2006-07-04 05:06:42 · 19 answers · asked by jmpollard 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Licking is instinctive dog & wolf behavior - originally puppies did it to encourage the adults returning from a hunt to regurgitate part of a meal for them to eat.
When directed towards humans, it can be either. Depends on the dog's demeanor at the time. If his tail is carried up high, ears alert and body stiff - it's dominance. If the ears are back and the dog is relaxed - it's submissive. Some dogs also do this compulsively - if it bothers you, make him stop and give him something else to do.
2006-07-04 06:58:07 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
In wild dog packs, the pups lick the elders to show submission. However, our home pets use licking as an affection, not always submission.
When my dogs lick each other, it is a submissive action.
When my bullheaded one gets just too stubborn, I demand a kiss..she will refuse for some time, and when she finally does give a tiny lick, I know she is finally submissive, and will then mind or behave..whatever I am asking..She acts SO happy to be being obedient, that she will then 'kiss' me several times, and wag-wag-wag.
I'm sure that my visitors don't know what I'm doing, and think me terrible! for demanding a 'kiss', but it is when visitors are there that behavioral problems arise.
2006-07-04 12:15:40 · answer #2 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how they are doing it. It could always be the hey honey your hot licking before they try to jump ya and jumping you is a dominance thing. But if it's the Lick your hand or I'll clean your feet lick then they love you and are being submissive otr at least your equal.
2006-07-04 12:11:32 · answer #3 · answered by gnomes31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're meeting a dog for the first time and it licks at you, it is a sign of submission. They are also learning your scent by tasting. I know it sounds weird, but it's true. If your dog is just constantly licking you they are either very exuberant, loving dogs or they have a lack of salt in their diet.
2006-07-04 12:16:11 · answer #4 · answered by Mama23Girls 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dog licking you shows Dominance.
2006-07-04 12:15:48 · answer #5 · answered by sulaiman s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both - It is a demonstration of the dog's submission to your dominance. It's a grooming behavior - the submissive animal helps to groom the dominant animal.
2006-07-04 12:11:09 · answer #6 · answered by Radical Geezer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lol, he may just be craving a little salt in his diet. Maybe you haven't washed your hands since you prepared your last meal or snack, lol. A dog will show dominance to a human by being aggressive, growling, biting, etc,,, not by licking.
2006-07-04 12:13:17 · answer #7 · answered by Judy D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends. If you put peanut butter on yourself and have the dog lick it off, that's submission. But if he just comes up to you and licks you, he's just marking his target so he can come into your room at night when you are sleeping and kill you
2006-07-04 12:12:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably neather as the dog is licking you to get the salt off of your skin especially when you sweat
2006-07-04 12:26:35 · answer #9 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thinks none he is just excited to see you so he got nothing better to do but lick you maybe showing you how to love him back you know somw dogs teach their owners...
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2006-07-04 12:11:34 · answer #10 · answered by changed preferences... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