Home Training & Behavior # Why Dogs Lick Each Others’ Private Areas The Woof & Beyond Team Updated January 4, 2021 1 min read Not veterinary advice ![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/f656b68a2afae3d8fc8476823094351d/5e493/image.jpg) Licking each others’ private areas is actually a normal dog behavior. Dogs use their noses and mouths to interact with everything. Assuming your dog is well-socialized and healthy, licking the other dog’s private areas is normal. It’s a dog’s way of **getting acquainted** with the other, to show him some **friendly affection,** or simply due to **curiosity**. _It has nothing to do with being a male or a female - it’s not sexual in any way._ Dogs are drawn to those areas because they contain a high amount of pheromone-producing [apocrine glands](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-love-sniffing-human-crotches/). Those give the dog a unique smell (and taste), which other dogs may find interesting. These pheromones give away many pieces of information about the other dog, such as age, sex, mood, and sexual readiness. The unique scent can also help a dog recognize and remember another dog he met in the past. Usually, dogs that are uncomfortable with the behavior will stop it themselves. Unless the behavior becomes obsessive, there is no reason to do anything about it. ## When It Becomes Obsessive While it’s normal if done briefly, obsessive licking may indicate that something is off. Sometimes a dog will lick another’s private areas because of some health-related issue around the licked dog’s private areas. The licked dog could be trying to clean an injury, infection, or some leftover urine in that area. _It may be worth having a vet check out the licked dog in that case._ Apart from medical issues, a lack of proper socialization could also be the reason. The dog obsessively licking may simply not know any other socially acceptable way to get acquainted with the other dog. ## How to Reduce the Behavior Typically, you want to let your dog just be a dog. Preventing your dog from engaging in usual dog behaviors, like the licking behavior, may cause behavioral issues in the future. If the behavior is obsessive or the two dogs don’t seem at ease while the licking is happening, you can interrupt the behavior. Let your dog lick (or get licked), and if the behavior doesn’t stop within a few seconds, [call your dog back to you](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/reliable-recall-train-dogs-to-come-when-called/) and redirect his attention elsewhere. Over time your dog will learn that doing this for too long is not acceptable. Neutering/spaying your dog may also reduce this behavior. This is not a substitute for advice from a vet who can examine your dog. Dog Licking Dog Behaviors Previous How Many Cups Are in a Pound of Dog Food? Next Dog Licking Underwear: Is He Being Creepy?! the TRUTH Revealed People also ask Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Pee? Why Do Dogs Lick Pee? Why Do Dogs Lick Cats? Why Do Dogs Lick Ears? Dog Likes to Lick Inside Your Mouth? Here's Why Why Does Your Dog Always Lick Your Mouth? ## Other questions about training & behavior The ones people read straight after this. Training & Behavior ### [Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Pee?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-dog-lick-other-dogs-pee/) There’s nothing your pup could ever do to make you love them less. But you have to admit, some of… March 23, 2022 5 min read Training & Behavior ### [Why Do Dogs Lick Pee?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-do-dogs-lick-pee/) Dogs possess some social behaviors that make them great to have around. Unfortunately, they also… July 19, 2021 4 min read Training & Behavior ### [Why Do Dogs Lick Cats?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-do-dogs-lick-cats/) You may be puzzled by the fact that your dog has just licked a cat. Aren’t they supposed to be… June 23, 2021 5 min read Training & Behavior ### [Why Do Dogs Lick Ears?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-do-dogs-lick-ears/) You’re having a fun play-time on the floor with your dog. You roll over, and he jumps on top of you… June 18, 2021 5 min read Training & Behavior ### [Dog Likes to Lick Inside Your Mouth? Here's Why](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-dog-like-to-lick-inside-my-mouth/) You’ve just arrived home after a long day of work. You set your briefcase on the table and… March 14, 2022 5 min read Training & Behavior ### [Why Does Your Dog Always Lick Your Mouth?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-dog-lick-my-mouth/) Perhaps nothing says love as simply and directly as a kiss. One little action can speak thousands of… November 8, 2021 5 min read