Do you let your dog lick your face?

@mipen2006 (5528)
Australia
March 10, 2008 7:44pm CST
When I was young, many years ago, my mother always told me not to let our dog lick my face. And seeing some of the things dogs do lick I agree with her advice. Now seeing a fill in on Fox News they show a dog licking injured and stressed soldiers in Iraq. The practice is also shown in many movies. This promotes kids allowing dogs to lick their faces. What are your thoughts on this subject?
11 people like this
41 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
11 Mar 08
I don't agree with it myself but i knew a lady years ago who said when she was a little girl she used to let her dog lick her fase to clear acne as she said their tongues are like an antiseptic..
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
11 Mar 08
Very interesting, that's the first time I've heard that. Did it cure the girl's acne?
2 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
11 Mar 08
well she said so, she was an older lady and this is what she did when she was young....
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I have heard this idea before, some people claim that the dog saliva is cleansing and anti bacterial or something. it makes me shudder. many years ago I got really grossed out when my brother n law was visiting and we had ice cream and he let our dog lick his ice cream and then went and ate some himself - dog lick, he'd lick. I could not believe it! this man who was a compulsive neat freak swapped spit with a dog on purpose!
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
11 Mar 08
dogs kiss - dog kissing
Did you say that a dog was licking injured and stressed soldiers in Iraq? It was an alfa dog willing to save soldiers life. In a 1990 study done at the University of California, researchers found dog saliva killed E. coli and Streptococcus canis, another harmful bacteria. The scientists concluded that when mother dogs licked their nipples it helped keep puppies free from disease, and that dogs licking their own wounds accomplished the same goal. Scientists in the department of clinical pharmacology at St Bartholomew's hospital asked volunteers to lick both surfaces of their hands and found levels of nitric oxide on the licked skin was massively increased. Nitric Oxide is a powerful antimicrobial substance formed from nitrite present in saliva, which is oxidised on contact with the acidic surface of the skin. The reaction is aided by a second substance, ascorbate, in saliva. Allowing your pet to administer the cure may also be good for you. The researchers report that Fijian fishermen encourage their dogs to lick their wounds to promote rapid healing. I let my dogs to lick my chin to say hi when I am coming back home.... ha, ha...happy licking... Oh, and I kiss my dogs forehead....
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
11 Mar 08
The work the dog was doing was admirable. Nobody knows better than I how great the company of a dog is. Unfortunately at the momant you could say I'm between dogs. Lol. I have to spend considerable time in Australia next year, but when I return getting a dog is on top of my to do list. Back to the discussion. You have enlightened me a lot on the subject polchicago, for which I thank you. I always knew dogs licked their wounds to assist recovery, but that is as far as my knowledge went. I used to kiss mt big dog on the forehead also.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
12 Mar 08
:)))) so I am not the only one...:))) Hugs
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
19 Mar 08
I am sure they are both happy. It is creating bond and happiness. Happiness means health....
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
18 Mar 08
No I don't let my dog lick my face... After I see what they do I won't let them... How ewer when I was younger I'd let puppies do it to me.. I didn't know any better and all they did with their tongues but now that I know I won't let them anymore...
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 08
oh yes for sure... My son lets the little dog do it all the time and strange dogs do it as well... Well the friendly ones anyway.. The mean ones thats a different story in one...
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
19 Mar 08
Thanks for replying. I am amazed at the division on this subject. I think all kids love puppies to lick their faces.
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
11 Mar 08
Yes i allow the dog to lick my face,because that's the way they show love to us and become happy.
@annieroos (1845)
• United States
11 Mar 08
Yes i agree.. that is the way they show love.. but some people let their dogs Lick way to much..
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Mar 08
I agree about the love bit, but do you see what other things dogs lick?
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
17 Mar 08
yes, i do let my dog lick my face but if i dont know the dog i will be careful coz you dont need to be bitten to get rabies all they have to do is transfer their saliva and you will get it, so be very very careful ( i wish it is that easy though) i know kids love being licked by a dog or cat or whatever animal is there coz to them it is FUN and i have nothing against it coz i once been a child and i enjoy stuff like that. i also have seen some film that states that dogs can ease your stress and they can give peace in your heart that's why they like to bring dogs to hospitals or place where there is a patient. any kind of animals brings joy in once heart, that is what i believe, but maybe to some who dont care bout animals they dont see nor feel this way. different opinion i guess!
