Home Training & Behavior # Dog Licking Underwear: Is He Being Creepy?! the TRUTH Revealed The Woof & Beyond Team Updated December 12, 2021 1 min read ![](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/static/5e600e35fbc2844248a62e004488a2c4/5e493/image.jpg) It may seem a little weird and creepy when your dog licks your worn underwear furiously after you inadvertently leave them within his reach. Don’t get creeped out, though. Your dog is just acting as a normal dog should. Dogs don’t care about your sex. They like licking male and female worn underwear just the same - as long as it’s their owner’s or somebody else they like. **Generally, dogs lick underwear because used underwear has a strong concentrated smell absorbed from glands present around humans’ private areas. Due to dogs’ extraordinary smelling abilities, the strong underwear smell is irresistible to them.** The more time you wear your underwear, the more time your underwear has to soak all the strong smells coming from the [pheromone-producing apocrine glands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrine_sweat_gland) present around your private areas and armpits. It’s quite common for dogs to lick and sometimes eat worn underwear, socks, or other sweaty items you wore all day. Dogs can pick up on the strong smell, and they simply love it. ## What You Can Do to Prevent It The best thing you can do to prevent your dog from licking your underwear is merely to be aware of where you leave them. The strong scent on your underwear may be more potent after sweating, peeing, having sex, or if you are menstruating or pregnant. Pay more attention during those times. Try placing your worn underwear (and other clothes) inside a hamper with a lid. _Remember, your dog is just doing dog things._ Dog Licking Dog Behaviors Previous Why Dogs Lick Each Others’ Private Areas Next Why Your Dog Licks Your Legs and Feet People also ask Dog Likes to Lick Inside Your Mouth? Here's Why Your Dog Always Licks Your Arm? Here's Why Why Does Your Dog Always Lick Your Mouth? Why Your Dog Licks Your Legs and Feet Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Pee? Do Dogs Blink? ## Other questions about training & behavior The ones people read straight after this. 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 ### [Your Dog Always Licks Your Arm? Here's Why](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-dog-lick-my-arm/) Most things about dog ownership are simply beautiful. But some things are not for the faint of heart… March 10, 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 Training & Behavior ### [Why Your Dog Licks Your Legs and Feet](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-your-dog-licks-your-legs/) You may find it annoying or icky when your dog licks your legs or feet. Fortunately, it’s relatively… January 5, 2021 1 min read 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 ### [Do Dogs Blink?](https://www.woofandbeyond.com/why-does-my-dog-lick-my-bed-and-pillow/) We find our dogs doing the strangest things sometimes, one of which is walking into the bedroom to… September 23, 2021 5 min read