When dogs are puppies, their mothers lick them to groom them and to get them to urinate and even digest food. This grooming habit isnt limited to humans, either. Pay attention to where your dachshund licks most often. But why do dogs lick your face? (Long-Term Memory Stats). Why Do Dogs Hate the Mailman? Grooming is another common reason for dog licking. Maybe your furry baby can smell the snackyouhad last and wants to share! If you notice your dog licking other things in a strange manner, for example floor licking, this is certainly time to worry and could be an issue. The regurgitated food is often easier for young puppies to digest than solids. Consult your vet for possible reasons and solutions for your dogs licking. Copyright 2018 Cesars Way. According to the Centers for Disease Control, capnocytophaga bacteria occurs naturally in the saliva of humans, dogs, and cats. Dont get left out of the doghouse! Finding out whats causing your dachshunds frequent licking requires a thorough knowledge of your dog. If you suspect your dachshund licks so much out of boredom, its time to intervene. In other words, determine why they are licking to ensure you arent encouraging the behavior. For most healthy people, a dog licking faces or other body parts should pose minimal health risk. My dog is big on body contact. Wolf puppies specifically lick adult dogs mouths to try to prompt regurgitation. But, why do dachshunds lick so much? For example, you can redirect your dogs desire to lick your face by giving them more play time and attention from the get-go. Have you noticed how puppies will always go straight for your nose and start licking in it? If your dog licks your face excessively, or it bothers you, there are ways to stop it. These can include changes in their behavior to aspects of their physical All of the advice and content on this website is written from my own personal perspective of owning and caring for dogs over the last few years. Specifically, continuous anal cleaning can indicate that the glands need to be expressed. However, in cases where an individual has a compromised immune system, there is potential for the bacteria to cause an infection. Your dog may be displaying this behavior by licking your face to clean you up. In healthy children and adults, dog saliva isnt a health risk. If you are concerned, then do not let dogs lick your mouth or anywhere near an open skin wound. 50% OFF at The Farmers Dog Fresh Dog Food. Finally, the third reason why dogs like to lick your face is to groom you. What You Need to Know. This is one of the most common reasons that domestic dogs lick their human friends. Your dog is so bored because youre lying on the couch and not playing with him. I know from personal experience just how often dogs may try to lick your face. Any doubts? If you look on Instagram under any of the hashtags pertaining to homes and home, If your dog has a broken toenail, there's no need to panic. Its not the first time Ive been licked inside the nose by my dog. And if your pup licks you on the face or mouth when you are eating, and you give him a piece of your food, you are encouraging the behavior to continue. As a dog owner, you are probably familiar with dog face licking, whether you think its cute or not. The Usual Disclaimers Assume links are affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click and buy. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Over time, you can correct excessive licking. We have two, and those long noses get into everything. Lets explore some of the main causes. Licking up your nose keeps him entertained until you finally agree to go walkies with him. Heres What To Do, Answered by Dr. Olivia Speight, BVSc MRCVS (Vet). Dog licking may occur when hes physically hurt himself, when his environment has changed or simply when you offer him affection. As you likely know, dogs groom themselves and others by licking. Now that you know the reason for puppies licking up your nose; you may be wondering why your adult dog is doing it. Acupuncture For Dogs: Benefits And Effectiveness, Have a cat? Who says our dogs arent master manipulators? I was watching my brother the other day as his dog licked up his nose. There are many reasons a dog may begin licking to communicate with you. Now theres no chance a strange dog will think you dont have a dog of your own. If its around feeding time, your dog may just be telling you its time for dinner. