Adult Dogs Lick Other Adult Dogs’ Faces
We can divide this behavior into three categories. The first category is:
Since dogs got used to licking the alpha of the pack or the more dominant pack members to show their respect towards them, licking as a sign of respect and appreciation can be noticed nowadays as well. Whether licking a familiar dog, or an unknown dog, this behavior expresses a form of submission. This is especially noticeable when the dog showing submissive behavior approaches the other dog under the chin. If the other dog licks the first dog back, this means that he/she accepts the submission.
Canines tend to lick their owners’ faces or other dogs’ faces, to show their love and strong bond. The process of licking, similar to kissing and hugging by humans, releases endorphins, that make both sides feel more relaxed and happier. Since strong bonding was crucial for the dogs survival in the past, licking was used as a bonding tool. Due to the strong survival-related meaning of this behavior, it remains today.
Most of you already know that dogs take a specific body posture to show that they are ready to play-the play bow. This posture means that the front legs of the dog are stretched out in front, the chest is close to the ground, and it looks like the dog is about to lie down, but the back area of the body is raised high. Also, dogs are likely to hold their tails and ears high and expose their tongues as additional signs of their desire to play.
When You Should StopThis Type of Behavior
In general, we can say that licking is a form of body language showing that a dog will not harm. As you already learned from the points above, licking shows respect, appreciation or eagerness to play. However, there are certain cases, when licking other dogs’ faces should be stopped.
If you notice that the licked dog does not enjoy being licked and expresses his/her irritation through growling or showing his/her teeth, this may be considered a warning sign. If the licking dog is constantly disturbing the other dog and even chasing him/her, in case he/she runs away, this behavior should be stopped.
Dogs usually calm down in a while, after they have expressed their emotions and have spent an excessive amount of energy. If the time frames, when the dog performs this behavior, get more and longer, and your pup does not seem to get calm soon, you may need to take action.
Dogs should not lick injured areas of other’s dog bodies, especially if there is an open wound. This may contaminate the wound or remove any treatments applied to the affected area. Moreover, you should not let a dog lick any remedies from another dog’s face or body, as they may end up in his/her digestive system.
If you raise two dogs who have a strong bond, they may lick each other’s faces quite often to show their affection. Nothing bad, right? However, sometimes two dogs develop so strong a bond to each other (or a dog to his/her owner), that they may develop separation anxiety. If this is the case, you should not let things keep going that way.
Why Do Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Faces
As a dog owner or at least a dog lover, you may have already noticed that dogs show different types of behaviors, some of which we do find a bit weird. Dogs are loving creatures, inquisitive about all things happening in their surroundings. Through body language and vocalization they manage to express their emotions and feelings such as love, affection, fear, anger, anxiety, and playfulness.
Licking is a common feature in dogs, that may be caused by behavioral factors or health conditions. Dogs tend to sniff, nose-nudge, lick, and mouth many objects on a daily basis, in order to explore them. However, sometimes dogs are likely to lick not only objects but their owners and other dogs as well.
If you are curious about the reasons why dogs may lick other dogs’ faces, you may want to keep reading.
Dogs Lick Other Dogs’ Faces-Origin of This Behavior
Dogs as pack animals had to constantly interact with each other in order to notify the other pack members where prey was located or if there was danger nearby. They also had to express respect to the alpha of the group and show their bond to each other in order to survive and keep the piece in the pack. Some people may find dogs unfriendly and confrontational, however, in most cases, they try to prevent conflicts through different kinds of interactions.
Luckily when a dog licks another dog’s face, this behavior is considered behavior-related and is not a sign of an underlying health condition.
Why Does My Dog Lick the Muzzle of Another Dog?
Dogs are such social animals, which makes communication so vital to them. They’ll use several ways to express their emotions to you and their canine friends, whether it’s raising their hackles, barking, or putting their tail between their legs. There’s not a lot of guesswork when it comes to knowing what a pup is thinking. If you have more than one dog, you have a front-row seat to see how they act together.
