Day: August 4, 2017

When I put on a new pair of shoes, my dog, Baby, won’t go anywhere until she’s given them a good sniff and a quick pass with her tongue. My friend Rochelle’s dog, Sugar, has a peculiar habit of introducing herself to strangers by licking their knees. Why do they do it? Why do dogs lick, and why do they lick people?

1. Dogs lick people out of curiosity

Tongues give our dogs information about the world around them. We’ve all met dogs for the first time, reached out a hand in friendship and had it coated in drool. Even if you’ve had a dog for years, you’re probably going to get licked every time you come home. A few licks can tell your dog something about where you were and what you came in contact with.

2. Dogs lick us to tell us they’re hungry

Once they’re weaned, but before they’re ready for kibble, puppies are like baby birds. They lick mom’s mouth to let her know they’re hungry. In the wild, dog moms seek food, chew it up and offer it to their puppies. When dogs lick us, especially around our mouths, what we think of as dog kisses may actually be a way of asking what’s for dinner!

3. Dogs lick to communicate in general

Sounds we can hear — barks, howls or whimpers — are only one way a dog communicates. Licking can be conversational, too! Beyond curiosity and hunger, a dog lick might be a form of greeting or a display of loyalty. A lick when we open the front door is a dog’s way of saying “Welcome home!” or “I need to pee!” Dogs lick each other to acknowledge their place in a social group; when they lick us, it might either be to say they belong to us or, what’s more likely, to remind us that we belong to them!

4. Dogs lick people to get us to pay attention

Dogs know how to get what they want. Does a series of licks bring you joy, soften the tone of your voice or earn a good scratch behind the ear? Your dog will eventually put two and two together. A dog who learns that licking draws positive attention will use it to his advantage! If you’re working from home or binge-watching your favorite show, one thing you’re definitely not doing is playing with your dog. Dogs lick us to remind us where our focus should be!

5. Dogs lick your wounds

Dogs lick their own wounds and, if you have a fresh scrape or bruise, chances are they’ll lick it, too. In earlier times, physicians and wise folk actually trained dogs to do this, believing that it encouraged healing. The truth is, a dog’s tongue has just as many bacteria as ours do but of different kinds. While we’re charmed that our dogs are trying to be helpful, they’re probably just curious about how our blood tastes! That’s far less charming.

6. Dogs lick as a sign of approval

Dog licks aren’t the same thing as kisses, but they can still be signs of affection or approval. If dogs lick us to get attention, they also lick to tell us when they’re getting the kind of attention they like. When I scratch Baby under her arms, I get long, slow licks. That’s when I know I’ve found exactly the right spot! Dogs are practically licked into life. Upon entering this strange world of ours, the first sensation newborn puppies feel is their mother’s nurturing tongue. Mom uses it to clear away her litter’s nostrils and encourages each puppy in turn to expand their tiny lungs and breathe the sweet air. From that moment onward, the licking never really stops.

Read more about dog licking and dog tongues on Dogster.com:

• Why Won’t My Dog Stop Licking His Paw?!
• Ask a Trainer: How Can I Get My Dog to Stop Licking Me?
• Why Are There Dogs With Spotted Tongues?

Melvin Peña is a writer, editor, social media manager and SEO specialist who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include his dog, Baby (of course), art, hiking, urban farming and karaoke.

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Bark. Bark. Bark. Repeat. What’s the reason for that racket? Who cultivated those darn dog barking tendencies? Whoops. It’s us. Humans, after all, intentionally developed barking in many dog breeds. Maybe it’s time to give some of these barking dogs the floor for their vocal justification.

1. New Zealand Huntaway

I was bred to bark to muster large flocks of sheep in New Zealand. I love telling our history because basically I get to say we’re tougher than the British Isles herding breeds. The breeds brought here by settlers weren’t well-matched to our country’s rough conditions and steep terrain. Ranchers bred us for heat-tolerance, endurance, and for a bark they could hear from long distances. So today, if we bark to tell you something’s up or to herd you all together, keep in mind that barking is characteristic of our working heritage.

