When a dog pushes his bum into another dog, it’s usually a friendly, non-threatening greeting: by turning his rear (and away from his teeth), he’s showing he means no harm and inviting the other dog to sniff and get to know him. It can also be part of play, a “hip check” from herding breeds, or simply clumsiness. It’s only a concern if the other dog clearly doesn’t like it.
Let’s take a closer look at the possible reasons, and when you should step in.
What is My Dog Trying to Communicate?
For dogs, offering their behind is often a sign of comfort and good social skills. Dogs that do this tend to be relaxed and socially experienced.
It’s a common greeting behavior, and it’s considered an appeasing or polite gesture, since the dog is turning its face (and teeth) away and offering the other dog a chance to sniff the scent glands under its tail. They’re essentially telling the other dog that they aren’t dangerous. Some dogs also bump their hips into a playmate during play, as an invitation to keep the game going.
It’s also worth noting that some dogs may do this as part of their natural herding instincts. Dogs like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies are bred to move livestock with their bodies, so body-blocking and bumping other dogs (or even people) with their hips can be part of how they play and try to control movement. This is usually harmless, but some dogs find it rude, so watch how the other dog responds.
Common Questions About Nudging
Not everything is one-size-fits-all. If nudging is concerning you, here are some answers to common questions that you might have.
1Is nudging dangerous?
In short, no. If your dog is well-socialized and knows how to properly greet other dogs, then there’s no cause for worry. However, if you’re concerned that your dog may be too rough when they nudge, it’s important to keep a close eye on them and intervene if necessary. If size is a factor, see do big dogs know to be gentle with small dogs.
What should I do if one of my dogs is reacting aggressively to nudging?
If you have a dog that’s unexpectedly aggressive when another dog nudges them, it’s important to seek professional help. A behaviorist or certified trainer can assess the situation and help you come up with a plan to address the problem.
What if I don’t want my dog to nudge other dogs?
If you don’t think that nudging is appropriate behavior or is becoming dangerous for your dog, there are a few things that you can do to discourage it or change the result of it.
- First, make sure that your dog is well-socialized so that they understand how to properly greet other dogs. If they’re not used to being around other dogs, then they may be more likely to escalate the interaction out of fear or excitement.
- Secondly, you can teach your dog an alternate behavior such as “sit” or “shake.” Or, you can train them not to do the behavior altogether. If they offer the alternate behavior instead of nudging, then you can reinforce that with treats or praise.
- Finally, if all else fails, you can try leashing your dog around other dogs to prevent them from doing this behavior.
However, it’s important to remember that nudging is a natural and safe behavior the vast majority of the time. It would be better to let them nudge as long as they can do so safely and comfortably with other dogs.
2Will my dog ever stop nudging?
Nudging is a natural behavior for dogs, so it’s unlikely that they’ll ever completely stop doing it. However, with proper socialization and training, you can discourage the behavior if you don’t want your dog to do it.
3Is it safe for my dog to nudge other dogs they just met?
If you’re worried that your dog may be too rough when they nudge, it’s important to keep a close eye on them and intervene if necessary. If one of your dogs is reacting aggressively to nudging, it’s best to separate them and provide a calm, quiet environment for both dogs to cool down.
4My dog pushes his bum into the face of other dogs, is that safe?
Though we as humans might see this as a very socially awkward situation, that’s not the case for dogs. They likely see this as a way to let the other dog get accustomed to their smell, or they just don’t realize they are pushing their bum into the face of the other dog. Much of that scent comes from the anal glands, which we cover in dog anal gland problems. Note that this is different from a dog dragging or scooting his bottom along the floor, which is often a sign of full or irritated anal glands and worth mentioning to your vet.
This is likely just natural nudging that looks strange to us because of the circumstances. And if you have ever wondered about the patterns in the fur back there, we explain why dogs have swirls on their bum.
5Do dogs nudge humans?
Yes, dogs often nudge humans, with their nose, paws, or rear end. Whether it means anything depends on what follows the nudge. Most of the time, dogs nudge people to ask for something: attention, a scratch, food, or a walk.
Why does my dog push their behind into me?
Dogs may nudge humans for a variety of reasons. Most often they’re asking for a scratch in a hard-to-reach spot just above the tail, and turning their back to you is also a sign of trust. It could also be that they want your attention or they’re trying to get you to move.
Older ideas that dogs do this to “dominate” their owners aren’t supported by modern behavior science. If the behavior is pushy or comes with growling or stiffness, though, it’s worth talking to a qualified trainer or behaviorist.
Wrapping Up
Pushing his bum into other dogs is a perfectly natural, usually friendly behavior, but it’s not always welcome. Watch how the other dog reacts, step in if they’re uncomfortable, and if you’re concerned about your dog’s nudging behavior, seek help from a qualified trainer so that you can address it in the best way possible.
