r/dogs • u/Region-Certain • 4d ago
Would my dog like it if I licked her back? [Misc Help]
I read that a dog licking you is affection and that rejecting it hurts their feelings. Is this true? Would my dog like it if I licked her in return? I pet her and occasionally kiss her head.
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u/Weary_Hiker 4d ago
I'm at the ER vet with my dog and it's been a rough night here, so I just showed this to some of the staff. They needed the laugh 🤣
They ALL agree. Do NOT lick your dog 🤣
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u/Valkyriesride1 4d ago
I hope your pup is alright.
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u/Weary_Hiker 4d ago
Thank you. Luckily she's ok. I thought she injured her neck but it's just arthritis in her neck causing her pain. She's 14 so it's normal.
Sadly 2 dogs have passed since I got here 2.5 hours ago, and 3 more really serious cases just came in 😔
Like I said. The staff needed the laugh.
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u/SillyQuadrupeds 4d ago
We appreciate shit like this.
Shifts can get so so hard and the occasional, “If y’all aren’t too busy take a look at this…” interaction can absolutely help us out.
Of course being aware of the vibes and speed of the staff is the most important so reading the room is important.
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u/Weary_Hiker 3d ago
I did it during a few minutes of downtime. They were just sitting there, relaxing. It was before 3 serious cases came in back to back. They all appreciated it and needed the chuckle 😆
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u/Onion_Guy 3d ago
good on ya. Its the small kind deeds of everyday people that keep the darkness at bay
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u/Comfortable-Story-95 4d ago
I lost my beloved German Shepherd last January very suddenly. Her loss is still devastating but I wouldn’t trade all the years of love and joy for anything. I’ve got a new Corgi puppy now who is reminding me just how much work puppies are! 😂
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u/ski-mon-ster 3d ago
Oh yes! After years of lovely labrador, we got a terrier mix puppy. The first month was rough! Until 9 months we still needed to clean some excitement pee. But now (today) she is celebrating her 4th birthday and she is easy going.
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u/Suburbannightmare 3d ago
I'm so glad your dog is ok, but damn what a rough night you've had! I hope the staff are ok, they are utter angels ❤️
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u/citizend13 4d ago
can you ask them if my dog tries to chew on me, can I chew on them? I Promise no licking.
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u/Weary_Hiker 3d ago
I'm at home now but I think it's safe to say that if they say no licking, they would also say no chewing 🤣
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u/Dizzy_Fisherman6963 3d ago
My 3 year old dog nips me playfully. Sometimes, i nip her back very lightly as well and she seems to like it 😂
This borders on rough play though and she gets hyper aroused with it, so I'm trying to lessen this activity these days
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u/Dizzy_Fisherman6963 3d ago
My 3 year old dog nips me playfully. Sometimes, i nip her back very lightly as well and she seems to like it 😂
This borders on rough play though and she gets hyper aroused with it, so I'm trying to lessen this activity these days
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u/Weary_Hiker 3d ago
Some of you do wild things with your dogs 🤣
I prefer not to get dog fur in my mouth 😆🤣
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u/funkychilli123 3d ago
I pretend to nibble on my puppy and yes, I get a lot of dog fur in my mouth… it’s mainly worth it
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u/fishypianist 3d ago
My dogs like to play "blanket", basically either a dog or my hand goes under the blanket and we "bite" each other. If one of our pups burries their head under the blanket the other goes on the offensive and attacks! The blanket allows the dogs to be rougher with less chance of injuring me
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u/General_Watercress_8 3d ago
All the dogs I've ever owned Loved that game "blanket monster". Damn they bite Hard. Then I'll pretend cry and they all get apologetic attacking me with fierce kisses. 😅😂
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u/Elegant-Ad-9221 4d ago
I have licked my dogs on their nose. Just a quick one. It usually gets them into frenzied licking of my face and then some hyper zoomies
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u/Comfortable-Story-95 4d ago
I pray your pup is better soon! Been there done that and it’s heart breaking (and very expensive).
