Content
Dogs are social animals that sniff each other's tails to get to know each other and socialize. However, many dogs crouch down, stick their tails between their paws and even run away when another tries to sniff them.
This may be due to socialization problems or some trauma which made the dog lack self-esteem and feel insecure with others of the same species.
If your dog doesn't let other dogs sniff it, don't despair as it's not an uncommon situation. However, it is a negative and stressful attitude that can harm your furry friend's happiness and well-being. Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article to see why your dog doesn't let himself be smelled by other dogs and what you can do about them.
causes of fear
Your puppy may not let other puppies smell you because he is afraid. To help you improve, you should try to identify the cause of the fear:
- Fear of lack of socialization: it may be that your puppy does not let other puppies sniff it because it has not been properly socialized since a puppy and is not used to contact with other animals.
- fear due to trauma: puppies that have had bad experiences with other puppies can become fearful and afraid of contact with other puppies, even if they are not aggressive, so they do not let themselves be snorted.
treat the problem
Don't be impatient if your dog doesn't let himself be smelled by other dogs, it's a self-esteem problem and can be solved with patience and a lot of affection.
You can ask a friend who has a quiet dog for help to start exercising with the two furry ones. Introduce him to the other dog little by little and go for a walk with them together to get used to your presence. When you are relaxed with the other dog or go to play with him, reward him. Little by little you will get used to it and you will start to feel confident until you let yourself be smelled.
what not to do
- Under any circumstances you can lose patience and yell at the dog or get annoyed with him if he doesn't move forward and doesn't let himself be snorted by other dogs. If fear is your problem, it will only make it worse.
- You should let it go at its own pace, never make him socialize with other puppies if you don't feel safe, nor should you push it to sniff it.
- Your furry can feel forced if there are too many puppies around you trying to sniff it, so it's better not to take him to dog parks at times when there are more puppies, otherwise you can suffer from anxiety and the problem becomes worse.
- When your dog gets scared and sticks its tail between its paws when another will sniff it, don't pet it or pet it, although he asks for it. This will only reinforce your attitude and fear as it will associate that you are rewarding that behavior.
Request help from a professional
If the situation doesn't improve and your dog doesn't let himself be sniffed by other dogs, even trying to socialize with other trustworthy dogs, you may need the help of an ethologist. One professional it will be able to determine the cause of the problem and help you to overcome your fear.
In addition, a canine educator or ethologist will not only help the dog, but also give him the tips needed to keep working in reinforcing the animal's self-esteem. In this way, you'll get your puppy to live a happy, balanced and relaxed life.
