Why do dogs lick anyway?

[furryfriends]

HAHAHA funny thread.
My Koda will lick our boo-boo's. My daughter had scraped her elbow and she had a sore there, and Koda will go to town licking it. I guess he does it because he thinks he is keeping it clean. LOL. And I have really cracked dry skin on the heels of my feet. And if Koda see's my cracked feet he starts licking them.
Like I said, I guess he thinks he has to groom us, and keep us nice and clean. LOL

[cesar49]

i read recently that belly rubs are not good for training...

it can stimulate aggressive behavior..the dog will think it is ok to express dominance behavior toward me by putting paws on me, mouthiing me, head butting me, and so on... kissing? if i do not tolerate the aggression, the dog will look for another creature to express the dominance behavior..
another dog or a child..


NO MORE BELLY RUBS.....PLEASE

[Yorkieforme]

I am glad to read that Kiki is not the only one who is lick obsesive....sometimes it drives me nuts...but she is to cute to ever get mad at....lick lick lick!!

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by Yorkieforme

I am glad to read that Kiki is not the only one who is lick obsesive....sometimes it drives me nuts...but she is to cute to ever get mad at....lick lick lick!!

i dont mind the licks.. but not in my mouth...and dont lick my sores....ugghh
gross...sorry, but i am trying to train not to not lick my mouth... but some of them really want the lip to lip kisses... and the tongues are sooo long... i just pretend to like it so they dont get offended.. i think they just want to know what i was eatting

[kdlmon]

Originally Posted by JoanneV

My female Tinka, loves to lick my hands while I'm holding her. I spoke to the vet about it and he said that Yorkies are a bit obsessive compulsive, but I think it is cos they are been affectionate.

This cracks me up! Considering I have a touch of the OCD, I think that I will be more understanding when Cooper goes crazy with the licking!

[SANDYSAND]

Licking is a way our pet dogs can greet us, say 'glad you're back!' and strengthen their relationship with us, lick the mouths of the adults as a greeting to stimulate them to regurgitate. The puppies eat this regurgitated food as they are weaned from their mother and begin to eat solid food. As the puppies grow older, the licking becomes a way of welcoming others back into the pack and increasing the bonds between the pack members.