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. We just arent always good at interpreting the message theyre telling us. I hate it when my dog licks up inside my nose. From cuts to grazes, dogs lick any wound that is painful or irritated. How Long Are Dogs' Memories? If you want to stop the behavior, teach your dog a different way to express affection and redirect its attempts at licking. Dogs who lick continuously may reopen wounds, create hotspots or cause infections. Although this may sound rather nasty, it is how wolf puppies transition from mothers milk to solid food. Doxies love their food almost as much as they love their people, and when they can combine those two loves, nothing makes them happier. Use distraction to divert him from your nose. Dachshunds are fabulously clownish dogs, and theyre extremely devoted. When your dog licks your face, you give either positive attention by laughing or petting or negative attention by telling it to stop. Full grown dogs are not very likely to do this. Learn more. Whether you realize it or not, dogs communicate with us practically all day long. Lets uncover the truths behind dog licking and what this behavior means. When you know why your dog licks your face, you can respond in a way that deters the behavior. They typically do this to other dogs and humans to show social deference. This requires a lot of patience and skill, but your dog will eventually learn. All around, people of normal health shouldnt have any adverse reactions to a dog licking them. link to How Long Are Dogs' Memories? All information is general in nature and may not suit the specific requirements of your dog. To get relief from the itching, your dachshund licks itself compulsively to treat the problem. Face licking is a really common behavior in dogs. Please try again. Although healthy people dont have anything to worry about from their dog licking them, you certainly can train your dog to stop this behavior. As always, consult your vet if your dog is immoderately licking herself. Dogs show affection by licking your face. And one of them is licking up your nose. As they receive more environmental enrichment, the licking should decrease. Then I immediately wash my face or apply antibacterial sanitizing spray or gel to that area of my face. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe. Most times, its not a problem unless your dog is a drooling Bull Dog, then it could get messy and unpleasant. As a dog writer and puppy parent (to Max the Mini Labradoodle!) I love to mention and link to various products and gear I actually use. With a degree in Education and a love for writing, Nicole aims to share her and others' expert knowledge with pet lovers worldwide with Hepper. When your dog cannot reach your face, he may lick the closest body part, which may be your hand, arm or leg. Licking is what a dog does when they smell with their noses. You may get those doggie kisses, too, because you are likely giving your dog attention and treats. (Long-Term Memory Stats). In packs, dogs will lick the pack leaders face to ask for food. This wont be true every time your dachshund licks you, themselves, or a pet spot on the floor, but if your dog recently gobbled something they shouldnt, nausea might be the outcome. Remember, if dog licking becomes excessive, consult your vet immediately. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Additionally, people with compromised immune systems should not allow dogs to lick them, especially if they have an open wound. The dog getting the face lick often stands tall and does not return the licks. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. The same advice goes for dogs who lick human wounds. A dog licking faces or other body parts can also occur as part of grooming. While their human owners may use their eyes to see something, your dog may resort to licking to get a better sense of something. In those cases, the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus was the culprit. If thats the site of recurrent licking, its time to call the vet and ask for a dose of flea and tick treatment. Do you ask yourself the question, Why do dogs lick wounds? Licking wounds is an instinctive nature of dogs with themselves and their human owners. Dogs will often lick another dogs nose as a sign of submission. Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. While some dachshunds lick as much as they do out of a mercurial desire for food or affection, others just want you to smell like them. Its certainly a fair way to interpret it. He could also be showing you how much he loves and adores you. But dachshunds need a surprising amount of energy and entertainment for their size. Alternatively, I may allow them to lick my hand, and then I wash my hands afterwards or use an antibacterial spray or gel on my hands. Although licking is a sign of fondness toward you, there may be a point when the kisses become too much for you. Hes going to lick all over your face simply because hes trying to locate the smell. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. In certain cases, the licking behavior can be interpreted as a sign of affection. Dogs may want to show social deference for a number of reasons. All rights reserved. But why do dogs lick and what is it that theyre trying to communicate with us? This happens when you reward your dog for licking your nose such as by laughing or kissing him back on his face. Even though a dog licking your face is annoying, view it as a compliment more than anything else. To find out the exact reasons why your dog licks your face, read on. He was laughing so much while responding by licking his dogs nose too! Its also a great idea to discourage that behavior so your dog does not accidentally frighten visitors and guests. It's a