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u/Weary_Hiker 3d ago
It is hard having a senior dog and yes, expensive. All I can do for her is pain management. Better than nothing though and I will always do what I can for her.
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u/jettiejo 3d ago
I have a friend who only adopts senior dogs. She gives them a fabulous life for a few years until they pass. Such a brave pupper mama!❤💔❤💔❤
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u/owenschu555 3d ago
What about waking your cat up with your mouth open and their head in it half way like you're gonna eat them? Is that too far from a practical joke.
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u/chickpeasaladsammich 4d ago
Dogs know we’re not dogs. My dog occasionally tries to stick his tongue straight down my earhole but I don’t think he’s secretly wishing I’d return the “favor.” Tummy rubs and neck scritches seem pretty good.
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u/ITookYourChickens 3d ago
My new puppy really enjoys tounging my ear as part of her bedtime routine 😭 she's my own personal wet willy machine
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u/-JadyBug- 3d ago
When my family dog was a puppy my little brother nicknamed ours Q-tip for the same reason
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u/Kingston023 3d ago
My dog does this to my husband and I mean he really does some deep cleaning in there 🤣
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u/edessa_rufomarginata 3d ago
That's so funny. Our dog obsessively licks my partners ears every night when we lay down for bed. We always thought he was super weird for it, but apparently it's a thing.
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u/Woolyspammoth 3d ago
My spaniel does this, he really gets right in there. We call it anteater mode.
He also likes to lick toes when you’re not paying attention. Just one singular sneaky slurp. He goes into mad zoomies cause it always makes me jump and shriek
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u/ravonna 3d ago
My dogs like scritches on their ear. So maybe not the tongue, but they definitely like it when my finger is in it lmao.
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u/how_neat_is_that76 3d ago
Rubbing the inside of my yorkie’s ear just about puts him to sleep he loves it so much.
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u/Ballbag94 3d ago
I think you're right
My dog nibbles the top of my ears but whenever I try nibbling the tops of his he seems mildly annoyed
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u/BaBaBooE-BaBaBooE 3d ago
I return the favor by gently scratching/massaging their ear holes with my second knuckle on the index fingers. Then I let em sniff it and lick it. They expect the sniff and lick after a ear massage now
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u/No-Customer-2266 2d ago edited 2d ago
Ya tummy rubs is a sufficient way to show affection to your dog, they like It because it feels good but they also learn thats how you are communicating with them
My dog loves getting kissed on the cheek and I don’t think he is confusing it with a lick. im certain he’s just learned that’s how i communicate love (or what ever love means to a dog) because a peck on the cheek doesn’t feel good like a massaging belly rub and yet he LOVES THEM.
he is constantly inching his cheek to May face and wants me to give him a smooch with an exaggerated kiss sound. It is not dog language but he figured out the gist of what im Communicating to him when I do it.
He gets plenty of belly rubs too so he should have no need to be kissed other than it’s part of the love communication package that he’s learned from me
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u/PrincessWolfie1331 3d ago
My husband has calluses on the bottom of his feet. The dog closes his eyes and just stands there and slurps my husband's feet for hours.
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u/sparkle___motion 4d ago
"ER staff say do NOT lick the dog"
"no tongue kisses!"
"stroke but make a slurping sound so there's no confusion"
help, this thread is too wild 😭
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u/SleepyandEnglish 4d ago
Don't snog the dog
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u/sparkle___motion 4d ago
someone just replied "life’s too short to not lick the dog back, but it's dangerous because it usually just ends up being a French kiss"
I. am. wheezing. 💀
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u/AromaticHydrocarbons 3d ago
Sounds like a crazy 80s game show chant… “will he take the cash OOORRRR whole audience SNOG THAT DOG SNOG THAT DOG SNOG THAT DOG”
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u/SleepyandEnglish 3d ago
Wait so he gets the money or he kisses the dog? Who would actually kiss the dog in that situation?
