Why do boy dogs lick girl dogs private parts?

There are several reasons why male dogs may lick the genital area of female dogs. This behavior is natural and instinctual for dogs. The main reasons boy dogs lick girl dogs’ private parts are:

To gather information – Dogs can gather a lot of information from the scent and taste of urine and genital secretions. Boy dogs can detect when a female dog is in heat or ready to mate from these secretions.
Mating ritual – Licking is part of the mating process and courtship ritual for dogs. It helps stimulate the female and get her prepared for breeding.

Instinct – Sniffing and licking the female genital region are ingrained behaviors for male dogs driven by hormones and instinct.
To incite female interest – The licking may induce the female dog to stand and allow the male to mount her for mating.
Grooming – Dogs will lick themselves and each other to clean and groom. The female genital area may get licked as a natural grooming behavior.

While this licking behavior may seem peculiar from a human perspective, it is perfectly normal for dogs. The motivation comes from basic natural instincts around mating, influenced by hormones.

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Gathering Information from Genital Secretions

One of the main reasons male dogs lick the genital regions of female dogs is to gather information. A dog’s sense of smell is their primary way of understanding the world around them. There are scent glands in the vulva and vaginal area of female dogs. When a male dog licks this region, they are able to detect pheromones and other chemical signals indicating the female’s reproductive status and fitness.

Some of the types of information dogs can gather from licking female genital regions include:

If the female dog is in heat – When a female dog is nearing ovulation her body releases different pheromonal scents. This is very attractive to male dogs and signals she is ready for breeding.
Hormone levels – The levels of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone can be determined from genital secretions. This gives the male insight into where the female is in her reproductive cycle.
Age and sexual maturity – Chemical signals can convey if a female dog has reached sexual maturity and is able to breed.

Reproductive status – Male dogs can determine from licking if a female is pregnant, has recently given birth, or is ready for mating.
Health status – Subtle changes in a female’s natural scent can indicate overall health, fertility, and genetic suitability for breeding.

So for male dogs, licking the vulva provides a wealth of chemical insight into a potential mate. This helps ensure their mating efforts will be worthwhile for the continuation of the species. The powerful canine sense of smell helps guide mating behavior.

Part of the Mating Ritual

For domestic dogs, most mating happens through natural breeding instincts rather than deliberate choices. There is a series of innate courtship and mating behaviors that male and female dogs are driven to perform. Male licking of the female vulva region can be considered part of the foreplay ritual leading up to breeding.

Some of the ways licking the female genital area fits into dog mating rituals include:

Getting the female’s attention – The licking stimulates the genital area and usually causes the female to stop what she is doing and stand still to allow further licking.

Arousal – The stimulation of the vulva and vagina helps stimulate the female and gets her physiologically and psychologically prepared for mating.
Testing receptiveness – The male can gauge the female’s interest and receptiveness to mating based on how much licking she allows.
Pre-coital stimulation – Licking helps arouse the female and get her vaginal secretions flowing to facilitate entry and mating.

Scent-marking – By licking the female’s genital region the male leaves his scent on her, announcing his intentions to other potential competing males.

So licking is an early part of the courtship process that helps get the female ready and willing to mate. It is one of the initial steps in coaxing an interested female to allow breeding to take place. The licking helps set the mood and escalate foreplay in preparation for sexual intercourse.

Innate Instinctive Behavior

For dogs, licking other dogs’ genital areas is first and foremost an innate behavior driven by instincts and genetics. It is not a learned behavior or something dogs choose to do consciously. The motivation comes primarily from innate responses to hormonal cues.

Some of the ways that inborn instinct factors into male licking of female vulvas include:

Triggered by hormones – The male dog’s testosterone levels drive him to seek out and lick estrous females. The female’s hormones also elicit the licking response.
Innate mating response – Male dogs have a pre-programmed mating reflex to lick a female’s genital region as part of the sexual response when detecting reproductive pheromones.

Curiosity – Dogs have an inherent curiosity and desire to explore interesting smells and tastes with their tongue and mouth. The female vulva provides a variety of intriguing scents.
Oral fixation – Oral activities like licking reinforce pleasurable sensations for dogs. It can be soothing and self-gratifying regardless of context.
Stress relief – Licking releases endorphins that help dogs feel relaxed. Mating behaviors are a known stress reliever for dogs.

