Factors Associated With Sniffing Behaviors Between Walking Dogs In Public Places

Although body sniffing is the most frequent canine interaction in public places, little is known about olfactory behaviors between walking dogs. The aim of this study was to examine the association of dog, human and behavior characteristics with the number of sniffing dogs within a dyad, with the initiation and termination of sniffing, with the first and last area sniffed on the recipient's body and with the number of areas sniffed on the recipient's body in walking dogs in public places. We observed 538 dyadic encounters between sexually intact dogs, each led by one owner. We randomly selected one dog from each of 538 dyads, yielding 486 focal dogs actively involved in sniffing for analysis. Interacting dogs were more likely to engage in mutual than single dog sniffing when the owners communicated with each other than when they did not. Dogs more likely initiated sniffing than not when a male dog encountered a female than vice versa. Dogs more likely sniffed the rear than the head as the first area on the recipient's body when only one dog sniffed the other than when both dogs sniffed each other; and also when they initiated sniffing than when they did not. Dogs more likely sniffed more than one area than only one area on the recipient's body when they sniffed the head or abdomen than the rear as the first area on the recipient's body; when both dogs sniffed one another than when only one dog sniffed the other; and also when they initiated sniffing than when they did not. Dogs more likely sniffed the abdomen or rear than the head as the last area on the recipient's body, when only one dog sniffed the other than when both dogs sniffed one another; and also when they sniffed more than one area on the recipient's body than when they sniffed only one area. Dogs more likely terminated sniffing than not when an adult dog encountered a puppy than vice versa. In conclusion, dyadic sniffing behaviors between sexually intact dogs, each walking with one owner, were mainly associated with the owners' communication, the number of sniffing dogs within a dyad, the dog's sex and age and with the initiation of sniffing.