. My strong suspicion is that since dogs don't have much language or ability to write things down, or wear name tags the other dog can read,
    that this is their equivalent way of getting that other dogs first name and last name. I'm sure since this seems so universal that your dogs must do it, too. Anyone else agree on this first name/last name simile? (I recall Bess and Puff showed similar behaviors but we weren't in a situation where they were leashed and meeting that many other dogs. In our present location, we might meet 6 or more dogs throughout one walk.)

    II. When I leave Zach at home (to attend meetings, etc.) and come back, almost always I find him on my bed with his head up by my pillow where my head would usually be. (Zach usually sleeps with me when I go to bed but his position is usually no higher than midway up -- either to be near where my feet or stomach would be.) So when he's there alone, he has his head near where my head would be. I think it's sort of like my second in command taking over while I'm absent. Anyone else experience similar behaviors?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog
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    My dogs like resting their heads on things when they sleep...I'm guessing Zach uses your pillow like that purely because it isn't already occupied by your own head.

    I never really thought about first/last name discoveries when sniffing. I think dogs just like checking out good smells and the smells are different at different places on the body. Most of the sniffing I witness is purely back end. Sunnie doesn't sniff other dogs all that much and only the back end when she does. She, on the other hand, is the recipient of a lot of attention back there...doesn't mind at all...but I never considered exactly what area was being sniffed at any given moment. Dan doesn't want dogs coming up to him so his privates are off-limits. I don't remember much about the sniffing activities of previous dogs except Hershey...as a recipient...and only in the instance of one particular dog. He had a Rhodesian Ridgeback friend starting when that dog was a puppy. I used to think he looked up to Hersh as a role model and wanted to get all the information he could. He spent all his time "underneath"....like a car mechanic under a car up on a lift...it was funny. As he grew older, Hersh would actually be elevated by this to-be very tall dog. Hersh didn't care.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Actually as far as the sniffing of the groin area there are a lot of scent glands there in dog and humans as well. Which is why some dogs smell human crotches as well. Apocrine glands are all over the body but are highly concentrated in the groin and anus area. The excrete pheromones that yes do pretty much identify you. However they also can tell other information about you. While we don't know for certain it has been suggested by studying this that some of the pherimones can change depending on diet and so on. So really do a dog coming up and taking a good sniff in that area. They can also spread these pheromones when lifting legs and marking territory and so on. Oh Hey your a female dog and I so you have been active today and I seen your eating Fromm Surf and turf, I detect a slight hint of milk bone as well maybe for breakfast.

    As far as the bed, again he is probably buried in your scent to make him feel comfort. Dogs live and love for the scent. The nose never stops going and collecting information much the way we seen. We don't sit there and think about seeing things. Sometimes we focus in and watch very carefully however scent is very powerful. Also these Apocrine glands are located in the ears and eyelids. So aside from your groin area, your pillow is going to smell a lot like you. Also dogs do like to have their head on things for some reason. So it makes sense they put their nose where your most powerful scent is left.

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    Scoutpout (04-14-2017)

  5. #4
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
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    Jeff, you are amazing, thank you for the information!!!! You are one smart dude! And of course Hemi is too, plus he's good looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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    Mike and Gabe--GOTCHA 7/25/2011

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Blackboy98 For This Useful Post:

    Jeff (04-14-2017)

  7. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Totally agree with Jeff. There is so much information dogs get from sniffing other dogs. Their sex, in heat, as well as state of health.
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