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
18 Mar 08
Thank you for interesting reply. I agree animals are great for stress, and in my opinion, for depression as well. My dogs are taught when pups not to lick faces. Hands and legs are ok.
@jairgirl (2877)
• United States
18 Mar 08
you're very much welcome, i love to participate to pet and animal discussions coz i am a lover of them my self. our dog now (mutt) doesnt like to lick so thats a great thing but he loves to smell your face a lot specially in the morning which i find sweet coz i like waking up that way, haha! interesting indeed, to know you train your dog while they're pups not to lick faces just legs and arms, cool! wonder how i can do that, maybe i can do that on our future dog but hard to tell if they are a licketr or not, haha! takecare
@Guardian208 (1095)
• United States
11 Mar 08
I stumbled on one of those Blue Collar Comic guys doing standup while I was channel surfing a while back. He told a story about dogs licking faces that I thought I would share with you. He said his wife got a new dog and was really in love with it. He wasn't too thrilled about getting a dog at all. But the dog had a problem. He ate his own droppings. So they took him to the vet and the vet gave them this powder to put on the dog's food. When he asked the vet what this powder was supposed to do, the doctor said that it made the droppings taste bad. TASTE BAD? It already tastes like cr^p! But he did it and it worked. So the wife can let the dog lick her all over her face now. But he said that he has kept a secret from her. Whenever his wife starts nagging him, he 'forgets' to use the powder.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Mar 08
An amusing story, but if it were me I think I would go for seperate beds! Thanks for the story.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Mar 08
Lol! Me too if it were the other way around!
@bronie123 (4587)
• United States
11 Mar 08
i dont like any animal licking me its just nasty. I mean they just licked there butt and then want to try to lick my face............no thanks LOL My cat drives me crazy trying to like my nose ugh
1 person likes this
@bronie123 (4587)
• United States
11 Mar 08
ugh i know sand paper tongue
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
11 Mar 08
I had a cat who loved to lick my arm, but that's all. I remember how rough his tougue was.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
21 Mar 08
a sweet white poodle - this sweet poodle of mine is so cute with everyone liking him so much
Hello dear mipen. I have never allowed my poodle to lick me on the face, but he is allowed to lick my hand and finger. He loves to do this and I do not object to him doing this way because I know he loves me and all the other family members. I would fear nervous if my face were to be licked by my poodle. I am afraid to be biten by him all of a sudden, which is my biggest worry. lol. As to the part you have talked about letting a dog licking injured and stressed soldiers in Iraq, I think so long as the dogs are very friendly, it is ok for them to do so. Maybe it can help those soldiers to feel better mentally and physically. Thanks.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
Thanks for your reply. I love dogs and I also know they lick to show love, but I don't allow them to lick my face either. Hands, legs and arms are fine. I also believe they have healing juices in their saliva, which can speed up sores and scares healing. As far as being great companions, there really is none better, and what they do in Iraq is to lend support to stressed and wounded soldiers, and this is fantastic.
• Philippines
15 Mar 08
I let my dog lick my cheek to greet me when I come home or when I wake up in the morning. I have heard that dog's saliva are antiseptic, and based on what I've read on the previous comments, it is true. I have let my dog eat from my fork and I see no problems with it either. It may sound yucky for some people, but I don't care.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
17 Mar 08
To each his own I guess, but I don't think I'd like to share my fork with my dog.
@manya_pearl (1901)
• Singapore
22 Mar 08
Oh no, Thanks! I dont like my dog licks my face. Its disgusting even its looks enjoyable and fun... geezzz... Its never be an enjoyable thing for me. Dog eat anything and i know its possible something dirty or yucks... I saw some scenes in movies, dog licks the actress or actors' faces, and its seemed they look happy. Actually for me its look disgusting and yucks... dog's saliva also smells terrible. ahahah
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
23 Mar 08
I've seen it in a lot of movies, and I don't think it's good. I don't mind my dog licking my hands, but always wash them after. Thanks for your response.