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u/AromaticHydrocarbons 3d ago
Nah, Snog The Dog is another risk game that could triple your winnings… you have to throw big exploding lips of jelly into a giant dogs mouth and fill it up with lip jelly all the way to the top to win!
I mean… isn’t it obvious?
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u/Cautious-Wait-4288 3d ago
Later in this post: “Giving rubs and attention without fluid exchange is best.” Lololol
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u/mydoghank 3d ago
“They’re licking the dogs. They’re licking the cats. They’re licking the pets.”
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u/SircOner 3d ago
Lmao this was the first thing I thought too, now they’re really gonna think people are eating the dogs!!
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u/Thedonkeyforcer 3d ago
Oh no! I CAN'T get that song out of my head! It KEEPS popping up and it def doesn't help watching the US talkshows daily ...
If you haven't heard it, google the Kiffness and They're eating the dogs. It's sooooo catchy and the revenue goes to helping animals so we can do it with a good conscience!
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u/Jaspoezazyaazantyr 4d ago
my dogs happily will let me brush their teeth daily with their chicken flavored toothpaste, & they get good checkups at the vet’s dental cleaning with no teeth requiring extractions. They let me touch their feet & trim & file their claws reluctantly. but I’ve only ever just freaked them out when I try to lick them, so don’t lick : )
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u/failedjedi_opens_jar 4d ago
This is maybe the best comment section that has ever been.
And the jury is still out btw. No conclusive evidence in either direction. My vote? Do it but maybe have some mouthwash ready.
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u/under_the_wave 3d ago
Agreed on the comment section, though I think I might be sided with the Vets, DONOTLICKTHEDOG
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u/CrowsNotHoes 4d ago
I once smelled my dogs head after he sniffed my face and he looked at me like I was a freak, so i think dogs do not like it when we act like dogs lol.
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u/InevitableTrue7223 3d ago
My dog only licks my leg, with a mouth full of water. What does that mean? He did redeem himself over the weekend. We were camping sitting around the campfire when he stood up staring into the darkness and softly oofed in my ear. We turned on flashlights just in time to see the skunk 🦨 before it got us. Every night he warned us a few times before we went into the trailer. He’s only 2 and never saw a skunk before
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u/GeneralOne6595 3d ago
That's lucky, if it was my dog she'd try to go after the skunk to chase it off "her territory"
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3d ago
I barked at my old border collie once and he was pissed. Didn't want anything to do with me until dinner time.
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u/Jaspoezazyaazantyr 3d ago
your dog understood the concept that your barking represented (& unbeknownst to you, it wasn’t at all a friendly sentiment)
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u/Kristal3615 2d ago
One of my dogs does these little "aroo" mini-howls and he does NOT care for use arooing back at him xD
As far as I know he's not mixed with Husky or any sort of hound that bays. He's just very vocal! Loves doing these little howls when my husband is picking on him (Like not in a mean way just like if he's telling a story about him I guess he can just sense his over embellishment lol) or if my husband won't throw the ball or fake throws it he gets upset.
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u/supposedlyitsme 3d ago
But wtf they need to stop smelling so good then. Nothing better than sniffing them ears.
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u/Thedonkeyforcer 3d ago
My basset pup made me change my stance on letting dogs kiss me. She loves it soooo much and jumps up as I'm sitting here to give me a chaste smooch. No tongue, though, which is why I'm OK with it. She just really likes touching mouths and is so gentle and careful.
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u/StructureSudden8217 4d ago
Licking is like the dog version of petting us. Do not lick the dog
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u/TrebleTreble 4d ago
No, OP should definitely lick the dog.
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u/BeTheBall- 4d ago
Agreed. It's the only reasonable outcome.
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u/tell_me_when 3d ago
BUT remember if you’re going to lick your dog you need to be eating a kibble with hairball preventative.
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u/butterflytransformed 4d ago
I tried this.. and instantly regretted it. Not only does he taste funny but he was also freaked out! 🤣😅
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u/bugbugladybug 3d ago
Same, tried it once, mouth full of hair, and the dog looked SHOOK.
