Why Do Dogs Lick You Before They Go to Sleep
Aug 21,2024 | puaintapets
If you’ve ever noticed your dog giving you a few licks before settling down to sleep, you might wonder why they do it. Licking is a common behavior in dogs and can serve multiple purposes, from showing affection to seeking comfort. Understanding why your dog licks you before bed can help you appreciate the bond you share with your furry friend. There may be multiple reasons why dogs lick people before bedtime.
Why Do Dogs Lick You Before They Go To Sleep?
Dogs lick for various reasons, and bedtime licking often has special significance.
Affection
One of the most common reasons dogs lick their owners before bed is to show affection. Licking is a way for dogs to express their love and bond with you. Just as a human might give a loved one a goodnight kiss, your dog may give you a few licks before they drift off to sleep as a way of saying, “I love you.”
Comfort
Licking can also be a self-soothing behavior for dogs, similar to how some people have bedtime rituals to help them relax. By licking you, your dog may be seeking comfort and reassurance before they settle down for the night. Your presence and touch can be calming for your dog, helping them feel secure.
Bonding
Bonding is a significant reason behind many canine behaviors, including licking. When your dog licks you before bed, they are reinforcing the bond between you. This behavior is rooted in their social nature, as licking plays a crucial role in the social structures of wild canines, where it is used to strengthen relationships within the pack.
Calming Mechanism
Licking can also serve as a calming mechanism for dogs. The repetitive action of licking releases endorphins, which can help soothe and relax your dog, making it easier for them to fall asleep. If your dog licks you before bed, it might be their way of unwinding and preparing for a restful sleep.
What Are the Parts Dogs Usually Lick When Licking People?
Dogs usually use different parts of their tongue and mouth when licking people. Depending on the information searched, the parts of a dog's mouth that are used to lick people may include.
Cheeks
Dogs licking their owner's cheeks is an intimate and friendly behavior that may be expressing affection or welcome.
Ears
Licking the ears may be a sign that the dog is showing favor or recognizing the owner's status.
Licking the soles of the feet
A dog licking the soles of his feet may be an attempt to get his owner's attention or to express a desire to play.
Hair
Dogs may lick their owner's hair, which comes from the behavior of a mother dog licking her puppy's fur to express affection.
Nose Tip
Licking the tip of the nose may be an expression of the dog's fondness and respect for the owner.
Palm
Dogs often lick their owner's hands, which may be an expression of gratitude or appreciation for their owner's behavior.
Mouth
Mouth licking could be a dog expressing curiosity, closeness or hunger for food.
Not only are these licking behaviors a way for dogs to express their emotions, but they may also be a means of trying to communicate with their humans. By licking people, dogs are able to convey a variety of messages, including love, trust, dependence, and seeking attention or comfort.
How to Respond to Your Dog’s Bedtime Licking?
How you respond to your dog’s licking can reinforce or discourage the behavior.
Encouraging the Behavior
If you enjoy the bedtime licks and see it as a sweet gesture of affection, you can encourage the behavior by responding positively. Pet your dog, talk to them softly, or give them a gentle scratch behind the ears to show that you appreciate the affection.
Discouraging the Behavior
If you’d prefer that your dog doesn’t lick you before bed, you can gently discourage the behavior. You can redirect their attention to a toy or offer them a treat that encourages a different behavior. Consistency is key—if you don’t want your dog to lick, avoid giving them attention when they do so, and instead reward them for other behaviors, like sitting calmly or lying down.
What Other Common Social Behaviors Do Dogs Engage In?
Dogs' social behaviors are not just limited to licking people; they also have a variety of ways to interact with their own kind and with humans. Here are some common dog social behaviors.
Barking directly at each other
Dogs can express themselves by varying the frequency of their bark, the length of their tone and the level of their voice.
Tentative circling
This is a greeting ritual between dogs, similar to the human handshake.
Sniffing each other's butts
Dogs use their sense of smell to understand each other's identity, mood and physical condition.
Licking each other's mouths
This behavior usually occurs between dogs who are more affectionate.
Ear Language
Dogs communicate concentration, curiosity, fear, or nervousness through the position and movement of their ears.
Peeing to gain territory
Dogs communicate territorial information through urine marking.
Expressing emotions with the tail
The frequency and state of tail wagging can communicate a dog's emotional state.
Also Read: Do Cats Control Their Tails
These behaviors help dogs build social structures, express emotions and needs, and interact with other creatures in their environment. By observing and understanding these social behaviors, humans can better communicate and build relationships with dogs.
