Many dogs love to lick faces. This behaviour starts in puppyhood. In the wild, canid puppies lick the mother’s face and mouth to encourage her to regurgitate food and this behaviour is still seen in our pet dogs. Though there might be a scent element to the behaviour too.
At a visit recently, the rather gorgeous Border Terrier kept trying to lick my face. I don’t particularly like that and have always discouraged my own dogs from doing it, but it’s common for dogs to try it on.
Does your dog give you doggy kisses?
Many dogs love to lick faces. This behaviour starts in puppyhood. In the wild, canid puppies lick the mother’s face and mouth to encourage her to regurgitate food and this behaviour is still seen in our pet dogs. I suspect there might also be a scent element to the behaviour, too.
But recently some experts have warned that letting a dog lick your face could spread superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics.
Why do dogs like liking faces?
Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Lisbon took regular poo samples from people, dogs and cats. This research showed that pets and owners share bacteria with one another. They also found a number of both pets and humans were carrying ‘bacteria of concern’ – this including bacteria that had developed resistance to antibiotics.
Dr Juliana Menezes, the study lead author, said to The Canine Times: “Previous studies have linked the close contact factors between pets and their owners to the sharing of bacteria (whether resistant or not). These risk factors include kissing, licking the owner’s face or eating from the owner’s plate. To reduce the spread of these bacteria within the household, it would be necessary to reduce this close relationship between the owners and their pets, and also to have greater hygiene practices.
It’s critical that dog owners practice good hygiene
Transmission of bugs generally occurs via the ”faecal-oral” route in dogs and in humans, so prevention is all about good hygiene practices.
Make sure you always wash your hands after collecting dog waste, and even after petting your dog. Clean any licked plates well in hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
And wash your face well after any doggy kisses.
Keep training and stay safe,
Carol
PS Does your dog do things you don’t like? Ask us for help for any training issues or behaviour problems.
