To allow my dog to lick my face (sort of light hearted)

[user1492877024]

DM visited this afternoon and was disgusted that I allowed Ella (newly acquired dog (lurcher) to greet me by giving me a full face wash (lick). I always allow her to do this followed by a big cuddle. I do of course follow this up with a full face wash. AIBU to allow this? Does anyone else do this? Does anyone know why dogs do this?

Why do dogs do it - probably because they get a desirable reaction from you when they do
You laugh, you stroke them, you show them you like and approve of what they are doing

Dogs very rarely lick each other (save for mums and pups but that’s for specific purposes) so it will be a learned behaviour for your dog
And one that can be un-learned

Urgh. It's been licking it's arse. Would u let your partner lick your face if you knew they'd just licked their own arse hole?

The day I saw my dog licking his fresh poo is the day I stopped him licking ANY part of me or my kids. It's sick and disgusting!

My dog eats fox poo. He has never been allowed to lick a face for this reason.

ConciseandNice

That's a very strange question. Why on earth would I be a vegan?

I will let anyone try to get out of my house without soggy kisses from our dog!

sparechange

Thanks for answering sparechange.

Our puppy isn't much of a licker. She'll flick her tongue at our hands from time to time, but that's it. Who knows where that mouth has been!

You just pointed out that another pp wasn't an animal lover. I assumed you must be a vegan, as you are presumably an animal lover. If not, just a dog lover?

Love animals, had a childhood dog but I think dogs licking your face is vile. The same tongue that would have profusely licked it’s genitals 5 minutes before?

Dogs are notorious for enjoying nasty smells so would happily explore fresh shit/vomit, drink from a toilet, mess with god knows what while outside. Would rather not have that all over my face thanks x

A serious question, does anyone know why dogs do this?

It goes back to their puppyhood. Puppies and fox and wolf cubs etc, lick at the faces (and in particular the mouths) of the adults as a way of "asking" them to regurgitate half-digested food for them to eat. In pack dogs it continues into adulthood as a bonding mechanism i.e. it is a way of maintaining family affections and welcoming each other - a bit the way we give our kids a kiss when they come in from school etc.

The dog does it to you in the same way - it is to form and maintain a bond within your "pack".

(Cats do a similar thing when they "suck and paddle" your jumper - it is a kittenish behaviour that continues into adulthood.)

HighburyHattie

Fair enough. Thanks for answering. I feel disgusted with myself now. I guess i'm just soft.

Eww, I'm a dog lover and adore my savage dog but I do avoid letting her lick my face. She's not especially disgusting but she does love a good lick of her genitals.

Very very occasionally I'll say "Gimme kisses" and she'll touch the tip of her tongue to my forehead, but isn't something I actively encourage. She does like a sweaty head though, she has been known to pin DH to the floor and lick sweat off him. He screams and rushes to the shower.

I believe puppies greet their mother with licks around the mouth - didn't it start with mother wolves regurgitating for their young?

Hey SchadenfreudePersonified, a genuine thanks for that insight.

Cross-posted Schadenfreude. Knew I'd read that somewhere!

"Do you not know how much bacteria there is in a dogs mouth?"

I do!

Approximately the same number of species of bacteria as would be in a human mouth. About 600 species of bacteria in a dog's mouth, very few more in a human's.

Would u let your partner lick your face if you knew they'd just licked their own arse hole?
I'd be too busy on the phone to Britain's Got Talent

Walnut 😂😂😂

You're welcome

My dog used to eat shit. There is no way in hell I’d let her lick my face. How disgusting.
We once saw a woman eating an ice cream and letting her dog lick it then she’d have a lick and so on. I was nearly sick.

Great minds BillDavey's

Great minds . . .

My dog isn't much of a licker, but he will give us a kissy lick on the nose occasionally. He eats all sorts of stinky things when he is on an off-lead walk but I don't care!

Nope. I adopted my dog and I think his previous family must have allowed/encouraged him to lick as he is most put out when we refuse his advances. He'll even lick your arms/hands if you don't spot him creeping up in time . Hard work trying to train him out if it.

My cat does it all the time. I just couldn't turn her away when she's showing such affection. And it's great exfoliation!

Eh, it’s a bit grim but not terrible. My dog would love to lick my face but he also loves licking his balls.