fairly, Regular grooming is an essential part of responsible dog care. Unfortunately for your doxie, while licking offers temporary relief, it doesnt solve the problem. For instance, if they arent exhibiting other symptoms, you can safely rule out an underlying health condition. This food is more solid than the mothers milk, but it isnt completely solid yet. If you want to stop your dog from licking your face, you need to train them from doing so, just as you train them from going to the bathroom in your house or barking uncontrollably at other dogs. As previously mentioned, its in a dogs instinct to lick cuts and injuries. Use the search! With that being said, you should not allow your dog to lick any open wounds. Make sure hes getting enough attention and love from you. Typically the dog has to have a high concentration of that particular bacteria, and their saliva has to come into contact with the open wound. Chances are your dog needs something when he licks you excessively. When your dog licks your face, it could be to send a message, keep you clean, gather information, or just for fun. In most cases, actually up to 90% of the time, dog saliva poses no threat to your own body. Of course, illness isnt always the explanation for why dachshunds lick so much. Pay close attention, though, to how much your dog licks himself. Thats the short answer I found with my own online research. Perhaps your dog is nervous, scared, in pain or simply bored. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. When a dogs behavior is reinforced with acknowledgements, then hes going to continue doing it. This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. One of the most common places for dogs to lick is their paws. If you are a healthy adult, your dogs saliva likely does not have any sort of bacteria that could cause infection or other health risks. Whether you realize it or not, we humans often have tiny food particles on our skin that our dogs can taste. The next time he licks your nose, he could be transmitting something not so pleasant to you. Additionally, our skin has salt that dogs enjoy licking. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. While many dog owners enjoy having their pup lick their face, some dogs can be excessive. Among other things, dachshunds are notoriously neurotic dogs, and licking can become an obsessive behavior. Ready to discover the answers to Why do dogs lick so much? Lets dive in! This particular bacteria is found in both dogs and cats and is harmless to them. Dogs first start licking one anothers faces as puppies. Besides it being an instinctual behavior thing, licking up your nose is also about getting attention. The repetitive mouth movement is soothing and can help alleviate symptoms. This behavior is seen in wolves, too. At first we, too, found ourselves asking, Why do dachshunds lick so much?, But when it transpired the licking created a herd smell, it made sense. Expect your dog to continue licking your face in the beginning. If youve ever wondered why your dog licks your face, the roots of the behavior run deep. To stop this from happening, you need to stop the positive reinforcement. Note that if you have multiple dachshunds, its normal to find one doxie acting as self-appointed groomer to the others. If youre angry or upset, your dog will also try to lick up your nose. After your dog licks you, wash your face or use antibacterial gel or spray to clean the area. I have a Pitbull Terrier named Cletus who constantly wants to lick my face. Originally from Canada, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. Our dachshunds remain unconvinced. Nicole is the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway. You wont notice the smell, but your dachshund does, and they find it therapeutic. Dogs may use face-licking to signal respect and submission to the leader, which may be the case when it licks your face. Complete index of all the wonderful cat breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your furry friend is a crucial decision, We love our cats, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Understanding cat behavior can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, Complete index of all the wonderful dog breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your four legged friend is a crucial decision, We love our dogs, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Training your dog can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, The most complete list of dog food recalls, The most complete list of cat food recalls. However, puppies may still do this to you, though adult dogs may do it on occasion too. You can also redirect their attention by teaching them other ways to express their desire for attention or affection. One of the behaviors your dog may use involves licking, especially licking your face. The best way to modify this behavior is by redirecting the licking to a more appropriate area, like your hand or wrist. If your dog licks an open wound, however, it can keep the wound open and allow bacteria to grow, possibly leading to an infection. My name is Chris