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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:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 06/08/2018 14:40

I'm a dog owner who lets my dog sleep in my bed - under the covers is his preferred position. I'm also not particularly obsessed with cleanliness; I don't live in a pit, but it's not my main concern either.

Having seen where my dog's mouth has been, even I draw the line at "face kisses". DDog still tries to sneak them in from time to time - usually when I've just eaten and my breath smells like dinner...

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 06/08/2018 14:44

I ought to add that half the reason I don't let DDog lick my face is because I don't want my make up ruined Blush

HollyBollyBooBoo · 06/08/2018 14:46

Massive dog lover here but I hate dogs licking faces, so grim!!

sunflowersinthesky · 06/08/2018 14:47

YANBU it is absolutely vile and disgusting.

theymademejoin · 06/08/2018 15:16

but he's presumably like most dogs and licks other dogs bottoms.

I have never seen a dog lick another dog's bum. Sniff, yes. Lick, no.

firehousedog1 · 06/08/2018 15:19

Some people seem to treat dogs, and pets in general, as like they are human. I find it odd, and this is coming from a vegetarian and animal lover.

rosamundhopelovesdogs123 · 06/08/2018 15:46

There are killer germs on door handles, supermarket trolleys and public loos. Not saying I apply my mouth to any of these but if you get too obsessed about avoiding germs you would never leave the house.

Also, it's now believed that growing up with dogs confers you with stronger immunity - when that report came out I had a couple of helicopter parents, usually surgically attached to wet wipes asking if their kids could hang out with my dogs

Either way, I couldn't be less bothered from the odd dog lick on my face or the effects of them licking our dinner plates. In my experience, it's those obsessing about hygiene the most who are always coming down with something.

keyboardkate · 06/08/2018 20:09

Humans are human. That is the difference. Every other creature is made for nature not domestication, and they never will.

keyboardkate · 06/08/2018 20:11

*be fully domesticated ever. You just have to look at the way SOME dogs turn and actually kill people.

Dogs and cats were once ferile wolverines and tigers.

Humans have tried to domesticate them. It doesn't always work out though.

LEMtheoriginal · 06/08/2018 20:16

@aurynne i don't know but i would have thought relatively few if any as most peoe worm regularly.

Personally i enjoy a good doggie snog but i wouldnt allow them to luck my kids faces.

keyboardkate · 06/08/2018 20:18

Can you imagine a human obliged to live in an animal only environment? Yes think about it, would you like it? Would you like to obey the laws of the animal kingdom even though it is not natural for you?

Opposite is true for dogs, cats etc in a human/domesticated environment. It is totally unnatural for those animals.

But there is lots of money to be made from breeding dogs/cats, and there are lots of illegal puppy farms for those who are mugs in this game. In my opinion of course.

Animal lovers does not ring right with me at all in that game.

RideOn · 06/08/2018 20:35

I think having a dog around is probably good for the immune system. Licking faces however is too far.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 06/08/2018 20:41

Humans are human. That is the difference. Every other creature is made for nature not domestication, and they never will.

What does this ever mean?

They never will what?
How is every other creature made for nature? Every creature other what?
Who made them?

What are you on about?

keyboardkate · 06/08/2018 20:52

Chardonnay, sometimes posting on a phone can be difficult. If you had read on, you would have seen the remainder of my original comment. Thanks.

BlackType · 06/08/2018 20:55

Fellow emetophobe here, but I grew up with dogs and have no concerns at all. A pack of them used to wake me up for school by jumping on my bed and licking inside my mouth. It never occurred to me that it was a problem. And to say I'm an emet, I have v'd about 5 times in my entire life, most of them in infancy. I suspect I'm immune.

TillyTadpole · 06/08/2018 23:11

*Can you imagine a human obliged to live in an animal only environment? Yes think about it, would you like it? Would you like to obey the laws of the animal kingdom even though it is not natural for you?

Opposite is true for dogs, cats etc in a human/domesticated environment. It is totally unnatural for those animals.

But there is lots of money to be made from breeding dogs/cats, and there are lots of illegal puppy farms for those who are mugs in this game. In my opinion of course.

Animal lovers does not ring right with me at all in that game*

Umm... What? This is a thread about dogs licking faces. What you on about? I'm lost..

KarlDilkington · 06/08/2018 23:16

I kiss all my animals on the mouth and get licks in return. Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, alpacas... who cares about a few germs? I certainly don't, id rather have furry smooches.

GoodHeavensNoImAChicken · 06/08/2018 23:20

It’s grim, I agree with you. Your DC may not get ill but that’s not the point. I wouldn’t want a human/any other animal licking my face either - it’s invasive. (I love dogs, just not this particular habit!)

Ontheboardwalk · 06/08/2018 23:42

Dogs and cats have their mouths everywhere and in everything - grim.

My cat licks my elbow, that’s fine with me, anything else just nasty

Hayles88 · 06/08/2018 23:53

It's disgusting. Completely disgusting.

Hayles88 · 06/08/2018 23:55

I wish people would train their dogs not to lick or if they can't be controlled keep them on a lead. It's vile being licked by some strangers dog when you're walking through a park/sat on a bench etc.

Mrsramsayscat · 06/08/2018 23:58

Is it really not pleasant.

WTFnnoh · 07/08/2018 00:02

Even as a dog lover and owner I’ll admit it is pretty rank. However. It’s been seven+ years. The dogs have licked my face (not that I encourage it but sometimes the odd stealth lick gets by the defences) and I haven’t always washed my face and hands immediately after and I’ve not died or gotten sick.

Don’t worry too much. Practise basic hygiene and be sensible and all will be fine.

Dotty1970 · 14/09/2018 11:10

I think it's absolutely disgusting.
I don't allow our dog to lick anyone, even skin, this way he knows where he stands as such and doesn't get confused, if you get near his face he doesn't even attempt it.
If you allow it you may as well just lick your dogs a*se, would you do that?
you vertually are anyway.. vile.
I have even see people allowing their pets to lick there babies when the baby can't even get away from it... horrendous people obviously lacking a significant amount of brain cells.
It's pathetic how people say "he's kissing me".

IrianOfW · 14/09/2018 11:26

"Humans are human. That is the difference. Every other creature is made for nature not domestication"

We were not 'made' for domestication. I don't even understand what you mean by that. We evolved from 'natural' apes. Do you really thing we evolved to have special unique genes that made us crave wallpaper, hot running water and duvets?

Humans are animals. That is a simple fact. Just like all other animals. I find the desperate need to place us in a totally different category to all other living creatures really weird and a bit unhealthy.