Dogs sniff the ground primarily to gather detailed information about their environment. Their sense of smell is incredibly powerful—estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than humans'—and they use sniffing to detect the presence, health, gender, emotional state, and reproductive status of other animals. This behavior also helps dogs map their surroundings, feel safe by checking for potential dangers, and communicate with other dogs through scent markings. Sniffing the ground is a natural way for dogs to understand and interact with the world around them, including finding safe spots to rest or eliminate and staying informed about their social environment.