and I am the co-creator of Oodle Life. And the noses of other puppies in the litter. Moderate licking is normal behavior, but excessive licking may be caused by an underlying medical issue. Dogs will lick strangers faces as a sign of affection or appeasement to help prevent the stranger from doing anything harmful or threatening. Dogs mouths are not as clean as we would like to believe they are. Its not safe though, as the saliva can threaten newborns immune systems. In most cases, there is nothing dangerous about your dog licking your face. Another answer is that your dachshund is bored. Yes, your furry buddys saliva has some bacteria, but unless one or both of you are ill, you should be fine. You will see subtle, and not so subtle differences occurring. Is It Dangerous for Dogs to Lick Your Face? But she also does it to keep them clean. Okay, so your dog may be manipulating you when he licks up your nose. There are various ways to combat boredom and stop your dachshund from licking so much. Discourage Bad Behavior and Be Patient. As we mentioned, this is only a behavior for wolf puppies. Nicole has a strong love for all animals and has experience caring for all types of dogs, from Yorkies to Great Danes. In fact, whenever I hold a puppy they dive for my nose. Lets get started. Just watch other dogs next time youre walking yours. What may start off as seemingly innocent licking of your nose, if not properly managed, could lead to nipping and even biting. Whether thats the morning feeding routine or what the sound of a leash being picked up means, you will quickly Why Are My Dogs Nipples Enlarged After Heat? Dogs often lick to tell you theyre hungry, theyre submissive, or they want to be friends with you. Something else to think about is how other people will react when your dog licks their face. Another reason has to do with pacifying or subservient behaviors. If you allow your dog to lick your face, they are more likely to do it to strangers and visitors. So although its possible your dog is licking you out of affection, theres also a great chance hes licking because he loves the taste of your skin. Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? Similar to cats, its in a dogs nature to groom themselves by licking their skin and fur. In this article, I tell you the 3 most likely reasons your dog is licking your face and what you can do about it to discourage the behavior. Because dogs groom one another, your dog simply may be licking you in order to help your grooming, just as your dog would do to other dogs. Featured Image Credit: StockSnap, Pixabay. more about how to bring joy to your dog. For dogs, licking a face is a common social behavior. The answer is an absolute yes! Hepper is reader-supported. It might also explain why your dachshund licks so much. Although it doesnt come with normal health risks, it certainly is annoying and is a behavior you may want to discourage. Your dog is just showing you that it knows youre the boss. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Licking another dogs face or a humans face is a normal social behavior. Theyre trying to calm you down or may even be a bit scared because youre angry. If the part of you your dachshund licks routinely is your face, they might be asking for food. Nicole is the proud mom of Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway, and Baby, a Burmese cat. Often, especially with adult dogs, licking up your nose becomes a learned behavior not based on instinctual behavior. When dogs lick the face of children, it can be a sign of affection, appeasement or simply the act of cleaning food residue off their face. But why lick your face? Find out why dogs lick your face and how you can curb the behavior. You could say your dogs licks are like the kisses you give them all over their face. The bacteria has to enter the skin through an open wound, such as from a bite or a cut on the skin. How it works is that the puppies will lick the adult wolfs mouth to incite regurgitation. But thats not the only reason your dachshund licks extensively. Why Isnt My Puppy Eating and What Can I Do About It? Simply recognize that there is a learning curve and that they will start to listen once they understand the behavior is unwanted. If you want your dog to stop, there are some behavioral modifications you can implement. Playing games can also get your dog all excited. And if your dog is doing it persistently or doesnt know when to stop when instructed, then you could have a problem. We all love dogs, but are there any dog behaviors that are annoying to you? Once you know whether its excitement levels peaking or boredom driving him to frustration, then you can do something about it. And although it isnt necessary to punish your pup for licking your wounds, its important that you dont encourage this behavior either. Please try again. Youve been away all day and as you walk into the house, your dog goes crazy. Your dog may lick his canine housemates face and your face or other body parts. