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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find dogs licking people’s faces a bit grim?

161 replies

betterthanbutter · 05/08/2018 19:27

Ok, firstly, I’m not a dog person, and I’m an emetophobe. Both of which might explain a lot!

We have a dog to stay with us this week (me and 2 DC, age 10 and 8). Dog is super cute, and the kids love her, which is great as they are not used to dogs at all and we were all a bit worried as to how the kids would get on with the dog.

However, they all like each other a lot, and there appears to be a mutual enjoyment of face licking. Including licking on their lips.

I feel rather 😱 about it all. My main concern is that it’ll make the kids ill. AIBU, or is that a genuine concern? I’m aware that with my emetophobia I’m prone to overestimating risk, hence posting here to get opinions on whether I’m BU or justified in my worrying.

What are people’s feelings on dogs licking kids’ faces?!

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 05/08/2018 19:30

I would certainly encourage the children not to let the dog lick their mouths and to wash their faces after. Explain to them how the dog licks it's arse and I'm sure it'll put them off. It's pretty grim imo.

SugarNyx · 05/08/2018 19:31

Makes me gag too - absolutely disgusting imo 😂

CherryBlossom321 · 05/08/2018 19:31

YANBU. It's vile.

NotSoThinLizzy · 05/08/2018 19:31

I don't like dogs licking my face or babies but I don't think you can get ill from it. I just don't like the feeling 😊

RobinEggs · 05/08/2018 19:32

It’s absolutely fucking rank. I don’t think I could have any respect for anyone who thinks this is an acceptable way to let your animal behave Envy

GooodMythicalMorning · 05/08/2018 19:32

I used to be the same but now i own a dog i dont mind it, disgusting as it may be! I Always wash straight after though.

ChipsAndMoreChips · 05/08/2018 19:32

Envy disgusting.

pictish · 05/08/2018 19:33

Dog lover here and I’m with you, it’s minging! Dogs’ mouths are absolutely foul and when i see someone letting their dog lick their face I’m all twisted up with cringe and disgust.

Having said that, when I was a kid I used to let our dog lick my face. No harm. Ever came to me as a result of it. Still yeuchhh though.

theymademejoin · 05/08/2018 19:35

You're going to get completely conflicting views here. Some people will reckon you might as well just inject the kids with bubonic plague and social services should be called immediately if you allow a dog's tongue within a foot of you child while others will tell you that dog spit is as amazing as unicorn tears and you're neglecting your children if you don't actively search out opportunities for dog licking.

Personally, I'm not a fan of being licked on the face but it's unlikely you will catch anything as, generally, dogs don't carry germs that people are susceptible to. I'd say personal preference really but maybe no harm to consider what has been in the dog's mouth.

theymademejoin · 05/08/2018 19:37

Hmm. Having seen the posts that went up while I was writing mine, maybe the unicorn tears opinion is in short supply......

RoseDog · 05/08/2018 19:38

Do dogs really lick their bums? I've never seen mine lick her bum! The cat on the hand EnvyEnvy

My dog doesn't really lick faces either, she will give me a kiss on the lips if I ask for one!

Slipp3rs · 05/08/2018 19:39

Don’t like it at all.

My aunties dog kept trying to lick my 2 year olds face. I picked my DD up and turned by back to the dog.

The dog bit me.

I was so shocked

theymademejoin · 05/08/2018 19:42

Do dogs really lick their bums?

Mine don't. I don't think they can. Male dogs do lick their balls though.

RoseDog · 05/08/2018 19:44

I don't think she can reach her bum either, she does occasionally lick her feet but the noise makes me irrationally angry and she stops as soon as I look at her!

DramaAlpaca · 05/08/2018 19:47

I've two dogs and I don't allow face licking. It's horrible.

Doggo1 · 05/08/2018 19:48

My rats eat food that's stuck in my molars.

I call them my roDentists

Aprilsinparis · 05/08/2018 19:48

I have dogs and love them with every inch of my being, but no way would I let them anywhere near any of my orifices.

lexer · 05/08/2018 19:52

It's a no-no. Dogs are not hygienic. They lick lots of stuff. I don't have a dog (now) as I realise how bad it is. ( In my 20s I my dog slept with me i my same bed...can't believe that now)

Jessiemay88 · 05/08/2018 19:53

Ew..yes they can get worms and other yuck bacteria of course (dogs faces go in all sorts not just their bums) you can worm the kids tho if u need so not actually end of the world

funinthesun18 · 05/08/2018 19:54

Ewww no it’s disgusting.

Jessiemay88 · 05/08/2018 19:54

Also some licking is affectionate and some is possesive

bengalcat · 05/08/2018 19:55

Dogs usually kick other dogs bums - yes having your face licked by a dog is a bit yuck but tbh humans carry more germs

FrazzledRockRed · 05/08/2018 19:58

My rats eat food that's stuck in my molars.

Sweet Jesus.

WomanInBoots · 05/08/2018 20:02

Apparently human mouths are more dangerous than dog mouths in terms of getting ill. Grin But I'm not sure if that just relates to treating bites or if licking counts too. I heard this many years ago so can't verify but it put me off snogging random in nightclubs.

I find dogs licking annoying rather than particularly gross. One if mine is bloody dreadful for it and I basically don't let him near other humans without much warning because it's horrible when it's not your own dog.

FuckKnuckle · 05/08/2018 20:11

Oh, well, in a very tiny minority here then. It doesn't bother me in the least - the dog's showing affection, I'm hardly ever ill so I think it's highly unikely that I've ever caught anything from a dog, and to be honest I'd rather be licked by my dogs than kissed by most people.