Dogs do a lot of licking. They groom themselves, they’ll groom other canines, they’ll lick you, they’ll lick their beds, the floor, their toys and pretty much anything/everything.
Dog grooming is a form of social bonding that helps strengthen the relationship between dogs. It’s a way of showing affection, reducing stress and anxiety, and maintaining hygiene.
Grooming also plays a crucial role in establishing dominance and rank within a pack. Understanding the reasons behind dog grooming behaviour can help improve our understanding of their social dynamics and enhance the bond between dogs and their owners.
Reasons Why Dogs Groom Each Other
To Say Hello
Licking has many purposes. To begin with, pups greet one another with a sloppy swoosh of their tongue in lieu of the word “hello.” They communicate and socialize through mutual grooming. It’s our version of a wave, smile, handshake, head nod and everything else combined.
Exploring The Other Dog
Canines deduct a great deal with their tongues. In addition to saying hello, a dog will get a quick sniff in and taste the other dog. There’s plenty of information to gather through the nose and tongue.
As A Friendly Gesture
Licking another dog is a friendly gesture. It’s like saying, “Hi. Nice to meet/see you. Want to play?” When a canine licks another, both know that the meeting is amicable and there’s no need to battle for control or hierarchy.
Being Playful
It’s a playful gesture during which two pooches can assess each other. If both seem to lean in with interest and neither is aggressive, that initial lick can lead to a play session.
Expressing Submission
A lick can convey that the dog doing the licking is not a threat and is not challenging the other. Grooming can also set up ranking in the pack.
Actual Bathing
Poochies can assist each other in removing debris from hard-to-reach areas like the back or ears. Why not help groom your friend as long as you’re in grooming mode and licking yourself?
Relieving Stress
Licking is relaxing for pups. Similar to when humans chew gum or eat because chewing helps us work out stress. Rhythmic licking and chewing help dogs to soothe themselves.
Bonding
Mutual grooming is a bonding activity. The two pooches trust one another. They are a grooming team engaging in an important process together. It also means the dog is officially part of the pack.
Throw-Back From Puppyhood
Dogs fondly remember their mums grooming them and want to recreate that comforting and soothing experience. Licking enabled the mum to teach the puppies to nurse and helped encourage a bowel movement. Canines associate licking with being cared for, being safe, being loved and being fed.
In the recesses of their minds, they remember that licking is attention and may be associated with other benefits. In addition, in the wild, puppies lick their mum’s face when she returns from a hunt to ask her to regurgitate food for them. Licking is a multi-purpose activity for puppies that accomplishes an assortment of things.
Showing Affection
Grooming each other is an act of affection. A pup feels loved when another pooch licks him and helps him groom his fur. Also, the pack’s social structure is actually based on licking one another.
To Comfort the Other Dog
Canines will groom another dog who seems to be upset or not feeling well physically. It’s how their mothers took care of them as babies, so it’s the way they know how to care and soothe another or themselves.
When a dog licks himself or another pooch, it helps relieve stress or pain.
Is It Ok for Your Dog to Lick Other Dogs All the Time?
Dogs tend to do a great deal of licking. If your pup seems to be licking excessively, take a look and see if there’s an irritation or cut on the dog being licked. If you can’t find anything but your fur baby is licking another dog non-stop, your dog should visit a vet.
Most dogs will allow another canine to lick them for a certain amount of time before they decide it’s enough. The dog who’s being licked too much will walk away or maybe growl as a warning.
How Can You Stop Your Dog From Licking Incessantly?
Your dog may have a medical issue or be bored. Mental illness, allergies or skin diseases can be the issues behind obsessive licking.
Doggies engage in all sorts of undesirable things when bored. Take her for a walk, play fetch or tug, go to the dog park or give her belly rubs and ear/butt scratches. Licking can become a compulsion.
If your pup is licking compulsively because he’s anxious, your vet may give you medicine to calm him down, or you could try CBD oil or essential oils.
As always, positive reinforcement helps stop unwanted behaviour. Give your fur friend a treat or toy when he starts to lick so you can redirect him. Praise him and give him attention for desired behaviour so he knows what he should and shouldn’t do.
Conclusion
Dog grooming is a complex behaviour that is driven by multiple factors, including social bonding, hygiene, and the establishment of dominance and rank. Understanding why dogs groom each other and what it means for their social dynamics is essential in fostering strong relationships between dogs and their owners.
By observing and interpreting their behaviour, we can provide our furry friends with the best care and support they deserve. Whether it’s through petting, playing, or simply giving them plenty of love and affection, dogs are sure to repay us with their unconditional love and loyalty.