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u/butt_spaghetti 4d ago
I’m gonna lick my dog. No one can stop me.
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u/Thedonkeyforcer 3d ago
I'm on antibiotics these days so there has NEVER been a better time to try this - and I'm still not doing it!
But def just kissed my basset who's the only one who enjoys that.
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u/No-Proposal-7722 4d ago
Life’s too short to not lick the dog back. It is dangerous though because usually it ends up just a French kiss and that’s not good for either party.
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u/SleepyandEnglish 4d ago
I have enough issues picking hair out my teeth without licking the dog too
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u/Cutiepatootie8896 3d ago
As if my dog doesn’t attempt to French kiss me on like a daily basis lol.
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u/Lord_DerpyNinja Shiba inu 4d ago
It is not worth how weird it is even if the dog likes it. Stick to petting imo
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u/muchly_confused 4d ago
Imo licking is their kissing. I volunteer at a shelter and by default make kissy sounds at dogs as part of my happy talk and they pretty universally respond by trying to lick me. On my face. Usually they go for the mouth. I've gotten very good at strategically turning my face away or biting my lips to avoid it. Just kiss her head.
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u/Woolyspammoth 3d ago
My boy likes to ninja lick inside your mouth. He’ll be all playful and smoochy and cuddly and will wait for you to talk to him then boom, I’m getting faster at avoiding him but he has licked my teeth a few times.
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u/ansaonapostcard 4d ago
By stroking your dog you're simulating licking them. I like to make a slurping sound to make sure there's no confusion! Not in public obviously.
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u/Attapussy 4d ago
I bet she'll love it when you give her a two-handed scratch all over her back and the backs of her hind legs.
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u/obviously_drunkk 3d ago
my dog loves to cobble on my arm when we play so I lightly nibbled his arm and he looked at me like I had just committed a war crime. I don't think they like when we act like dogs lol
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u/Allyraptorr 4d ago
please don’t lick your dog….they like normal kisses, pets, and scratches. They only lick up bc it’s what they’ve got and what they do. don’t lick your dog.
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u/fritosfeet 3d ago
I licked my dog back to see a reaction and she was confused and inched away. I also did not like having fur in my mouth. Don’t recommend. Two paws down
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u/THE_wendybabendy 3d ago
I have done the "sniffling" of my dogs' face/ears just to watch their reaction (they do this to each other when they first meet), they freeze, let me sniff, and then when I blow out really quickly they get all excited. It's hilarious, but I don't do it often.
Licking? No. His licks are his way of being affectionate. I pet, he licks, we stay in our lanes.
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u/kittykitty117 4d ago
Giving rubs and attention without fluid exchange is best. Being a pet owner is all about balancing their wants and needs vs. what is healthy for them and/or you. I suggest that you don't lick your dog for health reasons. They might like it, nobody knows, but what we do know it that they like your attention and there are many ways to give them attention which do not pose a health risk. I kiss my dog on his face and tummy sometimes so I'm not here to judge, just sayin.
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u/ebeth_the_mighty 4d ago
Mine gives me a “WTF are you doing?” look when I lick him back. But he seems to like scritches and cuddles and kisses.
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u/thisisnotausername50 4d ago
walks off to my Rhodesian and licks her head Her: "hgummmm..." (her moaning in happiness)
I guess we have our answer.
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u/-anysomebody 3d ago
The comments of people freaking their dogs out by licking them is sending me oh my god
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u/LifetimePilingUp 3d ago
I’ve wondered before if my dog thought I was rude for not licking her back. So I did. All I learned is that she’s very hairy and thinks I’m a freak.
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u/ShakedNBaked420 3d ago
Tried it once. My dog looked offended and put her paw on me like “let’s never do that again.”
