Licking... good or bad?

My two also love my husbands scruffiness! They lick and try to pull it out. This also happens to be their favorite thing to do to wake Dad up in the mornings for their first walk of the day.

They could care less about my face unless I've just finished something delicious in which case they are not allowed! :wink2:
 
Being owner for a sheltie for just 3 days this is what I see in Mozart...he doesn't lick everybody that pets him or comes close enough to his face. But he would lick anyone he is familiar with that give him a good scratch. I prefer not to let him lick my face so won't know if he'd lick just about anything that comes within reach of his tongue. But my brother loves to do nose-to-nose with Mozart so he have lot of fun licking my brother's nose.
 
Mine used to love my beard. I thought maybe she was finding food and became self conscious. She still licks alot, especially when i come in from work. Usually get a bath when i come in. Just more arms/neck area.
 
When puppies are being weaned they will lick their dam's face and mouth, as well as any other dog that will allow it, for her to regurgitate food. Lick = something good. They transfer this behaviour to their caregivers and lick usually = petting or other good things. If we don't want them to lick then we have to refrain from a "good" response but instead, totally ignore the behaviour. Dominant dogs are less likely to be excessive with kissing their caregivers. I find it interesting that dogs learn many things without us realizing that we are teaching it. For example, dogs have to learn that when a human smiles at them it is not a threat. In the doggy world, another dog smiling is not something to be happy about. Well handled puppies learn this before going to their new homes but mill dogs often do not. Another example that I found interesting is dogs barking at doors when people arrive. Yelling at them to quiet is like joining them in yelling at whatever is provoking them and often encourages them to bark more. When I tried this on my own two it really did make the barking end very quickly. They still bark at the door for a few seconds and then stand there looking for my response.
 
My boy is the exact opposite. He doesn't lick really at all. I caught him once doing a lick and run but it was like an accident for him or something. :lol: When I give him hugs he's very curious and likes to shove his nose into whatever it is and sniff it to death! He gives Eskimo kisses and rubs his nose all over me (or his nose and mouth). Really don't know what to think about it!
 
I'm in the middle of reading a fascinating book that I was given at Xmas called Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know (great book, btw...I highly recommend it!)

On the topic of dog kisses and licking:

In the wild, pupplies like the face and muzzle of the mother when she returns from a hunt, anticipating her regurgitating her meal to them. Licking apparently stimulates her vomit reflex.

Also, in the wild, canines muzzle like and sniff to confirm who is coming to the den and also to confirm where they have been.

That being said, our faces smell and taste wonderful to dogs....salty, sweet, the garlic you ate at lunch, hhmmm! yummy smells to a dog! You just smell and taste good!

That being said, if this behaviour is allowed, it does actually turn into a ritualized greeting between you and your dog. That is, it really is just a way of saying hello!

All to say, that as long as the licks are accompanied by a wagging tail, and general excitement, its all good.
 
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