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I don't let my dog lick my face. Of course, sometimes the little fellows surprise you and get a lick in when they catch you off-guard, but I don't allow this. I love my two dogs very much and snuggle with them even, but it's disgusting to me how some pet owners let their dogs lick all over their face and lips! I would not tolerate that, it would gross me out! Not only do they lick their nether regions, but the breath is usually pretty bad.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
I totally agree with you, and I don't care what curing skills some people say they have. Thanks for your reply.
@lateesha (94)
14 Mar 08
hail no eeeeerrrrr dogs have bad breathe and may carry germs i would never
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
15 Mar 08
There are many who disagree with you.
@ruby222 (4847)
21 Mar 08
Nooooo..much as we love our little old do theres no way i would let him lick my face....i think id have to scrub it well after!!! Its just a funny feeeling that you would wonder where his tongue had been!! but ive heard it said that the inside of a dogs mouth is clean..as they produce a good healthy amount of saliva.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
I agree with you, but the response to this discussion is varied, and in a week or so I intend to review the answers and release the results here. Thank you for your interest.
• India
23 Mar 08
I would never allow a dog lick my face.Its so unhygienic you see.Dogs lick anything from their paws to the owners shoes.Who knows what infection they would bring.I have even touched a dog very seldom.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
24 Mar 08
I agree with you, but I wouldn't go so far as not to touch a dog. I love them and love patting them.
• India
11 Mar 08
Well i do agree that we should not let them lick our face
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Mar 08
Thanks for your response. You would be surprised how many responses think it's a good thing.
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
13 Mar 08
Well, they do lick some disgusting things but there are some people that say that a dogs mouth is cleaner than a human. Me, well, my dogs are spoiled but they aren't that spoiled lol!
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
14 Mar 08
Good to hear from you again freak. I'm with you, My dogs are part of my family, but I've seen where that tongue, and I don't want it near my face.
• India
12 Mar 08
Dog is very good animal but its split contains lots of germs. Every one should take of this.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
13 Mar 08
I think you'll find opinions are divided on this.
@Dest274 (100)
• United States
11 Mar 08
no i never let my dog like my face i think that is very nasty
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Mar 08
Lots agree with you, but others say it's ok.
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
12 Mar 08
I know the feeling, you have been brought up to think one thing and then learn about another point of view which is compelling later on... So what does one do? I wouldn't let my dog or another dog lick a child's face, as you say - you KNOW where their tongue has been!!!! OK if your kid fell and there wasn't anyone around then great, let him lick your kids' face or put leeches in a wound - it will eat the degrading part of your cut (urgh but true!) Dogs can still have lavae or any other bacteria/virus on their tongues, so I'd say no. Although I wouldn't be too pedantic about it as we all survived this experience. So it is bound to happen behind our backs, anyway!!!
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
13 Mar 08
You bring up a very good point about a fallen child. The act would definitely take your child's mind off its fall. Thank you for your response.
• United States
11 Mar 08
OK first of all letting a dog lick seems nasty anyways. I have heard that a humans mouth is like the dirtiest you can get and that almost makes it seem like a dog lick is not that bad. Then again you have to think about what dogs are doing with there mouths. They are pretty yucky animals when it comes to licking! I do not understand why movies show animals licking people when they are wounded, etc. Maybe it is because in movies like that, animals (dogs in paricular) are meant to be a helper and licking is how dogs show there affection. Which makes sense with the soldiers too. Dogs seem to have a sense and know when people are sad or hurt. But other than letting your dog come to you and you acknowledge that it is there. I would not advise letting a dog lick you repeatedly. Besides, why would you want an animal licking you over and oer anyways. Besides the effet of maybe getting some nasty germs, it would make you sticky, and probably stinky too.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Mar 08
Thank you for your detailed report. The clip I saw was from Iraq where some soldiers who suffering from depression, and the compamy of the dog gave them a lift. Now I can agree with this, but I don't think they should have shown the dog licking the soldiers face. It's something kids love, but as we grow older I believe we stop allowing dogs to do this.