When observing a dog’s behavior, it is important to be attentive to actions that may indicate aggression or friendliness, such as the act of one Dog licking another’s mouth, which can occur during any interaction between dogs.
When a dog licks another dog’s mouth, it is important to observe the recipient’s reaction, their body language, and the context of the situation, such as whether there is chaos or calm and if any provocation has occurred.
Why do Dogs Lick other dogs’ mouths?
Observing the dogs’ interaction and evaluating the context of the circumstances, as well as considering their temperaments, is crucial in determining whether a dog licking another dog’s mouth is positive or negative.
Dogs have multiple reasons for licking other dogs, including their mouths, and while puppies typically only lick their mother’s mouth, there are various explanations for why adult dogs choose to lick each other’s mouths instead of their ears or genitals.
Puppies lick their mothers in the mouth as a sign of need.
When wild dog puppies greet their mother after a hunting trip, they lick her mouth as a signal for her to regurgitate some of the food she has already digested, which helps them fill their bellies since they are not yet capable of chewing and digesting large chunks of meat.
When domesticated canines switch from liquid to solid food, they may lick other dogs’ mouths as a way of showing respect and trust towards them, indicating that they can rely on them for their needs. Additionally, puppies may lick their mother’s mouth to seek attention or affection.
Dogs lick each other in their mouths as a sign of affability or affection.
It is a canine’s way of conversing, much like you would with another person. If your dog is licking another pup in the mouth, she may be trying to form a connection with her pals or converse with those she has already befriended. Licking produces endorphins in dogs that make them feel good, so don’t be shocked that it is a frequent behavior of canines.
If dogs are being sociable, licking each other’s mouths could indicate that they are seeking a playmate. Your dog might be licking as a way of asking, “Would you like to play with me?”
Dogs lick other dogs to investigate them as they relate to themselves.
Dogs use their noses and mouths to explore and examine their surroundings. If they can’t gather enough information through their sense of smell, they will resort to licking, particularly when it comes to food. When one dog licks another dog’s mouth, it is a means of discovering what the other has eaten and what might be available nearby for themselves.
Dogs lick other dogs because they can detect many kinds of illnesses.
Dogs possess an exceptional sense of smell that enables them to detect different conditions in humans, including mouth odors resulting from periodontitis and scents that lead them to the trail of diverse cancer types.
If a dog licks another dog’s mouth frequently, it could indicate that the latter has some underlying health problem.
When a dog wishes to demonstrate deference to another dog they consider stronger and of higher social status, they may lick the other dog’s mouth as a sign of respect, indicating that there is no competition and that the other dog is in charge; typically, the submissive dog will approach from beneath the dominant dog’s chin.
The assumption that dogs lick each other’s mouths is based on observing their behavior towards one another, where some dogs display pride, confidence, or humility.
One theory suggests that dogs lick each other’s mouths due to the presence of pheromones, which can be detected by the Jacobson organ (also known as the vomeronasal organ) in a dog’s nasal cavity. This area is rich in sensory cells and dogs are known to release pheromones from their labial (lip) area.
Is it OK if my dog licks my other dog’s mouth?
When one dog licks another dog’s mouth, it is typically a positive behavior that indicates respect, affection, or friendliness, so there is usually no need to worry if your dog engages in this activity.
It is only negative when the dog being licked no longer wants it, which can be indicated by certain behaviors. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor their interactions and intervene if necessary.
How can I get my dog to stop licking my other dog?
If your canine frequently licks other dogs’ oral cavities, you might want to discourage the behavior. In that case, here are some useful tips.
Have the recipient see a veterinarian.
Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and may be able to detect illnesses in other dogs through licking their mouths. This could indicate an undetected medical issue such as periodontitis or even a more severe condition like cancer.
Redirect her to an alternate behavior.
When your dog tries to lick another dog’s mouth, redirect her attention by giving a command like “stave” and steer her towards a different activity, such as playing with her own toy, and reward her when she follows your command.
Watch for signals from the other dog that he’s aggravated.
If the pup being licked is attempting to turn his head, yawning, trying to move away, baring his teeth, or growling, he may be getting irritated with having his mouth licked. While most canines give a warning before they bite, not all do; thus, if your canine persistently licks the other dog and won’t stop, it’s likely best to separate them.
Furthermore, it is advisable to separate dogs when you are not present to supervise them. You can utilize closed doors or baby gates to ensure their safety during your absence.
Consider a consultation with a dog behaviorist.
If you are struggling to address the issue, it might be beneficial to consult a professional dog behaviorist who specializes in retraining dogs and can likely assist your dog.
You can also check this YouTube video about this topic:
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[Wikipedia] [Encyclopedia Britannica] [National Geographic] [cdc.gov] [Purina]
