to be revolted by the idea of a dog licking my baby's face?

[frisbyrat]

Dh has just come back from his parents', and mentioned that their dog (well, puppy really), was encouraged to play on the floor with the family baby when she was crawling, and lick her face. I was a bit horrified, tbh.

Now I'm certain that mil worms the dog regularly, and I know all about exposure to germs building up immunity, but we'll be going up there as a family in a month or so, and will be staying at the in-laws' with our ds (7 months). I know I'll be expected to let the family dog "make friends" whenever he's crawling around - and he's a wriggly, never-still sort of boy too, so holding him isn't an option.

Am I being precious? I'd like some opinions before I decide whether to broach the subject with dh.

Immunity, fine - but I reckon ds gets plenty of exposure to germs every time we get on a crowded bus here in Sarf London. And I have a real problem with the whole walk-the-streets-barefoot-and-then-lick-those-feet, lick-your-own-arse aspect of dogs. Don't flame me - I'm not a dog hater! Had a series of them during my childhood, but would never have dreamt of letting them lick my face. Ewwwww!

I've not read your OP or any of the thread, but from the title I can categorically say that YANBU.

YANBU. Licking is a social habit for dogs - an affirmation of affection and social status within the 'pack'. However, that is not to say it is acceptable by us humans! Dogs can be trained not to lick children. DS occasionally suffers a lick from our dog, but dog is reprimanded and a wet flannel helps remove the worst! - we are in the process of training her not to lick!

Certainly, licking should not be encouraged. I would ensure your DS is supervised whilst with your in-laws pup. Pups can nip and be over boistrous during play too.

One of my ds's (2.6 years) most memorable moments this year will be hearing him say, "Need a tissue." during a horrendous cold, followed closely by, "Thank you dog.". When I turned around, his nose had generously been cleaned by our puppy [boak emoticon]

No, licking face is not acceptable. I wouldn't be bothered if the odd lick gets through but it's certainly not to be encouraged . Just make it clear when you visit that you don't like it.

dogs lick their own bums i would not want a bollock slurping pooch licking my wee one face

Dogs mouths are not clean. A dog bite is one of the worse sort to get as far as infection goes. My husband got bitten and had to have huge doses of antibiotics so its a complete myth about the dogs mouths being cleaner than clean. I have dogs and don't let them lick the childrens faces. Obviously over time they have had the odd lick in passing but I would never sit there and watch them lick a childs face and my dogs have certainly tried. Seriously, what would MIL do if you rushed into the house and licked her all over the face. Why would anyone think that its OK if a dog does it.

My DD is 2, she is always snogging the dog - what can i do - they love each other, i do cringe but he gives her a proper sloppy all over face wash - she is hardly ever sick.

I dont think i would be happy at 7m though, its not an issue is it, could you not just say "oooh, i really dont like the dog to lick dds face, im really precious about that sort of thing, sorry" I know you shouldn;t have to apologise but you certainly wouldnt offend me if you were in my house, but then i would probably put my dog outside if you came around with your child because he would leap all over her and she would get the same wash treatment

Alistair, it isnt really known why dogs eat their own poo - mine used to do this (yuck0. It could be a nutritional thing, but often it is thought to be a stress behaviour. The big long word is copraphagia (better than shit eater i think). The thing to do if you have a poo eater is add a few pineapple chunks to their food - i have no idea why, but it makes their poo taste disagreeable to them - it works!!

Thanks, LEM.

Was thinking of a new range of totally organic dog treats. Really cheap to make, lots of different flavours, colours etc but after your explanation, not sure it would be a goer really.

totally organic dog treats !

It's a niche market but I reckon Waitrose might go for it.

Thankfully my dog doesn't eat poo (his own, or other animals!) but lots do - I don't know why.... Maybe it just is a tasty snack but I'd reckon it might have more to a diet deficiency?

I don't think it's really acceptable for you to be expected to allow your DS to have his face licked... what does your DH think?

I adore my dog, but certainly wouldn't expect him to be allowed to lick a child....
Microwaveonly - - My dog can do kisses... If you ask him for a kiss, he will bump you on the nose..... haha! I am that nutter!!

Personally, I'd kiss my dog sooner than a lot of humans!!!

Dogs mouths are not clean.

And their saliva certainly doesn't have healing properties!

When I worked in A&E there were 2 situations when we would give prohylactic antibiotics for bites - dogs and humans. No other animals. I imagine there is a reason for that

YANBU - I am not precious about germs but think dogs licking babies' hands and faces is gross. You might as well let the baby go and lick the toilet.

I brush my dogs teeth - he has a canine toothbrush and meat flavoured toothpaste (I am guessing without fluoride, because I haven't taught him to spit out yet! )

Have no idea if this helps with bacteria, but it does make his teeth whiter and keeps his breath fresher (it's still dog breath!)

as a dog owner and an nurse, i know that human bites are far worse than dog bites due to the bacteria in human mouths. having said that i wouldnt be happy about my dogs licking DS's face.

i would add that my dogs lick the food off DS's hands and he pats them (has been know to suck their ears when he can) and he is the healthiest child around never getting colds/coughs/d&v.

I think the key here is, though, that a dog shouldn't be actively encouraged to lick a baby's face (which seems to be what is being suggested by the OP)

As someone said earlier, licking is a pack animal thing and the dog shouldn't feel it's his right to do that.........

So, regardless of hygiene, personal feelings about dogs, etc., I still think the OP is NU to not want her DS's face licked

YANBU , it's disgusting , yuk

YANBU. [shudders at thought of yucky dog saliva emoticon]

in our house - yucky dog saliva = Bob Flob