In many ways, having two or more pets is like having toddlers in the home. They’ll sleep together one moment and chase each other around the yard the next. Dogs are also expressive in physical ways, which may have you asking, why does my dog lick my other dogs face? The answer requires a deep dive into canine behavior and the evolutionary past of your best friend.
Licking is an instinctive behavior for a canine right from birth. Touching is the first sense dogs use to understand their world. They can’t see, nor can they hear. Both their eyes and ears are closed. The only thing puppies know is their mother licking them. They will use this sense, too, to communicate with their mother, whether it’s to nurse or feed on the prey that she has killed.
Puppies will start to see and hear during the first two to three weeks of their young lives. Even so, dogs use their mouths to chew things, bite their littermates, and pick up whatever they can find. The fact remains that they learn licking from their mothers and will add it to their repertoire of communication skills.
Canines will lick for three reasons. They use it to show affection for their pack mates and owners. You can think of it as their form of kissing. You may find that your pup is quite loving when you first come home after being away from the house for a while. Your pet may do the same thing with his roommate. The licking is both a greeting and a reinforcement of your bond.
Canines also use licking to express submission, whether it’s with their mother, other dogs, or you. It’s a gesture of respect in their world that is often accompanied by exposing their bellies to signal trust, too. Puppies often go right for the face. That’s how they communicate to their mother that they want to be fed. Sometimes, it’s a behavior that they’ll take into adulthood.
Dogs also lick for health reasons, whether it’s to groom themselves or tend to a wound. It can also signal medical issues, such as a skin infection or an injury, especially if accompanied by redness or swelling. Canines often show similar symptoms with food allergies. In many cases, the licking is obsessive, particularly on the paws.
Domesticated dogs share a common ancestor with modern-day wolves, which can also help explain this licking behavior. Canines often hunt cooperatively, which can increase their hunting success. Their survival instinct tells them that they need each other. Licking the faces of other pack members helps to reinforce the bonds that hold the group together.
This behavior has a long evolutionary history that goes back thousands of years. Mutual grooming is something you’ll see in a lot of animals, from primates to birds to dogs. For the most part, it’s a welcoming gesture for both the giver and the recipient. It may release endorphins and provide a relaxing experience. However, sometimes, that’s not always the case.
Occasionally, a dog will cross the line and start licking the face of another pet. The receiver may tolerate it for a bit. Then, his ears will go back, and it’s clear to see that the giver has worn out his welcome. Often, the pups can work out their differences on their own. They may growl and part ways. Squabbles among pets living in the same home are common.
However, if it escalates, it’s time to intervene. Sometimes, just a distraction is enough to put an end to it. Tossing a toy in the pair’s direction or calling out to them will stop the licking. Remember that it’s instinctive behavior on the giver’s part, no matter how it’s received. Scolding is not the best approach to curtail it. Several reasons can explain excessive licking.
We mentioned mutual grooming. Dogs may lick the ears of another pet and may like it since they can’t tend to that part of their bodies. The same thing may apply to the top of the other animal’s head. The problem of too much of a good thing is that it may set the stage for an ear infection in the recipient.
It may surprise you to learn that excessive licking may also signal a problem with the recipient. Dogs get to know one another quite well when living under the same roof. If one animal has an injury or medical condition, the other one may try to help by licking the dog. Remember that it’s how a pup will treat an injury on himself. As odd as it may seem, it may be worthwhile to get the recipient checked.
Finally, excessive licking can also be a sign of a behavioral problem. Occasional licking is normal canine behavior. If it becomes an obsession, it is not. You should consult your vet to find out what’s behind this unwanted behavior.
Licking behavior is an instinctive behavior that dogs learn from birth. It reinforces the bond between the mother and her young. It’s something a pup will do all its life to show affection and submission. Not having hands, it’s also a way for canines to take care of themselves and their wounds. When a dog licks the face of another, he’s likely doing it for the same reasons, with the hope of reciprocity.
While it’s normal behavior, particularly if it’s welcomed, excessive licking can signal medical or behavioral problems for either the giver or the recipient that warrant a visit to the vet. The link has been copied!