What's the Downside of Dogs Licking People Excessively?
While licking people by dogs is a behavior that expresses closeness and friendliness, it can also have some potentially bad effects.
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Spreading bacteria and viruses
Dogs' mouths contain a variety of bacteria and viruses that can lead to infection if they lick a human wound or mucous membrane. For example, Canine Bite Carbon Dioxide Fibrophilus, a bacterium commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats, can cause sepsis in very rare cases, and can lead to organ failure or even death if the infected person does not receive prompt medical attention.
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Allergic reactions
Some people may be allergic to the proteins in their dog's saliva and may experience allergic symptoms such as itchy skin or difficulty breathing after being licked.
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Hygiene problems
Dogs may lick garbage or other unclean materials outdoors. These bacteria and parasites may be transmitted to humans through licking, especially if the person has a wound on the hand or face.
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Psychological effects
If a dog licks people excessively, it may be disruptive to a person's daily life and may cause discomfort or social embarrassment, especially in public or for those who dislike the behavior.
To minimize these potentially bad effects, it is recommended to maintain certain boundaries when interacting with your dog, avoid letting your dog lick the face or areas with wounds, and promptly clean the skin that has been touched after being licked. Also, educate your dog on appropriate behavior and reduce unwanted licking through training and positive reinforcement.
What to do Properly When Dog Licks People to Reduce the Risk of Infection?
When your dog licks people, you can take the following steps in order to reduce the risk of infection.
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Maintain personal hygiene
Immediately after being licked by your dog, wash the area of skin that has been touched with soap and water, especially around the face and mouth, to minimize the risk of spreading bacteria.
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Educate your dog
Through training and instruction, make sure your dog understands that licking is not a behavior that is encouraged. Say “no” in a firm tone of voice when your dog tries to lick, and communicate this through body language such as turning away or walking away.
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Offer Alternative Behaviors
Direct your dog to other activities, such as playing or carrying out training commands, to divert their attention and reduce the chance of licking.
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Clean your dog's mouth
Clean your dog's mouth regularly to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth, which helps reduce the risk of spreading bacteria through licking people.
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Keep a proper distance
Keep a proper distance and avoid direct contact when your dog is overexcited or may lick people.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy close interaction with your dog while protecting yourself from potential health risks!
How to Reduce Excessive Licking Behavior in Dogs?
Reducing excessive licking behavior in dogs can be done in the following ways.
Establish rules and boundaries
When your dog starts to lick you, avoid direct contact by turning away, removing your hand or face, and whispering “no” or “stop” to communicate that you don't like the behavior.
Distraction
If your dog tries to lick you, distract him with a toy or offer a snack to associate the licking behavior with a positive reward.
Positive Reinforcement
Give your dog attention and rewards, such as petting or verbal praise, when he is not licking to reinforce the non-licking behavior.
Training and Commands
Use training commands such as “sit” and “wait” to control your dog's behavior and reward him as soon as he obeys the command and stops licking.
Increase Physical Exercise
Make sure your dog has enough physical activity and mental stimulation to reduce licking behavior due to boredom or anxiety.
Pay attention to hygiene and health
Your dog's saliva may contain bacteria and excessive licking can lead to skin problems, so it is important to maintain personal hygiene.
Avoid Punishment
Don't discourage your dog from licking people by punishing them; this may lead to confusion or more anxiety, which can exacerbate the undesirable behavior.
Training through consistency and patience can be effective in reducing excessive licking behavior in dogs. It is important to be consistent in your responses and to consistently practice these techniques in your daily interactions.
How to Know if Your Dog is Licking Out of Normal Social Interaction or Physical Discomfort?
To determine whether your dog is licking out of normal social interaction or physical discomfort, you can differentiate by observing the following aspects.
Frequency and duration of licking
If a dog suddenly starts licking people frequently and consistently, this may be a sign that he may be trying to communicate some kind of discomfort or anxiety.
The part of the body being licked
If the dog is licking specific parts of the body, such as joints or the skin, this may be because these areas feel painful or itchy. For example, arthritis or skin conditions may cause a dog to lick to relieve discomfort.
Other Behaviors of Dogs
If the dog shows signs of restlessness, anxiety or depression in addition to licking, such as tail chasing, excessive grooming or behavioral changes, this may indicate a poor mental state.
Related: Dog Paw Licking: What It Means and How to Help Your Furry Friend
Dog's health condition
If your dog's licking behavior is accompanied by a loss of appetite, decreased energy or other signs of health problems, take him to the vet for a checkup.
