Deb D’Andrea, Nederland. Licking is a natural behavior for dogs, and like most things, there are several ideas as to why they lick. Licking could be a sign of respect, showing they recognize
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Deb D’Andrea, Nederland. Licking is a natural behavior for dogs, and like most things, there are several ideas as to why they lick. Licking could be a sign of respect, showing they recognize us as dominant, they could be gathering information about us through our sweat, or they could be licking our hands clean from that burger we just ate, enjoying any residual tasty juices.
As puppies, licking is how their mother stimulates breathing and how she cleans them; thus, licking is a matter of survival. Puppies will lick their mother’s mouth to elicit regurgitation of food, a thought to remember next time your pup gives you ‘kisses’ after you have eaten.
Licking can also be a grooming gesture, usually from the submissive pup towards the dominate one. Dogs have the ability to process much information through their nose and mouth, and through taste they can learn a lot about us, as well as other dogs, and even cats, through licking.
Some people prefer no licking or kissing; others encourage it. This choice is completely a personal preference and your pup can be positively trained to lick or not lick. With domestic dogs, licking can also be a sign of affection. Licking can be a stress reliever or can be a sign that your dog is bored, has allergies, or is feeling pain in the area they are licking.
Licking can also be a way for dogs to understand their environment. Tiki, a blue heeler (or cattle dog)/ husky mix, would put everything in her mouth to experience it and not necessarily to eat it. She’s very tactile using her mouth to understand and experience her world.
So the next time your pup comes up to give you kisses, think about what they are trying to communicate to you, are they hungry or happy to see you? Till next time. Deb D’Andrea, founder of 4TheLuvOfDogz, provides mobile Canine Massage, Canine Agility and Petz Nanny Services for dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, and other critters. 4TheLuvOfDogz home-made dog treats and K9Birthday Cakes are available direct. Contact Deb at 720-675-7078 or email at info@4theluvofdogz.com for more information.
