A Dog’s Licking Habit
Do I have food particles in my face? The dog is licking me again. Of course I love my baby but her wet sloppy kisses as well as the raspy tongue that laves my nose, face, ears with her icky drool is a less than pleasant show of affection. Licking is a normal behavior of dogs but with the way my pet is licking me every time it gets the chance, this pooch is probably the world’s greatest licker.
The habit to lick was learned by dogs from puppyhood. Dams lick their puppies clean. The puppies will be licked clean by the dam after they have pooped and peed. Mother dogs licking is aimed to aid in the circulation and digestion process of the puppies. On the part of the puppies, the licking can be a plea to be allowed to nurse. Puppies will be seen licking the mouth of the dam to encourage regurgitation. Obviously, the most common reason for licking is to show affection. The instinctive licking of the mother dog to a pup that has crawled away is a visible sign of affection. Being affectionate creatures, puppies would lick not only the mother dog but also the littermates.
Dogs would normally show their affection by licking. Dogs that have closely bonded with their owners consider humans as their family. Humans become the family of the dog thus, the licking that is a manifestation of affection will now be given to the family. The dog licks you because you are now his family. Well loved and well cared for dogs are inclined to return the favor by licking their owners.
You know that your pet is a pack oriented animal. Dogs would need to have a well defined hierarchy and you are recognized by the pet as the leader of the pack. Apparently, the dog’s inclination to lick you is a show of submission. Licking is one of the ways by which a dog can have the approval or the attention of the master. This is most common in households with two or more dogs. Licking can be a dog’s tactic wanting to get the favors of the master.
The dog’s tendency to lick can be annoying to some pet owners considering the fact that these pets have the propensity to eat feces and things abhorrent to humans. Dogs also have an unaccountable fondness for the water in toilet bowls. These are disgusting habits and naturally you would want to stop the pet from licking you.
Learn more about why dogs lick and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.
