Dogs may respond differently to being kissed and hugged. Some dogs love it, others show pretty obvious signs of disliking it, and some just tolerate them. Some dog owners claim that their dogs seem to really enjoy it, but is that the real picture? In some cases, dogs may be showing very subtle signs of discomfort that go unnoticed, like pulling away or turning away, some even snarl or grumble. Also, some dogs ‘outgrow’ kisses. They may enjoy them as puppies but less so as an adult dog.
When a dog is kissed, it means bringing our face very close to the dog’s face, and this is something that not all dogs are comfortable with. From a dog’s perspective, putting our face close to their faces and plastering them a kiss on the nose, mouth or forehead, may be perceived as a bite or attempt to bite. When we hug and kiss our dogs, we may also wrap our arms around them which removes the dog’s “flight’ option” (the ability to leave). When we hug and kiss dogs, we may therefore put ourselves at risk for a defensive bite to the face which can be very dangerous.
Studies have shown that bending over a dog, putting the face close to the dog’s face and making eye contact (all behaviors taking place when kissing a dog), often led to bites directed towards the central area of the face. Sadly, according to the study, more than two thirds of the victims were children. Young children often perceive dogs as stuffed animals. They want to hug them and smooch them as they do with their toys.
Dogs cannot pucker or purse their lips. They can move their lips somewhat but do not have the lip muscles or range of lip movement as people do. Just like they cannot chew food with their mouths closed, as we do. If it is not natural or native to them, like many gestures that humans do, they need to figure out what it means. Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
In many cultures kissing another person is primarily seen as a sign of affection or, for some cultures, it is simply a positive gesture. For many pet owners giving their pups a kiss and a cuddle is something that comes as second nature, but what do dogs make of this?
How can I train my dog to like being kissed?
If you have a puppy, and you want to train them to enjoy when you kiss, start the kissing training at your earliest opportunity. That way, they will be familiar with your lips’ touch from a very early age. It will also bond you and your puppy together.
As your dog gets older, they will be familiar with your kisses and they won’t bother them anymore.
For adult dog training, calm your dog first by cuddling their belly. Once they are calm, kiss them gently and quickly. Repeat the same process, and they will grow familiar with your kissing in no time.
It is possible to train a dog to like kisses, but it may take some time and patience. It is important to bond with your dog and to build a trusting relationship with them before trying to train them to like kisses.
As the dog owner, you will need to be the one to initiate the kisses. Start by gently kissing your dog on the muzzle or forehead. If they seem uncomfortable, try offering a treat at the same time. With patience and positive reinforcement, you should be able to train your dog to like kisses.Positive Dog Training Course
Brain training for dogs is an online dog training course that dramatically makes your dog obedient, improves behavior, makes them less anxious, and helps them respond to your commands more efficiently. The training is based on operant conditioning, which means that it is reward-based training.
The dog is rewarded with a treat after carrying out the action (or trick) that you have asked them to do. The methods in this course are not only fun and effective, they can also help you build a stronger bond with your dog as you work through each lesson together.
Do Dogs Really Understand Human Kisses?
Even though dogs often learn human kisses are associated with positive behavior and show bodily mannerisms to express their joy when receiving human kisses, do they really understand human kisses? In other words, do dogs actually understand the behavior, or are they just responding to attention?
To answer the question directly, dogs don’t really understand human kisses. They don’t understand the nuanced nature of the human expression of love. As a result, they do not understand what a kiss represents within our culture.
So, dogs are responding to the positive affection they are receiving whenever they receive a human kiss. They simply recognize that human kisses are a positive thing and that they like the kisses, but they do not recognize the significance of a kiss.
They do understand the most basic facts of kisses – they are positive affection, and that’s the most important thing of all!
Kiss Your Dog On The Head And Record Their Reaction
Do dogs like kisses? This is one of the most common questions for new dog owners to ask and it can be confusing to figure out what the answer is.
Luckily, we’re here to help! In this post, we’re going to cover the 11 things that you need to know about dogs and kisses.
The truth is that some dogs seem to like being kissed, while others may not be as big a fan. It’s important to keep in mind that dogs don’t kiss in the same way humans do, so they don’t understand kisses as a sign of affection.
Usually, if a dog likes to be kissed it will show this by wagging its tail, looking happy, and licking us in return.
Of course, not all dogs are the same and some may genuinely enjoy being kissed by their human companions. Dogs learn through positive reinforcement, so if your dog seems to like kisses, be sure to give them lots of praise and treats.