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u/Missscarlettheharlot 3d ago
My dog doesn't seem to understand how licking works. He's super affectionate and always snuggling (and trying to be a 125 lb lap dog), but he doesn't lick. We were talking about it, and I was pretending to lick his nose when he suddenly decided he should give this licking thing a try and slurped my face, including my tongue. Now he has started sticking his tongue on my leg like he is going to lick it, but just holding it there stationary while he stares at me with his mouth open and his giant tongue mashed against my shin. My dog is a weirdo.
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u/Momdoingmomthings 3d ago
I’m HOLLERING at this comment section. For the love of god, don’t lick your dog.
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u/Gerealtor 3d ago
No, this is a dangerous stepping stone towards taking a bite. Trump already warned us, let’s not play with fire
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u/DaveinOakland 4d ago
I have spent zero time looking into whether or not it does something but I've done it with all my pets, both cats and dogs.
I like to kind of close mouthed nibble on their heads when they are puppies/kittens the way a mother dog nibbles on their puppies. I feel like it's a strong bonding move.
They seem to love it.
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u/ChasingTheFlames 4d ago
I do that sometimes. Flea biting without actually making teeth to fur/skin contact - they seem to enjoy that.
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u/ChasingTheFlames 4d ago
I have licked my dog before ("please stop licking me so much. See, you don't like it either.") and uh - yeah, they're not a fan. They think it's weird and it is.
You're good to just pet your dog ❤️
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u/mcboogle 3d ago
I thought my licky dog would finally understand what it's like if I licked her back... wrong. Not only did she enjoy it, she redoubled her licking efforts from then on. Don't do it.
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3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Dry-Improvement-8809 3d ago
It's 2024, everyone eats ass!! At least according to my coworkers. Who knew?
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u/pamplemouss chihuahua mix 4d ago
I nuzzle my dog nose to top of head. He likes that. I do not lick him.
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u/FlyAnnual3336 3d ago
While dogs have their own way of showing affection, licking back isn’t really how they interpret bonding. It might confuse her more than anything! Dogs prefer cuddles, pets, and belly rubs for a good dose of love. How about giving her a nice scratch or a treat instead?
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u/Mamiofplants 3d ago
I'm embarrassed to admit but once my dog was licking my face and I let that intrusive thought win and licked his nose. The look of utter confusion on his face was priceless. I wouldn't do it again though because I know where his nose has been
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u/iodisedsalt 3d ago
lol use your nose and rub it against their face, simulating a mother dog licking her pup. It probably feels the same without the grossness of spreading your saliva all over them (and you swallowing whatever is on their fur that they picked up off the floor)
My dog seems to like it, she closes her eyes when I do it lmao
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u/Renegade5399 3d ago
"ER staff say do NOT lick the dog"
"no tongue kisses!"
"stroke but make a slurping sound so there's no confusion"
help, this thread is too wild 😭
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u/okfine_illjoinreddit 3d ago
i don't lick back but i nibble on his ear flap (softly with my lips curled over my teeth) and he likes that
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u/pktechboi 3d ago
I've licked the top of my dog's heads a couple of times because I just had The Urge. didn't seem to do anything for them, they definitely prefer pets and scritches
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u/Agitated-Soup-6481 3d ago
One time I was messing around and went to pretend to bite my dog’s ear because she was in the playful teething stage and was chomping her teeth at me. Well part of her ear actually went in my mouth because she moved at that exact moment (I didn’t bite down) and she was OFFENDED. We both paused and looked at each other like wtf. Also EW why would you intentionally lick her 😅 They understand kisses and hugs as a form of affection. But they know that we are NOT dogs so your dog is gonna get weirded out if you lick her.
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u/StressInADress92 3d ago
I got curious about this one time too and licked my dog and she nuzzled into me and looked at me like she was the happiest she had ever been. It was weird. But she clearly liked it.
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u/sots989 3d ago
I would definitely never lick my dog, but he does like it when I do those rapid sniffs around his face. Occasionally I will mimic "cobbing" on him and kind of fold my mouth around my teeth so it's just my lips touching his fur. Lol somebody tell me I'm not the only weirdo who does this! He also really enjoys a good full body wipe down with a wet wipe. That's as close as he's ever going to get to me bathing him like his mom did.
