Dogs move through life following invisible trails we can’t see. Where we rely on eye contact and handshakes, they rely on scent—and the groin happens to be one of the strongest sources of pheromones on the human body. That quick, determined sniff can tell them whether someone is stressed, relaxed, hormonal, familiar, or entirely new. It’s not a breach of etiquette in their mind; it’s their version of reading a detailed name tag in a crowded room.
Still, you’re allowed to feel uncomfortable and set limits. Teaching a solid “sit,” “watch me,” or “place” near the door gives your dog a new script for greetings. Rewarding them for choosing focus and distance over sniffing slowly reshapes the ritual. In time, that mortifying lunge becomes a calm approach and a friendly tail wag—a compromise where their instincts are respected and everyone’s dignity stays intact.