Age of the dog
Older dogs may exhibit constant licking behavior due to cognitive decline, which can be one of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
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By taking into account the dog's behavioral changes and physical condition, you can more accurately determine the cause of the licking behavior. If there is any doubt, it is best to consult your veterinarian to rule out health issues.
FAQs
Why Dogs Licking People May Cause Allergic Reactions?
The reason why dogs licking people may cause an allergic reaction is mainly related to the proteins in your dog's saliva. When dogs lick people, their saliva may transfer these proteins to the human skin. If an individual is allergic to these proteins, redness, itching, and other allergic symptoms may occur upon skin contact. In addition, a dog's saliva may contain other substances, such as bacteria and viruses, and these may also be transmitted through licking people, causing skin infections or other health problems.
To reduce the risk of allergic reactions, it is recommended that dogs be bathed regularly to minimize the accumulation of allergens in saliva and dander. Also, avoid allowing your dog to lick the face, wounds, or other areas that are prone to sensitization. If an allergic reaction has already occurred, clean the area of skin that has come into contact with your dog's saliva and consult your doctor for appropriate treatment and advice.
Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick Before Sleeping?
Yes, it’s perfectly normal for dogs to lick before they go to sleep.
Common Behavior
Licking is a common and typically harmless behavior that many dogs exhibit, especially as part of their bedtime routine. For most dogs, this is a way to express affection, seek comfort, or engage in a soothing ritual that helps them relax.
When to Be Concerned
While bedtime licking is generally normal, excessive licking can sometimes indicate underlying issues such as anxiety, stress, or even medical conditions like allergies or skin irritations. If your dog’s licking becomes obsessive or if they start licking other things excessively (such as furniture or themselves), it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian.
How to Properly Treat Skin Scratches Caused by Dog Licking?
When a dog's licking causes a minor skin scratch, the following steps should be taken immediately.
Clean the wound
First, gently wash the wound with warm water and a mild soap solution to remove dirt and bacteria. You can use a cotton ball or gauze dipped in the cleaning solution, avoiding irritating substances that may harm the skin.
Stopping bleeding
If the wound is bleeding, use clean gauze or paper towels to apply light pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops.
Disinfecting
After stopping the bleeding, gently wipe the wound with a mild antiseptic solution such as povidone-iodine or hydrogen peroxide to destroy bacteria and prevent infection.
Protecting the wound
To prevent your dog from licking the wound, put an Elizabethan collar on your dog or use a clear protective collar to prevent your dog from further injuring the wound.
Observe the wound healing
While the wound is healing, check it regularly for signs of redness, swelling, increased discharge, inflammation or persistent bleeding. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention.
Supplemental Nutrition
Ensuring that your dog receives adequate nutrition during an injury will help the wound to heal.
Please note that if the wound is deep or large, if it is bleeding profusely, or if your dog is experiencing severe pain or lameness, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for professional treatment. Remaining calm and attentive is key when treating wounds to ensure they heal properly.
Why Punishment May Counterproductively Increase Licking Behavior in Dogs?
The reason why punishment may be counterproductive in increasing licking behavior in dogs has to do primarily with the dog's psychology and learning mechanisms. When dogs are punished, they may feel scared, confused, or upset, and these negative emotions may cause them to seek more comfort and attention, thus relieving their discomfort by licking people. In addition, punishment may interrupt a dog's ongoing behavior, but if the punishment is not immediate, the dog may not be able to associate the punishment with the previous licking behavior, and therefore punishment is not effective in reducing this behavior.
In some cases, the dog may interpret the punishment as attention from the owner, and even if that attention is negative, the dog may unconsciously reinforce the licking behavior by repeating the licking to get the owner's attention. In this case, instead of solving the problem, punishment may lead to an increase in licking behavior.
Therefore, when educating a dog, it is recommended to use positive training methods such as positive reinforcement and behavior shaping to encourage the dog to display the desired behavior rather than trying to eliminate the undesirable behavior through punishment. In this way, the dog can learn in an environment free of stress and fear, leading to more effective behavior change.
Conclusion
When your dog licks you before going to sleep, it’s often a sign of affection, comfort, and bonding. This behavior is a natural way for dogs to express their love and seek reassurance before settling down for the night. While bedtime licking is usually harmless, it’s important to be mindful of any excessive or compulsive licking, which could indicate underlying issues like anxiety or health problems. By understanding the reasons behind your dog’s licking behavior and responding appropriately, you can strengthen the bond you share with your furry friend and ensure their well-being.
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