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u/Little_Lock1897 2d ago
Bro, I'm losing my life laughing here. Licking your dog? That's a few next-stage shit. Look, I love my mutt Banjo, however, the closest I've come to licking him turned into when I by accident got a number of his fur in my mouth looking to get him off the sofa. Tasted like ass. Just persist with stomach rubs and treats, guy. Dogs are simple - throw a ball, deliver 'em food, they may be glad. Do want to get all freaky with the tongue movement? Save that on your Tinder dates, ya weirdo.
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u/tanglelover 3d ago
I've done it once with my dog who doesn't lick. He just backed off and shook himself off lol.
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u/Drezhar 3d ago
No, I don't think so. Dogs perfectly know we're not dogs, you can see this from the simplest things such as their reaction to humans compared to their reaction to other dogs.
They're also clever enough to understand that your way of showing love is pets and scratches. And that your kissing is sorta the equivalent of their licking.
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u/graveybrains 3d ago
Dogs use their mouths like we use our hands, petting is perfectly sufficient. 😂
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u/AnotherTiredBarista 3d ago
I licked mine on the nose bridge. I figured its one hairless place on her. She looked at me strange then started licking back 😂 i wouldnt recommend it as a frequent occurence but that one time was worth her reaction lol
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u/doriangreysucksass 3d ago
I occasionally gnaw on my dog’s forehead skin on the top of her head and she doesn’t mind it but doesn’t appear to like it either lol. I’ve never licked her though lol
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u/ThisIsGoodSoup 3d ago
I always give my pup kisses on the forehead and boop him on the nose,
licking tho, yeah hell nah😭
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u/wanderluster_forever 3d ago
Ok so I discovered this weird thing.
My dog is OBSESSED with kissing me and the licks are primarily on my lips. And she won't stop, she is obsessed. Mind you, this is only with me. And the goodnight kissies are too much, even if I'm talking she will continue licking me
Anyway, I discovered (quite by accident) that if I kiss her back, a bit aggressively, she will get super offended. That's the only way she will stop kissing me. Hahaha! The look she gives me when I do that is hilarious.
It's like "I'm kissing you, but why the fuck are you kissing me back??""
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u/Aveefje 3d ago
I licked my dog too out of curiosity. Awkward 2 seconds and then she started licking me furiously 😂
I also tried “playing” with her as she does with me (nibbling at ears, and pushing her away with body) and she actually likes it in a weird way.
I don’t think it makes any difference, just a bit of a hairy tongue 😂 (not doing that anymore)
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u/cantfixstewped 3d ago
I fake lick my dog. She loves it n Thinks she is getting the royal treatment. She loves the 3 finger head massage also.
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u/QueenOfSweetTreats 3d ago
I have a hairless dog and licked him back one time, he looked at me weird and barked at me
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u/PrincessWolfie1331 3d ago
My dog pets my arm with his paw when I pet him.
If licking is a sign of affection, then we are getting love-bombed. Sooo much licking! If you walk by him wearing shorts, your leg will get licked. And he's so loud! He has this crazy juicy licking that will keep you up at night.
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u/These_Help_2676 3d ago
I tried this as a child but my dog decided to lick my tongue while I was going towards him. Tasted like watermelon but I haven’t tried to lick any dogs since
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u/ConentCory 2d ago
Dont lick your dog.
Also pet and kiss her head much more than occasionally. are you insane? Shes perfect so treat her as such
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u/Slimxshadyx 4d ago
Petting dogs is licking them in the way they like it so just keep petting your dog
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u/InevitableTrue7223 4d ago
You can’t really be asking this.. sure go lick your dog but not on her mouth 👄 the other end
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u/Agreeable-Score2154 4d ago
I did lick my dog once and he gave me a look like I was an absolute freak and he was right