Who gets "groomed" by their "B's"?

[JazzysMom]

All of our dogs have been inclined to lick us – our previous corgi mixes, Gypsy, and both B's.

I know dog behaviorists do say it is a domination issue, where the dog is showing that you are the subordinate.
I just think it's gross, and always teach my dogs, "No Lick". I don't let them lick people. I know I'm in the minority here.. I probably stand alone. And that's okay by me!

[Quercus]

@JazzysMom:

All of our dogs have been inclined to lick us – our previous corgi mixes, Gypsy, and both B's.

I know dog behaviorists do say it is a domination issue, where the dog is showing that you are the subordinate.
I just think it's gross, and always teach my dogs, "No Lick". I don't let them lick people. I know I'm in the minority here.. I probably stand alone. And that's okay by me!

Actually that is a fairly discarded theory at this point. Most behaviorists think it has way more to do with affection (or just plain cleaning) than domination. In all of the social animal groupings you can find lower status individuals groom higher status individuals, not the other way around (except moms grooming babies, and that is because they are dirty)

That certainly doesn't mean you have to allow your dog to lick you, though…of course that can be really irritating. We teach our dogs "enough"...cause I don't mind a little licking..and Tim hates it ;)

[felakuti]

heh, i love that licking. i am doing a bad thing, and i dont care, i am feeding felakuti out of my hand, i love the way his little tongue and whiskers and nose feel, it feels like i am feeding a little wild thing, like the birdies and the squirrels. :)

[Quercus]

@felakuti:

heh, i love that licking. i am doing a bad thing, and i dont care, i am feeding felakuti out of my hand, i love the way his little tongue and whiskers and nose feel, it feels like i am feeding a little wild thing, like the birdies and the squirrels. :)

That's not a bad thing…feeding your dog by hand is one of the best ways to build a bond. Takes a lot of time ;) but good for training.

[tanza]

Hand feeding is not bad unless they don't eat otherwise…gggg For those of us with show dogs, obviously in the show ring we hand feed, call "bait"... like fishing for a good performance... In fact in my house anyone that comes in and puts their hands in their pockets get immediate attention of every Basenji staring at them waiting for the hand to come out with a treat!

[JazzysMom]

Oh, I feed my dogs from my hand. It IS great for bonding and training.
But, ;-), I wash my hands well after! LOL

[felakuti]

thanks for the support for "hand feeding". :)

[Guest]

My boy loves to lick himself dry when he is done with his bath time. The same goes for us when we get out of the shower its time for him to dry us too I suppose!

[jys1011]

My little boy loves to lick especially after I've finished COOKING our dinner :D :D

And Topaz always thinks mom's moles are fleas or something cuz she tries to nibble them off…ha ha OUCH :eek:

[nobarkus]

If I put my arm around Nika when we're on the couch and my hand rests on her leg, she'll lick my hand for 10 minutes.