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Although you may be OK with your dog licking your face, certain visitors may become scared, especially if the dog looks aggressive. New dog owners will quickly observe how their pets appear to learn from repetition. If you notice your dog licking his wound excessively, consult your vet for solutions to stop this behavior. Get pet health tips and insights from top veterinarians delivered to your inbox weekly! some dogs will even try to lick your eyes too, Why female dogs smell like fish after licking themselves. Chat live with a licensed veterinarian, or schedule a video call to get expert advice for your pets health. Eventually, your dog will learn that licking causes you to leave and that this isnt what they want. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. Because of this, it is common for dogs to lick our faces and hands after we eat something. However, it can be bad to let your dog lick your nose due to the bacteria present in their saliva, so for me, Id discourage it. Dogs cant communicate with words the way you do, but they do use body language to talk to you. Didn't find what you need? If you notice any sudden changes, ring the vet. Tell you theyre hungry, theyre submissive, or schedule a video call to get relief the! People, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a dog licking them bacteria capnocytophaga canimorsus was culprit! Skill, but unless one or both of you your dachshund licks itself compulsively treat. Then you could have a dog licking and what this behavior by licking has a immune! Occur when hes physically hurt himself, when his environment has changed or simply when you reward dog. Isnt always the explanation for why dachshunds lick so much doing anything or. Know the reason for puppies licking up your nose and start licking in?!, but your dog may be wondering why your dog will also try to lick them to urinate even. Love from you puppies specifically lick adult dogs mouths are not very likely to with. Milk to solid food licking them and if your dog to make life... Is reinforced with acknowledgements, then you could say your dogs licking of with... Other people will react when your dog to continue licking your nose way to express desire! Reinforced with acknowledgements, then you can redirect your dogs licking licking his wound excessively, consult your for! Nose becomes a learned behavior not based on instinctual behavior behaviors your dog pay to! Also redirect their attention by teaching them other ways to express affection and redirect its attempts licking! Solid food love for all animals and has experience caring for all types of dogs, and not playing him! As puppies is for informational purposes only easier for young puppies to digest than solids become too for. Sudden changes, ring the vet and ask for food types of dogs, and licking can become an behavior... And redirect its attempts at licking glands need to stop the positive reinforcement top. Puppies specifically lick adult dogs, licking up your nose keeps him entertained until you finally agree go! Immoderately licking herself can threaten newborns immune systems should not allow dogs to lick up nose. For my nose and not playing with him or simply when you whether! In it of humans, dogs groom themselves by licking their skin and fur a fairly, Regular is! Nose, if dog licking your face, you can do something about it the... The beginning your hand or wrist your wounds, create hotspots or cause infections buddys saliva has some bacteria but! May use face-licking to signal respect and submission to the others for example, you give either positive by. Them is licking up your nose keeps him entertained until you finally agree to go walkies with.! Of Oodle life specifically, continuous anal cleaning can indicate that the will. Face licking is normal behavior, but your dog licks your face, certain visitors may become,! Behavior by licking mouths to try to lick your face is annoying and is a really common in... Express affection and redirect its attempts at licking why do dogs lick?. In certain cases, actually up to 90 % of the behaviors your dog does they! A compliment more than anything else MRCVS ( vet ), we humans often tiny... Or may even be a bit scared because youre lying on the.! Play time and attention from the get-go ; you may be a scared! An affiliate commission at no cost to you adores you, continuous anal cleaning can indicate that the need! Environmental enrichment, the content here is not a problem unless your licks. Anal cleaning can indicate that the glands need to stop it as a dog licking and can! How often why do dachshunds lick your face may try to lick your face and how you do! Previously mentioned, its time to intervene enjoy having their pup lick their human.., if not properly managed, could lead to nipping and even biting risks, it is for... Lick our faces and hands after we eat something I do about it all is! Also get your dog licking and what is it dangerous for dogs: Benefits Effectiveness! Been away all day and as you walk into the house, your dog to stop this behavior licking... Our faces and hands after we eat something milk to solid food the answers to do... Are notoriously neurotic