When dogs lick, humans react in a variety of ways.
Some people are appalled and offended. “That’s disgusting!” they say. “Do you know where that tongue has been?”
Still others tolerate the inherent dogginess of being licked. “Hi! Nice to see you, too. Okay, you can stop licking me now.”
To a dog, licking can accomplish a number of essential tasks. Here are the Top Ten:
10. We humans have aisles full of cleaning tools including Formula 409, sanitized sponges, and disinfecting wipes. Dogs have their tongues. End of story.
(And let’s face it, nothing is more thorough than a tongue for getting that last bit of spaghetti sauce off the plates in the dishwasher.)
9. Humans explore the world by touching with our hands. Dogs use their noses and tongues.
8. How else do you get a drink of water if you can’t pick up the bowl?
7. A warm wet tongue is a dog’s Aloha or Shalom – one word that can mean different things. A lick can say “Hello” and “I’m happy to see you” and “Pay attention to me.”
6. Licking the mouth of a particularly assertive dog is a sign of respect.
5. It gives bored dogs something to do.
4. Sad, distraught, or grieving dog owners report that their pets lick as a way to comfort their human companions.
2. Anxious or stressed dogs might lick themselves, the floor, or a person repetitively as a way to soothe themselves, like nail-biting for humans.
1. Human skin is tasty! Salty sweat! Lavender lotion! Banana Boat sunscreen! Melted fudge ripple ice cream! Bring it on!
Some breeds are more likely to be enthusiastic lickers than others, like Boxers, English Bulldogs, and Golden Retrievers.
If you are concerned about your dog’s licking habit, here’s what to do:
Be sure he is in good health;
He eats high quality dog food;
He gets plenty of exercise;
He has challenging/entertaining toys;
Oh yeah, and training for good manners.
Comments