As humans, we show affection to the people we love through words and physical actions like hugging and kissing. Since our pets can’t understand our verbal proclamations of love, we sometimes inundate them with physical affection hoping that they’ll understand just how much we love them by smothering them with kisses. But do our dogs understand what our kisses mean, or are they uncomfortable when we shower them with love?
While dogs are incapable of understanding human kisses and why we kiss them, they do associate them with feelings of affection. Read on to learn more.
Do Dogs Understand Kisses?
It is not in a dog’s DNA to understand behaviors humans exhibit when they’re happy or in love. Your dog’s wild ancestors didn’t see humans kissing each other, nor did they ever receive kisses from people in the wild.
This is why your newborn puppy may not immediately understand what it is you’re doing when you shower them with kisses. The same applies to dogs who have been abused in the past. They have never been shown affection, so kisses or affection of any kind is new to them. Over time, however, most dogs will begin to associate your kisses with positive feelings.
Many dog owners will use a high-pitched or gentle tone when they’re showing affection towards their pets. Dogs will eventually learn to associate these tones with kisses and cuddles. So, while dogs are unable to understand the nuanced nature of how we express love as humans, many will understand that kisses are a positive expression.
Image Credit: Holisticdogtraining, Pixabay
Is It Safe to Kiss My Dog?
Most dogs will tolerate kisses from their family members well and will learn to associate kisses with love and affection. That said, this rule does not apply to every dog, and some dogs may not understand that kisses equal love. Some may feel afraid or threatened when you approach them, and they could even bite you.
That said, you know your dog best. If it has ever shown signs of aggression in the past or if you’ve rescued it and don’t know what its past was like, it’s best to approach kisses carefully. You need to create a strong bond with your pup before you start showing physical signs of affection.
Does My Dog Like My Kisses?
Some dogs will like getting kisses while others will not.
There are some body language cues you can look for to determine whether your dog appreciates you smothering them with kisses.
Common Signs Your Dog Enjoys Your Kisses
Jumping up on you
Acting excited
Wagging their tail
Looking alert
Licking your face
Running around
Nuzzling up to you
There are also some warning signs your dog will display if it is not interested in receiving physical affection from you.
Image Credit: Ulrike Mai, Pixabay
Common Signs Your Dog Is Not Interested in Kisses
Tenses up
Ears go back
Eyes open wide
Tail tucking
Ducks away
Growling
Drawn back lips
How Does My Dog Tell Me He Loves Me?
If dogs can’t use words, kisses, or hugs to tell us that they love us, how do they show us affection? There are several behaviors that dogs exhibit to subtly tell you that they love you.
They sleep near you. Since your dog’s wild ancestors slept in packs next to one another, if your pup chooses to sleep next to you, it’s telling you that it loves and trusts you.
They seek you out for physical contact. If your dog comes up to you for cuddles or leans up against you, it’s subtly telling you it trusts you. Resist the urge to trap them in a tight hug when they start showing this behavior.
They’re excited to see you. The ultimate display of love comes in the form of excitement. When you walk in the door at the end of your workday to your dog running up to you tag-wagging, you know they’ve spent the entire day missing you.
They share their toys. Dogs grow quite fond of their toys, so when your pooch presents you with his favorite stuffed bear, take it as a sign of affection.
They make eye contact. For dogs, making eye contact is a very intimate act and the ultimate display of trust. When your dog looks at you, its brain releases the love hormone oxytocin, which is linked to positive emotional states.
Image Credit: StockSnap, Pixabay
How Do Dogs Communicate?
Dogs don’t communicate with each other the way we do as humans. Friendly dogs know to approach each other from the side instead of head-on. They often don’t make eye contact with one another and will sniff each other out before deciding to play with each other.
Dogs rely heavily on body language and vocalizations to communicate with one another. Their posture, tail, facial expression, and eyes can tell a lot about a dog’s personality and willingness to be in certain situations. Their fur can even fluff up (piloerection) when aroused.
When we kiss our dogs, we don’t approach them in the way they’d be approached by other dogs. In fact, when we go in for a smooch, we’re often displaying the exact opposite behavior that they’d expect. We’ll make direct eye contact and approach them straight on. If dogs were to treat each other this way, it could be misconstrued as aggressive.
Final Thoughts
While dogs may not ever understand what kisses mean, most will eventually learn that kisses are a positive message.
Does your dog feel happy when you kiss them? It depends on the dog, but if you notice any positive feedback post-kiss, it’s pretty safe to say your dog appreciates them (and you).
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