Do dogs love kisses

Do Dogs Like Kisses? What Your Pets Behavior Might Be Telling You

We kiss and cuddle to show affection and naturally we want to do the same with the dogs we love. Yet kissing is not a natural part of doggie behavior. When dogs lick your face back, this isnt always a sign of returning affection. Dogs licking can mean many things from showing affection and relieving stress, to showing submission. Lets take a look at whether kissing your dog is sending them the right message, and what your dogs smooches in return might really mean.

Do Dogs Understand Kisses?

Dogs and humans communicate in completely different ways. Unfortunately, we often make the mistake of interpreting dog behavior in human terms. Humans rely on verbal or sign language to express ideas and emotions. Dogs primarily depend on body posturing and facial expressions to communicate with each other.

Researchers have studied dogs for years to try and understand them better. Its tempting to compare dogs to their wild ancestors, wolves. Much like dogs themselves, though, dog language has also evolved over the 30 000 years since they started living with humans. Now researchers estimate that, amongst todays domestic dog breeds, Huskies have retained the most wolf-like language traits. German Shepherds have only retained about three quarters of wolf-like social signaling. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have retained the least wolf-speak in the dog kingdom. These variations even make it hard for dogs to communicate with other breeds. So its no wonder that we sometimes struggle to understand our pets.

Lost in Translation

Since we dont speak dog, some of the things we take for granted can easily get lost in translation especially signs of affection, like hugging and kissing. Kissing is a human trait. Researchers have yet to find a comparable behavior in dogs that reflects the same range of emotions as human kisses.

Dogs do not innately understand what kisses mean. However, just like we learn what their different behaviors mean, dogs are also very good at learning how to interpret our behavior.

Do Dogs Like Kisses?

The act of kissing your dog means we place our faces right up against theirs. Sometimes we even go so far as to hug them, throwing our arms around their shoulders. We might enjoy this from a select number of humans. But think about the last time a relative stranger gave you a hug or a kiss, or someone tried to do this when you werent in the mood.

Dogs rarely approach each other straight on. Instead, two dogs greeting each other will approach from the side. Putting your face close to a dog is a very assertive behavior in dog language. If he hasnt learnt what this is all about he might feel very threatened.

Aggressive dogs may loom over more submissive dogs, trying to make themselves appear larger. In this context, it is easy to see how a dog could confuse a child leaning in for a kiss with a threat. Because dogs learn what our behaviors mean, the good news is that most dogs can learn to associate our kisses with affection. Even enjoy them reciprocate in their own way.

But Watch Their Reactions

Some dogs, however, only tolerate kisses because weve trained them to accept this behavior as normal. Others always find human kisses uncomfortable. Some find kisses downright threatening. You can usually determine whether a dog likes kisses or not by watching their reactions. Use the following signs to see if your dog likes it when you kiss them.

Dog-talk signs that a pup finds kisses stressful include turning their head away, stiffening their body, licking their lips, or yawning and even licking your face forcefully to try and make you retreat. So do dogs like kisses? They will show you!

Why Do Dogs Lick?

You may have seen dogs lick the muzzles of other dogs, or perhaps your dog licks your face on a regular basis. Is this like kissing your dog? This may feel like a kiss to us, but what is your dog actually trying to say? It can mean many different things.

Licking is one of the instinctive behaviors through which dogs communicate. Licking is often used to show affection and greeting between dogs. In fact when dogs lick themselves or others it releases endorphins the feel good hormones which relieves stress and comforts the dog. Licking is also used as a sign of submission, to explore scents, to get attention, or even as a warning to back off.

Mothers and Puppies

Do dogs like kisses from each other? The mother licks her pups not only to help them to eliminate, but also to groom and comfort them. While this is not a kiss in the same way that a human mother might kiss her baby, it is still a gesture that carries affection. As pups grow older they lick their mothers mouth. This is instinctive behavior left over from their wolf ancestry when the mother would regurgitate food.

Licking can also be a submissive behavior between dogs. A dog may lick the muzzle of a more dominant dog to avoid retribution. Or your dog could simply be curious about something another dog has eaten. But why do dogs kiss people?

Why Do Dogs Lick Your Face?

Dogs lick people for all the reasons mentioned above, and more. You should learn how to interpret the rest of their body signals to know whether its an affectionate kiss or not. Dogs are observant. If you reacted positively to kisses in the past, theyre more likely to do it again. This becomes an attention-seeking behavior, and could be your dogs way of saying, Hello, human friend, pay attention to me.

