How can I let my dog show affection for me without letting him lick me on the mouth? I don't know where his

Question

tongue has been. PLEASE, no dirty remarks. I'm serious. He often licks my foot when I am at the computer.

Answer 1

OH YES YOU DO KNOW WHERE HIS MOUTH HAS BEEN...and that's the problem

Simply redirect him. Turn your face away while responding with another display of affection. If it's ok to lick your cheek, then present your cheek to him.

If licking in general is the problem, it's more of a pack/grooming behavior than affection. I said that to reassure you that your not "rejecting" his affection. If it's in response to greeting, arriving home, play, etc. then it's a bonding/affection thing. Redirecting to something you find acceptable is a training of sorts.

Answer 2

Don't know the breed, which can make a slight difference.

However, constant and consistent praise when he licks your feet and just turn your head constantly will help him get the idea. There are other methods, but without knowing the age and the breed and more info from you on how your household is set up around this (does everyone else let the dog lick their faces, etc), I won't give those suggestions here.

You could just never let the dog get close to your head, but then that makes cuddling hard. You can also just gently gently put you hand over his muzzle (not cutting off his breathing) each and every time. But you'd be surprised how well a tongue can sneak out of even a closed mouth!!! Which can be hilarious to see. Use this type of behavior in a kind and playful way all the time and eventually the dog should just stop it. It's not always about dominance, sometimes it's just plain old love.

I had a 'licker' once and the only thing I did was curl my lips in so all the dog got was the face around where my lips might have been, and then I would wash my face. All my other dogs were easily trained not to by my turning my face away or holding their muzzle whilst cuddling.

Good luck :)

Answer 3

It's impossible. Try licking a towel or your shirt to get off the fur. Also, no need to be embarrassed about licking your dog, there's a LOT of other people who have tried it at least once in their life. Just ignore the other people who call you an idiot or other names.

Answer 4

A dog's mouth is actually cleaner than yours - they even proved it on Mythbusters.

But as other people said, just tell him "no" when he tries to do it. He'll learn and start licking you elsewhere.

Answer 5

A dog's mouth is cleaner than a human, but I understand if you think it's gross. I mean, how can you kill bacteria in a piece of sh**? And even if you can, would you want that on your face? Just turn away

Answer 6

The reason he does it is because of the sweat on your face or he is spoiled like my dog but what you do is you hit him on the nose and say no or you get a newpaper and you roll it up and you spank him with it and the sound of yhe paper will scare the dog or you could kick the dog outside for a few and trhat way he will kwno if i like i get spanked or thrown out side

Answer 7

Dogs kiss YOU on the mouth...then go lick their butts to get rid of the taste. hehehehe

Answer 8

Well, first of all, they have enzymes in their mouths, just as we do, that kill any harmful bacteria. So an occasional kiss doesn't hurt, I don't always let my doggie give me kisses, she really likes to clean ears! I love a good wet slobbery kiss every once in a while. =D

Answer 9

Well honestly dogs have one of the cleanest mouths. They're actually cleaner than ours. Dogs have a bacteria that kills all germs in the their saliva and their saliva actually has healing bacteria in it too! Don't be so worried, just enjoy the love your pooch is sharing with you. :)

Answer 10

Dogs know where kisses are supposed to be! I'm 50 and have been kissing dogs and letting them kiss me my entire life. I've never gotten sick from it. I do curl my lips in when they kiss me on the mouth, but never tried to make them stop!