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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:
tabulahrasa · 05/08/2018 22:02

The thing is you share germs with anything living in your house with you, so I’ve never understood why face licking is realistically any worse than licking anything else and then you touching it...

Also, I’ve never owned a dog that could reach to lick its own bum, nor do they lick each other’s, they do sometimes sniff each other’s, but not lick them!!

Getting licked on the face feels horrible though.

Itchytights · 05/08/2018 22:06

YANBU it’s disgusting.

They lick their own arses smell other dogs arses etc.

Ewwwwwwww.

GunpowderGelatine · 05/08/2018 22:21

YANBU, it's rank. I also don't know how people let their dogs sleep in the bed. The thought of a dogs arse in your face as you sleep 🤢

keyboardkate · 05/08/2018 22:28

Each to their own and all that, and this is not in the pet's corner section so I presume we may speak freely?

Dogs licking you are the least of your worries. There is walking, shitting, peeing, hair drops everywhere and vet fees galore. Same with fucking cats. And the doggie/cat smell that non owners can get in an instant. Sorry now, but we do no matter how clean your house is.

I honestly do not know how anyone can have a dog or cat INSIDE their house. Really, the smell and the hairs make me gag, alongside the fact that the owners think everyone should love their pets. Oh dear.

I know I will be ganged upon for saying the above, but surely everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Jesus, dog kissing, licking and sleeping on your bed. What fresh hell is this please.

Tink1990 · 05/08/2018 22:33

I absolutely love dogs but no, would not like them licking my face at all!

9amTrain · 05/08/2018 22:36

Yanbu. fucking disgusting.

PeanuttyButter · 05/08/2018 22:38

Are you my grandma by any chance? She was banging on about that today at Sunday lunch. At the end of the day I figure I’ve been in contact with worse with what can be found on money etc to worry about a bit of dog spit

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 05/08/2018 22:42

How is having a dog in the house disgusting?

Ucantarguewistupid · 05/08/2018 22:43

Some women suck men off - & swallow, some men go down on women. Some humans get off on kissing and shitting on each other, some drink their own piss. Some humans even lick each other's arses - and then kiss afterwards. Without rinsing their mouths out. Some humans snog each other & swallow each others saliva despite knowing our mouths are full of bacteria. Dogs must think we're fucking grim too. Each to their own. But if you do even one of the above - bit hypocritical of you to judge others who let their dogs lick their face.

geekone · 05/08/2018 22:51

Puppies lick at their mother's mouth to get them to regurgitate food.

Not the only reason dogs lick. When packs are in the wild the lack greet the alpha (1 male 1 feamale) by licking their face the alphas allow this. If your dog doesn’t lick your face or try too you are not precieved to be the alpha which can be very stressful if a non alpha type is forced to being an alpha.

Very very submissive dogs will like anyone. My dog will give us a quick lick (followed by me giving my face a wash). This doggy is just showing you that it is submissive to you the alpha and food provider.

Dogs don’t lick their bums. Unless there are suddenly contortionist dogs.

geekone · 05/08/2018 22:52

female not feamale duh!

geekone · 05/08/2018 22:54

@Ucantarguewistupid let’s not be prejudice here some men suck men off and some women go down on women Grin 😉

PaintBySticker · 05/08/2018 22:54

It’s repulsive to me. I like dogs but not in that way.

GameofPhones · 05/08/2018 22:58

mineofuselessinformation licking the mother's mouth for food could well be the origin of human kissing, as well.

sonarbear · 05/08/2018 23:00

Before getting a dog I thought the same. But now that we have my boy his kisses (and those big brown eyes staring up at me) make everything better. And he doesn't lick his arse, physically impossible.

keyboardkate · 05/08/2018 23:02

Chardonnay,

Dogs in a house smell, moult, fart and take over. In other words, ..... I wouldn't visit that house to see a few dogs prancing around being mollycoddled at all. I hate when I get up from the sofa that I have hairs all over me yuk.

They fkn smell you see, and might bite me or hate me and growl. You never know with dogs do you? And as for cats. Well very sorry but they have maids. I'm looking at you cat maids there lol!

Now babies and children are another matter altogether, I luv em! They are human.

MyLifeInTheSunshine · 05/08/2018 23:05

I’m a very, very non judgemental person about most things and have fairly low standards...but I find people who let their dogs lick their faces or who kiss their dogs absolutely disgusting. I judge. I judge harshly.

Penguin34 · 05/08/2018 23:09

I wouldn't want someone else's dog tongue near me and I always thought it was disgusting till I got my own and she gives me a kiss. I don't let her lick all over my face tho but she does to my husband.

She doesn't lick her arse tho, she's a lady!

..just her feet and fanny

sonarbear · 05/08/2018 23:12

I feel sorry for people who find dog inherently disgusting. My house is spotless, we even used to rent it out for photoshoots/tv stuff. Anyway, the unconditional love/loyalty my dog has given me on a daily basis more than compensates for the odd paw print. I find humans and our behavior far more disgusting.

keyboardkate · 05/08/2018 23:26

sonarbear,

There is no need to feel sorry for those who do not have total love for dogs and cats at all. I often feel that SOME animal lovers prefer their pets over other humans. Might be just me though.

Maybe if you understood the reasons why some of us just do NOT like animals (but don't hate them), and accept that everyone is different would be a start.... Not everyone loves dogs cats rabbits terrapins or whatever. We are all different.

Each to their own.

I still dislike visiting houses where there are dogs and cats. Sorry, the animals take precedence (and they fkn smell and shed hairs) and the visitor is often obliged to enjoy the animal, as the owner thinks they are brilliant. Sorry, doesn't work for me at all.

Give me a baby or a child any day.

SJN71 · 05/08/2018 23:36

I also think it's gross. I have a small dog and love him to bits but never let him lick our faces. My mum let's him lick her face and I think it's disgusting. When I mention it she says "I don't mind, I'm too old to worry about germs ". Fair enough but don't then try to kiss my baby's face afterwards!!

Sallystyle · 05/08/2018 23:53

It doesn't bother me at all. I won't have dogs licking my mouth of course but I'm fine with the face.

Dhalandchips · 06/08/2018 00:00

Makes me chunder the thought of the dog licking me or the kids. He eats his own shit! My ex SIL let's her digs during the dregs of her coffee out of her cup. I refused a cuppa there after I saw that the first time bork

Dhalandchips · 06/08/2018 00:01

Wtf!! Lets her dogs drink the dregs...

keyboardkate · 06/08/2018 00:05

Gotta go now after reading that about the dog drinking the coffee and eating its own shit.

Bwoak.