When ever my dog gets excited he tends to lick faces! My partner seems to think this is to show that he is the more dominant (the dog) I thought it would be the other way round!
2007-01-03 08:57:06 · 17 answers · asked by sazsel 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The most common answer I have found is this :
Dogs in a pack will lick the alpha's face around the mouth to get food scraps. They do that to us to get food scraps from the alpha.
Doesn't make sense to me...Well, kinda, but that's the one I found when I researched it a while ago!!
But in this instance according to my answer, it is to show that you are dominant..
I have seen wolves on tv do this, and it is the less dominant dogs who lick the faces of the more dominant ones!
2007-01-03 09:02:00 · answer #1 · answered by Jase 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In the pack setting the pups would encourage the returning dogs from the hunt to regurgitate food. It is not dominance but a sign of submission.
2007-01-03 17:08:32 · answer #2 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dogs lick the face of more dominant members of the pack( eg you!) to appease them. So you have won this arguement!
2007-01-04 06:17:14 · answer #3 · answered by PetLover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right. In the wild, wolf puppies would lick the muzzle of older wolves to get them to regurgitate food. This is also a sign of submission. Have you seen puppies lick the faces of adult dogs?
If it gets annoying though, or you find it disgusting, I'm sure your dog won't be offended if you train him not to ;)
2007-01-03 17:03:17 · answer #4 · answered by Sara S 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
young dogs in the wild will lick at the mouth of its mother to stimulate her to regurgitate food , domestic dogs have kept this trate, and is also proberly a sign of submission . hope this helps
2007-01-04 10:43:26 · answer #5 · answered by Simon t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter why, it's the most disguting habit ever. Have you seen where it licks itself, and goes round smelling other dogs bits and poo. Why would you want that slavvering down your face. Put it in its place, outside in its kennel keeping guard.
2007-01-03 17:02:23 · answer #6 · answered by tucksie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not too sure but dogs like the taste of urine and nice salty sweat - so if you have been perspiring recently they might like to lick your face then or your feet?
My dog ate some poo last week!! She's an idiot though!! :-)
2007-01-03 17:01:36 · answer #7 · answered by Dave 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its to show thier love and appreciation for you.
Sort of like a thank you.
Its thier way of showing they love you or are happy to see you.
And its not disgusting, kissing another person is actually worse as they have more bacteria than a dog. Dogs mouths are anti bacterial :]
2007-01-03 18:39:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think it is a simple act of friendship. A true friend does not keep the last ar*e he licked to himself! Share and share alike!
2007-01-03 17:01:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you're right, it is to show submissive begging behavior of a lower status pack member. If you make sure to stop him when you're tired of it.
Licking can be a dominance thing. The alpha can groom the lower status pack members anytime he/she wants, and may refuse grooming anytime he/she wants. If you don't like it, refuse to let him do it. Also, make sure he knows that when you want to pet/scratch/rub him, he must allow it.
2007-01-03 18:02:51 · answer #10 · answered by Peaches 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