Your dog might try to lick inside your mouth, but it's not a good idea for your health. According to the YouTube short, "Why Do Dogs Lick Inside Our Mouths? - #shorts," dogs carry a lot of germs on their tongues. Letting them deposit these germs directly into your mouth can increase your risk of getting sick.
Here's a breakdown of why this behavior happens and why it's not recommended:
Why Dogs Lick
Dogs use licking as a way to explore and interact with their environment and others, including their human companions.
- Affection: Licking can be a sign of affection. Your dog might be trying to show you they love you.
- Communication: They might be trying to get your attention or are communicating that they want something.
- Grooming: In some cases, licking can be an attempt to groom you or show you care, just like they might groom each other.
- Taste: They may be interested in the unique tastes they pick up from your mouth.
- Instinct: They may retain an instinctual behaviour from when they were puppies. When they were puppies they used licking to communicate with their mother and encourage her to regurgitate food.
The Problem: Germs
While these reasons might seem endearing, the YouTube short emphasizes a very important point: dogs' mouths are not clean.
- Germs Abound: Dogs' tongues are home to a lot of bacteria.
- Potential Illness: Exchanging saliva with your dog through mouth licking increases the risk of transferring these germs into your body, which can lead to illness.
- Not a Healthy Habit: Allowing your dog to lick inside your mouth isn't a safe or healthy practice.
What You Should Do
It's important to redirect your dog's behavior if they try to lick inside your mouth. You can use the following solutions:
- Redirect the Behavior: Offer them an alternative, like a toy or a treat, whenever they try to lick your mouth.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward your dog when they exhibit positive behaviors like licking a toy instead of you.
- Teach a "Leave It" Command: Train them to understand the "leave it" command to prevent them from licking you.
- Cleanliness: Regularly washing your hands is also a good idea after interacting with your dog.
| Key Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Dog's Mouths | Contain many germs. |
| Health Risk | Sharing saliva increases your risk of getting sick. |
| Redirecting Behavior | Use alternative options like toys and treats. |
| Training | Use positive reinforcement and commands like 'leave it' to stop the behavior. |