And we sure are hard workers. We’re far from the typical sit-around-the-house family dog (no offense to dogs sitting around; I’m sure you have some reason for all that sitting). If you want to train us not to bark, be patient and persistent; you’re working against our genes. Luckily for you, like most herding breeds, we’re rather biddable. That’s code for we work to please our owners.

2. Beagle

Well, the Huntaway has his reasons for bragging about his biddability, but we Beagles are proud independent hound dogs. We adore our families, but we’ll probably bark if it suits us, even if it doesn’t suit you. We were developed in Britain to hunt prey such as rabbits. We’re renowned for our dog barking and howling. Today, we still tend to follow a scent when we catch it; you humans find that trait useful as we search for illegal drugs in airports.

If we bark at home, we may be trying to tell you there’s a squirrel in a tree or a man walking by the window. Don’t roll your eyes at our natural behavior. Many a dog saved the day with barking. You can, however, possibly teach me that the mailman, delivery man, or neighbor is a friend, not a trespasser. Try asking me to sit and give me a reward (I recommend a full-flavored, expensive treat!) when they come by the house. Better yet, let newcomer give me the treat.

3. Shetland Sheepdog

We were developed in the Shetland Islands to work with man, herding livestock and watching over sheep. Yes, we’re inclined to bark, but we have good reasons. For example, sometimes we had to protect sheep on remote sections of the islands, so we’d bark at large predator birds trying to eat lamb. We also barked and herded unfenced livestock away from our family’s gardens. The Shetland Islands residents counted on us to watch over their property and didn’t complain about our vocal alarm systems.

Today, when a new person comes, I’m compelled to tell you. Now, as far as training goes, well, let’s just say you’re going to have to work on the “silent!” command more than if you were training a French Bulldog. Try interrupting my barking when you don’t want to hear it, redirecting me, and rewarding incompatible behavior. No guarantees, but if we’re lying down, focusing on you in a “watch me” exercise, we’re less inclined to bark at the approaching FedEx man.

4. German Shepherd Dog

We were bred by Captain Max Von Stephanitz to guard and work side by side with man. We shine in protection, service, and police and military work. Oftentimes our dog barking is useful, warning you of strangers and even scaring ill-wishers away. But yes, there are times when we must be quiet. Those of us who are police, military or therapy dogs quickly learn the value of silence.

Want to teach me to stop barking? Well, fortunately for you, I’m one of the most trainable breeds in the world. We certainly can learn to cease barking when you request peace. But even with the best of training, keeping us from barking (at least initially) when we believe you’re in danger is challenging. We’re hardwired to protect.

5. Parson Russell Terrier

So, we were bred not only to hunt with tons of energy and speed in England, but also to work on the side watching out for you. These days, I bet not even a butterfly will pass your door undetected (what do you mean you don’t care about butterflies? Even the smallest threat is worth mentioning, isn’t it?).

I’m a Terrier, so I’m intelligent but independent. That’s code for: Motivate me with lots of treats and positive energy. If you simply fuss at me, I may bark just a little bit more. Heck, I have unlimited energy for entertaining (i.e., disobeying!) you. Therefore, your best bet is to take me to a basic obedience class, where I’ll easily learn the “no” command and love the rewards I get for listening.

6. Chihuahua

Now, wait just a minute. I’m not a classic working breed. I can’t say I bark to herd sheep or serve the military. You people bred me primarily for serving sacred purposes in (what is now) Mexico, and offering friendship. But you may have bred me small, but you sure developed me with spirit to spare. I bark to warn off newcomers from my house because I passionately care about my beloved family — not to mention I don’t usually take to strangers indiscriminately.

The only obstacle to teaching me not to bark is you thinking I’m too small for training. Use the same techniques you would use on my bigger cousins above, taking special note of the Beagle’s request for tasty treats for redirecting my dog barking.

Read more about barking dogs on Dogster.com:

• Is Your Dog Barking and Annoying Your Neighbors? Here’s What to Do
• How to Teach Your Dog the “Stop Barking” Command
• Why Do Dogs Howl?

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