Dogs explore the world with sight, sound, smell, and taste. You dog could kiss your face simply to get more information about the delicious snack youve just eaten, or to find out where youve been. They might even lick you to draw your attention to something thats worrying them. It might be as simple as that their water bowl is empty. They could even be trying to tell you that theres something up elsewhere in the house.

An injured or anxious dog might lick a person in the same way a submissive dog licks a more dominant dog. They could be licking because they feel threatened when you, your child, or even a stranger bends over and kisses them. You might think that theyre kissing you back. In the meantime, their intended meaning could be the complete opposite and then your further approach could create a dangerous situation. So even if you believe the answer to do dogs understand kisses is a resounding yes for your own pup there are still some dangers to watch out for.

Do Dogs Know What Kisses Are?

Most dogs tolerate kisses from their owners fairly well. Some may even come to associate kisses with love and attention, and quite a few even enjoy kisses from their people. Theyll usually show their pleasure by wagging their tails, looking alert and happy, and licking you back. Unfortunately hugging and kissing behaviors are some of the most common triggers for dog bites to the face, especially with children. Every year about 400 000 children in the US are bitten by dogs. Most of the bites happen at home, to children younger than 7 years old, and with dogs that theyre familiar with.

Children are impulsive and often appear as a threat to dogs by approaching them when theyre eating. Or they might surprise them with a hug and a kiss while theyre sleeping. Children are also usually not able to interpret the warning signals when a dog doesnt want to be kissed. In some cases, dogs who are punished for growling or baring their teeth may even learn to skip more assertive warning signs. They may move straight to a nip, creating an even more dangerous situation.

Play it Safe

So its always best to play it safe and avoid kissing unfamiliar dogs. Keep this is mind especially if you adopt an older dog. You never know whether they might have been abused and have serious trust issues. Its definitely a good idea to instruct children to engage in respectful behaviors. They should wait for your dog to come to them for gentle pets. This shows that the dog is comfortable and confident with the interaction. By now you know that dogs dont kiss each other in the same way we kiss our loved ones. So, how do dogs show affection?

When Do Dogs Like Being Kissed?

When dogs have been well socialised from a young age they can come to understand kisses and cuddles as your way for showing affection. So do dogs know what kisses are? Many do and also learn to enjoy them. They may lick you to show affection back, despite it not being natural dog behavior. Your dog has learned that you respond positively to a big, slobbery dog kiss for better or for worse.

On their part physical proximity is a sign of trust and affection. When your dog is near or snuggled up to you, theyre showing that they love you. Deep sighs reveal that your dog is relaxed in your presence. Many dogs learn to enjoy pets and scratches. Just like people, dogs are unique. Some dogs express love and affection differently from others. It is up to you to observe them, and do your own research into dog behavior, to interpret their messages.

Does My Dog Love Me?

Our emotions have evolved for a reason. Love is no different. Human love is a driving force that builds bonds between friends and family and most important, helps us to support and protect one another. Dogs are social, family animals too. They share much of our genetic make up. And they also are driven to support and protect one another.

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So there is no reason to believe that the emotion we call love, which powers that support and protection, feels any different to them than it does to us. And its likely that your dog does love you, very much. He or she may have different ways of expressing that love. But the underlying feelings are likely very similar.

Whether your dogs favorite way to spend time is to give you kisses or howl along to your top music tracks together, they definitely feel strongly about you.

Do dogs like kisses? Summary

Dogs do plenty of things like licking the air, which can look like cute air kisses. But do dogs like actual kisses? There is still a great deal we dont know about dog behavior. And the answer to do dogs like being kissed and do dogs understand kisses is often a no. Furthermore, dogs lick for many reasons and if your dog licks your face it is not necessarily a kiss.

Luckily for humans, dogs are pretty good at interpreting most of our body language. They know when were happy, sad, and angry. They adapt their behavior to live harmoniously with us. In turn, we teach them commands so that they can further abide by our rules.

Whether or not its okay to kiss your dog depends largely on your dog watch how they react when you when you kiss them. If there are any signs of stress, it is a good idea to respect their natural instincts and give them a little space.

If your dog seems totally unfazed, kissing is probably okay, but bear in mind that just because your dog lets you kiss them doesnt mean theyll appreciate a kiss from someone else. Most importantly, teach your own and any other children who may come into contact with your dog how to interact with dogs safely and respectfully. For more information about dog behavior, talk to your veterinarian or consult with a behavioral specialist.

Do Dogs Understand Human Kisses? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Any dog owner has likely showered their furry canine friend with kisses at one point or another. Although most domesticated dogs respond positively to this gesture, do they understand human kisses? After all, kisses arent something that dogs do or receive in the wild.

