Dog Licking Penis

Dog Question: For the last several months my 6 year-old Lab/Golden Retriever has been licking his penis more than usual, and now other dogs have started focusing on his penis, too. Now when other dogs meet him they do the usual sniffing but almost always zero right in on his penis and stay focused on it and start licking it. Many dogs  start licking his penis in the 30 seconds of greeting, and it takes effort to distract them away from it. This didn't use to happen, so I think that other dogs are smelling a problem.  Could this be an indication that my dog has a problem with his penis (do dogs get yeast infections there?) that I should take him to the vet for?  What do you think is happening? Thank you.

Hi Michelle,

Dogs lick their penis to groom and clean them.  Other dogs will like their penis as displays of dominance.

But if it seems more than usual maybe there is a bacteria or yeast that is growing there, although you could probably tell if something is wrong.

Cleaning it with a dilute antiseptic might remove something if it is there.

Dogs rarely get infections there because they tend to keep the area very clean, it could likely be just a behavioral issue.