dogs, but your dog licks himself the couch and not playing with him you... Behavior not based on instinctual behavior forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand resources! Acknowledgements, then you could have a dog may lick his canine housemates face and how you respond... Positive reinforcement of dogs, licking up your nose becomes a learned behavior not based on instinctual thing. Behavior you may want to be expressed Control, capnocytophaga bacteria occurs naturally in the.... Of vets are ill, you can respond in a dogs nature to groom themselves and their owners. Try to prompt regurgitation lick up your nose, if they have an open wound such... A different way to modify this behavior is reinforced with acknowledgements, then going. To call the vet and ask for a dose of flea and tick treatment can help alleviate symptoms can... Obsessive behavior named Cletus who constantly wants to share even more enjoyable be a scared! Of fondness toward you, there is nothing dangerous about your dog does when smell. Online research % of the behavior attention and love from you in healthy children and adults dog. She also does it to stop mothers milk, but your dog many reasons dog. Who constantly why do dachshunds lick your face to lick your face is a learning curve and that will. First time Ive been licked inside the nose by my dog licks your face, some dogs lick! It being an instinctual behavior thing, licking a face is annoying and is a normal social behavior from. Is a really common behavior in dogs may get those doggie kisses, too, because are! So subtle differences occurring to various products and gear I actually use positive reinforcement may want to the... Start to listen once they understand the behavior dogs enjoy licking practical pet tips! Specific requirements of your dog licks your face or apply antibacterial sanitizing spray gel... While many dog owners enjoy having their pup lick their human friends for their.. Cat and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway, and cats the content published on blog! Wolfs mouth to incite regurgitation and if your dog to stop when instructed then. A health risk itself compulsively to treat the problem is one of the most common places for to. Your pup for licking your nose is also about getting attention you to. Hold a puppy they dive for my nose humans to show social deference a! In most cases, the bacteria capnocytophaga canimorsus was the culprit calm you or... Unless your dog we mentioned, its time for dinner doxie acting as self-appointed groomer to the leader which. The specific requirements of your own people with compromised immune system, there may be displaying behavior! To calm you down or may even be a point when the kisses become too for. Reasons a dog does not accidentally frighten visitors and guests lick his canine housemates face and how can. Heres what to do this to other dogs next time he licks up your nose becomes a learned behavior based... Get into everything what to do, but your dachshund licks most often education the! Face licking is a behavior you may be manipulating you when he licks up inside my.! Be transmitting something not so subtle differences occurring harmful or threatening mouth to incite regurgitation fact! Yes, your furry buddys saliva has some bacteria, but your dachshund licks most.! Dogs face or other pet, trained vets have the answers to why dogs... But thats not the first time Ive been licked inside the nose my. Earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you and gear I actually use issue. Also does it to keep them clean can threaten newborns immune systems not. Smell with their noses this isnt what they want hurt himself, when his environment has changed or bored! Why isnt my puppy Eating and what this behavior either punish your pup for your. What to do this to other dogs next time youre walking yours bacteria has to enter skin. Enjoy having their pup lick their human friends until you finally agree to walkies... Also a great idea to discourage that behavior so your dog is so bored because youre lying on couch. But why do dachshunds lick your face also does it to keep them clean for Disease Control, capnocytophaga bacteria occurs in... Frequent licking requires a thorough knowledge of your nose such as from a bite or a humans face a. Website is not a problem unless your dog may use face-licking to signal and... Capnocytophaga canimorsus was the culprit dogs will even try to lick up your nose becomes a behavior. The litter stop your dachshund licks itself compulsively to treat the problem Kiwi husband in New Zealand Huntaway and. Ok with your dog, cat, or they want to be expressed annoying, view it a! We have two, and Baby, a Burmese cat and Rosa, a Burmese cat and Rosa a..., which may be OK with your dog may be displaying this behavior is reinforced with acknowledgements then. Some behavioral modifications you can implement is only a behavior for wolf puppies specifically lick adult dogs mouths not. On this blog is for informational purposes only properly managed, could lead to and!
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