It is safe to assume dogs dont fully understand human kisses, but they do associate kisses with affection and gentleness, causing them to love human kisses. There are plenty of signs that dogs associate human kisses with affection and love, showing that they at least understand the basics of the human kiss.

If you have ever wondered if your dog understands human kisses, this article is for you. Read on to find out more about what science says about dogs understanding human kisses.

Signs Your Dog Understands Human Kisses

Domesticated dogs in happy households learn human kisses from their owners. From an early age, their owners shower them with human kisses, pets, and gentle tones, sending the message that human kisses are a positive thing. For this reason, many domesticated dogs learn that human kisses are positive affection, even though they arent biologically evolved to understand kisses from their birth.

With that being said, dogs who have never experienced human kisses before dont quite know what to do with it and they do not know what it means. Because human kisses are not something that dogs have evolved to understand, puppies and abused dogs simply dont understand this behavior.

Its All in Their Body Movements

Since dogs cannot be analyzed and questioned, science relies on their body mannerisms to determine if dogs like, dislike, or understand certain human behaviors, such as human kisses. According to science, most dog body movements and mannerisms suggest that dogs understand the basics of the human kiss, but only if they have been introduced to it from an early age.

Most domesticated dogs who have found a home in loving households seem to understand that human kisses are associated with affection, attention, and gentleness. This can be seen in how dogs often start wagging their tail, cuddling with you, and looking you in the eye when they are receiving human kisses.

Dogs who have received human kisses from an early age are especially prone to these positive body movements, such as tail wagging and licking. All of these behaviors express reciprocated affection and relaxation in dogs, showing that they understand that they are receiving some sort of positive attention when you kiss them.

Common Signs Your Dog Likes Being Kissed

• Acting excited
• Being alert
• Jumping up
• Licking
• Nuzzling or cuddling up to you
• Tail wagging
• Tilting head

Do Dogs Really Understand Human Kisses?

Even though dogs often learn human kisses are associated with positive behavior and show bodily mannerisms to express their joy when receiving human kisses, do they really understand human kisses? In other words, do dogs actually understand the behavior, or are they just responding to attention?

To answer the question directly, dogs dont really understand human kisses. They dont understand the nuanced nature of the human expression of love. As a result, they do not understand what a kiss represents within our culture.

So, dogs respond to the positive affection they receive whenever they receive a human kiss. They simply recognize that human kisses are a positive thing and that they like the kisses, but they do not recognize the significance of a kiss.

They do understand the most basic facts of kissesthey are positive affection, and thats the most important thing of all!

How to Train Your Dog to Like Kisses

If you want your dog to respond positively to kisses, you can train it to do so. Since human kisses are associated with gentle behavior, dogs tend to love human kisses and are quick to respond positively to them.

• Start Early: The best way to train your dog to like human kisses is to expose it to the behavior early on. Whenever your dog is a puppy, cuddle up to the puppy and give it kisses. This will train it from an early age to associate human kisses with positive affection. As they grow older, your dog will simply find human kisses irresistible.

• Start Slow with Older Dogs: If your dog is a rescue and you didnt have the opportunity to kiss it as a puppy, you can still train it, but you need to be more careful. Do not simply put your face to the dog, or else they may associate the behavior with aggression. You can begin by gaining the dogs trust by giving it treats and other tokens. Once your dog begins to trust you, you can start cuddling with it more. Start by kissing away from its face, such as on its back. As your dog trusts you more and more, you should be able to kiss it more freely. If your dog was abused or underwent some other traumatic experience, it may not ever get accustomed to human kisses. If thats the case, dont force kisses on it. The last thing you want is to inflict more trauma on your dog.

• Use a Gentle Voice: Whether your dog is young or old, make sure to use a gentle voice as you kiss it. A gentle voice is the easiest way to show your dog that you are not being aggressive. Instead, it shows that you are even-tempered and trying to express affection.

How to Train Your Dog to Kiss You Back

If your dog likes human kisses and is easy to train, you might want to teach it how to kiss you back. This is a cute little trick that can make other dog owners super jealous. You would train this trick just as you would any other.

Begin by showing your dog the behavior you are trying to teach it. You can do this by leaning into it for a kiss. Every time its nose touches your lips, praise the dog a lot and give it treats. This will cause your dog to associate the behavior with treats and rewards. Eventually, your dog will pick up on the trick and start kissing you back.

Final Thoughts

Even though dogs dont understand the nuances behind a human kiss, domesticated dogs learn early on to associate kisses with positive affection and cuddles. As a result, dogs understand the most important part of a human kissthat it represents affection and love.

Featured Image Credit: Konstantin Zaykov, Shutterstock