Your dog likely kisses you when you sneeze because they're trying to comfort you, acting as your furry healer, and perhaps even misinterpreting the sneeze.
Here's a breakdown of the possible reasons:
- Instinctual Comfort/Worry: Dogs have a strong instinct to care for their pack. A sneeze might sound like a sign of distress or injury to your dog. Their licking is an attempt to soothe you, similar to how they would care for a pack member in the wild who is hurt or unwell.
- Attempted "Healing": In a pack setting, dogs often lick wounds or areas of discomfort to help their pack mates heal. Your dog might see your sneeze as a sign that something is "wrong" and attempts to "fix" it with their licks. The reference mentions that dogs want to be your healer, similar to how they act in the wild if the pack leader is injured.
- Misinterpretation: After repeated experiences, your dog might associate your sneeze with other actions, especially if you tend to give them attention afterward. They might learn that a sneeze leads to petting or talking, and they simply want to continue the positive interaction.
- Seeking Attention: Sometimes, a kiss is just a kiss! Your dog might enjoy the taste of your skin or simply seek your attention and affection. Sneezing might be a trigger for them to initiate this interaction.
In summary, your dog's kisses after a sneeze are likely a combination of instinctual comfort behavior, a possible misinterpretation of the sound, and a desire for attention. They're trying to take care of you in their own doggy way!
