Why Do Dogs Sniff Where Other Dogs Have Peed?

If you’ve ever found yourself waiting on a footpath or in a muddy park while your dog investigates a patch of grass like it holds the answer to life itself, you’re not alone. One of the most frequent questions we hear is, “Why does my dog sniff where other dogs have peed?” It can feel embarrassing, confusing, and, on wet days, downright inconvenient. But here’s the thing. For dogs, this behaviour isn’t strange. It’s completely normal. In fact, it’s part of how they make sense of the world around them.

This post isn’t about complicated science or lofty theories. It’s for the everyday dog owner who wants to understand their dog a bit better. We'll explain what’s happening when your dog seems fixated on a particular patch of pavement, why it matters to them, and how you can handle it without feeling frustrated. No fuss, just straight talk and practical advice.

The Nose Knows: How Dogs Experience the World

First, it helps to know that a dog’s sense of smell is their primary way of taking in information. While we might look around, they sniff. Their noses are wildly more sensitive than ours, with some estimates putting them at tens of thousands of times better than the human nose. They’re built to detect the finest scents in the environment, and for them, smells carry meaning.

When your dog sniffs where another dog has peed, they’re not just checking out a mess. They’re reading a message. Think of it like scrolling through a social media feed. Who’s been here? Are they male or female? Old or young? Friendly or nervous? Healthy or not? All of that, and more, is right there in a few droplets of urine. For a dog, that sniff can be as informative as a full-blown conversation.

Scent as Communication

Dogs live in a world of scent-based communication. Pee is just one part of a broader network of signals that dogs use to send and receive information. Scent glands are found in their paws, around their ears, and even near their bottoms. But when it comes to social updates, urine is a go-to.

This isn’t something dogs learn. It’s hardwired into their behaviour. When they sniff where other dogs have peed, they’re taking part in a ritual that goes back thousands of years. It’s territorial, social, and sometimes even emotional. It's not about being dirty or defiant. It's about understanding who else shares the space.

If you have multiple dogs at home, you may have noticed that they often pee where the other has just gone. It’s not about copying each other for fun. It's their way of marking, responding, or simply acknowledging, “I see you were here.”

Is It a Problem?

Short answer: usually, no. Most of the time, this is entirely natural and nothing to worry about. However, there are situations where it’s worth paying a bit more attention. If your dog becomes obsessed with sniffing every single pee spot and struggles to walk more than a few steps without stopping, it might be worth considering if there’s something else going on.

This could be linked to anxiety, boredom, or even a medical issue such as a urinary tract infection or inflammation. If sniffing suddenly becomes excessive and is combined with other changes like frequent urination or discomfort, a vet check is a sensible next step.

That said, for most dogs, this behaviour falls squarely under the umbrella of “normal canine curiosity”.

Let Them Sniff (Within Reason)

We get it. You're out on a walk, maybe you’ve got somewhere to be, and your dog has decided that a patch of lamp-post is the most interesting thing in the world. It can be frustrating, especially in cold or wet weather. But here’s a gentle reminder: sniffing is part of the walk for your dog. It’s not a distraction from it.

A good walk, from a dog’s perspective, includes time to stop and gather scent information. It engages their brain, reduces stress, and helps them feel more settled. If walks are always rushed and there's no time to sniff, dogs can become more wound up, not less.

The trick is balance. You don’t have to let your dog sniff every lamppost in town. But offering some sniffing time on each walk can go a long way in helping them feel content. You might set boundaries, like “sniff time” in a particular section of the route, or allow a few stops per walk. It doesn’t need to be all or nothing.

Puppies and Adolescent Dogs

You might notice this behaviour kicking in strongly during puppyhood or adolescence. Just like human teenagers, dogs go through a developmental stage where everything feels heightened. They’re learning about the world and how they fit into it.

During these months, sniffing is not only about information gathering. It’s about learning the rules of social interaction in the dog world. It's also worth noting that hormonal changes can drive stronger sniffing urges, especially in intact dogs. Neutering may reduce this to some degree, but it won’t eliminate it entirely. After all, sniffing is more than just hormones.

Should I Be Worried About Hygiene?

We hear this one often, and it’s a fair concern. The idea of your dog sticking their nose into what’s essentially another dog’s waste can feel off-putting. But in practice, it’s unlikely to pose much of a health risk. Dogs are generally robust creatures, and the risk of illness from sniffing pee is very low.

That said, if you’re walking in an area known for high dog traffic and poor cleaning standards, or if your dog has a compromised immune system, it makes sense to be cautious. Keep their vaccinations up to date, and wash their paws if needed after a particularly mucky walk.

Managing the Behaviour (Without Making a Fuss)

If you’re keen to reduce how much your dog sniffs on walks, there are gentle ways to guide the behaviour. One approach is to teach a “leave it” or “let’s go” cue. These commands can help redirect your dog’s focus when needed without making them feel like they’re doing something wrong.

Another useful strategy is to build in specific “sniff breaks” during the walk. That way, your dog knows when it's time to move and when it's fine to stop and investigate. It adds structure without being rigid.

Avoid yanking the lead or getting frustrated. That only adds tension and confusion. The aim is to guide, not punish. Your dog isn’t being stubborn or rude. They’re just being a dog.

What About Dogs Who Pee Over Other Dogs’ Spots?

This is a common follow-up question. Dogs who pee over another dog's mark aren’t being disrespectful. They’re joining in. Think of it as signing a guestbook rather than starting a turf war. For some dogs, it’s a confidence move. For others, it’s just routine. It doesn’t necessarily indicate dominance, despite popular belief. It’s more nuanced than that.

Dogs who don’t pee over another dog’s spot aren’t missing out. They may just have a different style of communication. Just like people, dogs vary in how chatty or private they are.

A Final Word on Respecting Your Dog’s Way of Seeing the World

It’s easy to forget, especially when life is busy, that our dogs experience the world very differently to us. What feels slow or strange to us might be deeply meaningful to them. Allowing space for their instincts, when safe and appropriate, is one of the simplest ways we can show them respect.

So the next time your dog stops to sniff that post, you’ll know what they’re doing. They’re checking their version of the news, reading the room, and figuring out where they stand. It’s not dirty. It’s not weird. It’s just how they work.

And if nothing else, it’s a great excuse to slow down, take a breath, and let your dog just be a dog for a minute or two.

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