Why Do I Like The Way My Dog Smells?

It is no secret that dogs love to smell people and that their incredible sense of smell can be used to find out so much about us, but what if the shoe was on the other foot? If you are one of those people that likes to smell your dog, it seems that you are not alone. More and more people are admitting to enjoying the smell of their dog, and it seems to be more common than you might think. 

If you are the type of person that enjoys the way that your dog smells, then you are among many others who think the same way. Well, it turns out that there is actually some science behind some of this, and there are lots of different things that could be the reason why you like the way your dog smells. This might sound really strange to those that haven’t experienced this feeling, but there are people out there that have. We are going to explain all of the reasons that could lead to you like the smell of your dog in this article so that you can gain a better understanding of what is happening. 

Why Do I Like the Way My Dog Smells?

While there probably aren’t many people that would enjoy the smell of a dirty dog, a clean and healthy pooch is probably what people are referring to when they admit that they like the smell of their dog. A big reason why this could be happening is that you are familiar with the smell, and this familiarity is providing you with a sense of comfort. Though there are probably many people that will say it is completely different, this is the same reason why many people love that newborn baby smell. The sort of emotions and thoughts that we associate with this feeling of calm and familiarity can bring us comfort, which is probably why you like to smell your dog. 

For those that still aren’t convinced, science actually shows that our sense of smell is one of the strongest senses that is attributed to our memories. Have you ever smelled something that pulled up a memory out of nowhere? Well, this is essentially the same thing. Those fond memories that you share with your dog are likely to resurface when you inhale their scent, which will make you appreciate their smell more. So if you find yourself inhaling a lungful of your dog’s scent when nobody is watching, you are not entirely crazy. There are so many people that are coming forward to say that they are guilty of smelling their dog when nobody is around, and this is simply due to the association of their smell with your inner thoughts and feelings. 

Why Do I Like the Smell of My Dog’s Paws?

There are a lot of people that have been left wondering why they like the smell of their dog’s paws, and you are definitely not the only person on the planet to have this thought. The actual reasoning behind this is that your dog has a very specific odour, and you can pick up on it. 

Dogs do not sweat like us humans do, and one of the main places that they are able to perspire from is their paw pads. This is why this area, in particular, has such a strong smell, which is what you are picking up on. This area has merocrine sweat glands, and though your dog has other glands around their body, they are not ones that are responsible for cooling. 

Why Does My Dog’s Head Smell So Good?

We have talked about the sweat glands in dogs paws, but there are also other glands called apocrine glands, and these are the glands that are responsible for producing pheromones. While, unlike dogs, we cannot actually pick up on their pheromones, the oils that your dog will produce on their coat will produce a smell, and that is what you will be able to smell when you are sniffing at your dog. This smell is associated with our memories, as we have previously mentioned, which is probably the reason why you enjoy smelling your dog so much. 

Why Does My Dog Smell Good When They Sleep?

The likelihood is that your dog has a strong scent all of the time, but the reason that you can pick on it when they are asleep is probably that they are in closer proximity to you. It could also be due to the fact that during the day there are lots more smells in and around your home that could be masking the scent that is produced by your dog. It can become more difficult to distinguish between different smells when you are going around your house, but when all is calm and your dog is sleeping beside you, this is when you are picking up on the smell. Their smell is also known to be more potent in warmer weather than it is in colder weather, so you might notice it more in the summertime. 

Is Smelling My Dog Good for Creating a Bond?

You smelling your dog is not the same interaction as when dogs are smelling each other, and the process is not the same, but there is more to answering this question than this. Dogs actually secrete pheromones from at least six different places around their bodies. Some of the places from which they secrete these pheromones can include their ears and faces, which is why you might have heard about people sniffing their dog’s ears. Among groups of dogs, these pheromones that are released can trigger social cohesion, more specifically, with puppies. 

There is no solid proof that presents this as fact, but there is some speculation that when you smell your dog’s head and ears, you could be picking up on the pheromones that are designed to make other dogs create a bond with them. So, theoretically, if this were found to be true, you could create and strengthen a bond with your dog this way. But don’t forget, there is no concrete evidence to suggest this.