So for male dogs, licking female genitals is something ingrained deep in their instincts and physiology. It is not just a chosen activity, but rather a pre-programmed response to reproductive cues and hormonal changes. Their innate drives and curiosity responds to the unique scents and tastes of the vulva.

To Get the Female to Stand for Mating

One practical motivation male dogs have for licking the genital areas of estrous females is to induce the female to stand still and allow mating to take place. Female dogs do not always cooperate without coercion. The licking of the vulva region is a way to help get the female sexually stimulated and cause her to stop moving and present for mating.

Some of the ways licking gets females to stand for breeding include:

Catching her attention – The curious sensation will usually cause the female to pause and investigate.
Stimulating hormones – The licking helps trigger hormonal changes that make the female more receptive to breeding.
Subduing reluctant females – An unwilling or uncooperative female may be subdued and calmed by persistent licking.

Sign of dominance – The licking reinforces the male’s dominant status over the female.
Self-gratification – The female may stand still simply because the licking feels pleasurable to her.

Aroused female dogs naturally assume the lordosis position during mating, where they stand still and raise their rear up. Licking is a way males can manipulate female arousal and behavior to achieve this pose, allowing them to mount successfully. It helps ensure their efforts to breed are worthwhile and effective for transmitting genes.

Natural Dog Grooming Behavior

Another factor that contributes to male dog licking of vulvas is basic grooming behavior. Dogs spend a fair amount of time licking themselves and each other to clean and tidy fur coats. The genital areas just happen to get caught up in this natural self-bathing activity.

Some reasons licking female genitals relates to doggy hygiene include:

Saliva cleans – Dog saliva contains natural cleansers and antibacterials that can help remove dirt and odor from skin and fur.

Soothing – Licking has a calming and soothing effect for dogs. The genital area with many nerve endings may be quite pleasurable to lick.
Self grooming – Like cats, dogs spend much time licking themselves to clean their coats. The vulva just becomes part of this habitual grooming.
Allogrooming – Social grooming is a way dogs strengthen bonds. Licking each other’s genitals can be an extension of this affiliative behavior.

Tastes good – Dogs like salty, pleasurable tastes. The vulva likely provides interesting taste stimuli attractive to dogs.

So vulva licking may start out as a simple grooming activity, similar to licking any other body part. But then other instincts and pleasures take over once the dog is drawn in by taste and smell. The grooming becomes more targeted due to these factors.

When Does Vulva Licking Become a Problem?

Most licking of vulvas by male dogs is completely normal and benign. However, in some circumstances this behavior can become problematic or excessive:

Constant harassment – Males that incessantly try to lick females even when they are not in heat or receptive.
Stressed females – Some females may feel stressed or afraid due to unwanted and persistent licking.
Other health issues – Dogs that lick their own or other dog’s genitals excessively or until they are raw may have neurological issues.

Owner annoyance – Excessive licking when guests or owners are present can be embarrassing and disruptive.
Escalation to mount – The male dog may progress to trying to mount the female even if she is not ready and willing.

In these cases of problem behavior, actions should be taken to manage the situation through gentle training, separation, distraction and veterinary guidance if needed. Though in most circumstances vulva licking is perfectly natural, intervention is appropriate if it starts negatively impacting a dog’s well-being and relationships.

Conclusion

Vulva licking is a common, instinctual behavior displayed by male dogs towards females. There are many logical reasons driving this behavior:

Information gathering – The male dog is able to pick up chemical signals about the female’s reproductive status and fitness for breeding.
Mating process – Licking helps stimulate mating behaviors in the female to facilitate breeding.

Instinct – Genetics and hormonal cues produce innate mating responses including vulva licking.
Grooming – The genital area gets licked as part of habitual grooming behaviors.
Pleasurable – The sights, smells and tastes of the vulva are attractive and gratifying for male dogs.

Though strange to human eyes, this licking behavior allows dogs to effectively pursue mating opportunities and ensure the survival of their genes. Only in certain excessive or stressful cases does vulva licking become a problematic issue that may require intervention. But in general, owners of male dogs can rest assured it’s perfectly natural behavior – just part of being a dog!