But that doesn’t make it any less awkward for us. If you feel uncomfortable when your dog does this, that feeling is completely legitimate. And it doesn’t mean you’re being harsh or cold if you decide to redirect the behavior. Dogs understand boundaries when we teach them gently and clearly. Something as simple as asking your dog to sit, offering a treat, or guiding them into a different greeting ritual can shift their focus without punishing their natural instincts. You’re not scolding them for being a dog—you’re helping them understand how to interact in a way that works for both of you.
Still, it’s important to remember that the same nose that occasionally puts you in an awkward spot is the one that anchors your dog to you in every meaningful moment of your life. That nose is part of what makes them such remarkable companions. It’s the nose that searches for you when you move from room to room. The nose that nudges your hand when you’re crying, sensing the changes in your breathing and heart rate long before you ever speak a word. The nose that rests softly against your shoulder when you’re sick, quietly monitoring your condition, offering comfort in the rhythm of each calm breath.
Dogs don’t read our facial expressions as well as we read theirs. They don’t navigate by tone alone. But they read scent like poetry. Through it, they detect the emotional tremors we try to hide. A shift in our sweat tells them we’re anxious. A slight change in our body chemistry lets them know we’re exhausted. They sense when something is wrong even when our faces stay controlled and our voices steady. Their noses pick up what our words refuse to admit…
