Why is it that dogs MUST lick your face if you lie down on the floor?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

Why is this so important to them? Couldn't they just NOT lick your face one time?

Don't they ever think, "Well, that looks pretty tempting, but I think I'll pass. I'm good."

[Richardo]

1. I'd be very disappointed if they DID pass.

Sometimes it's the reason I lie down on the floor in the first place. :)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Actually, it IS the main reason I ever lie down on the floor too.

But it still amazes me that they must do this every time.

The best I can understand it is that dogs are fundamentally good people. They seem to understand far better than we that life is short, and that there are only so many opportunities for ball chasing and face licking and tummy scratching. At the end of the day, why have any regrets over faces not licked?

[Richardo]

9. Hear hear!

The dogs got it goin' on. :D:thumbsup:

[lpbk2713]

2. It's either that or lick their ass.

:think:

[oneighty]

3. Because your butt is covered?

180

[I Know How To Do it]

4. It's an evolutionary trait from the days they licked Mammoth

juice from the faces of cavemen.

[Lerkfish]

5. considering what ELSE they lick,

it could well be the start of a self esteem problem for the lickee.

[Hugin]

6. My precious would never do such a thing. n/t

[KurtNYC]

7. Because they love you!

...and there's nothing you can do about it!

[demnan]

10. They just want to make sure you can make it back up

and they will give you a good dose of canine saliva to strengthen you for the task of standing on your two legs all the time. They think it must be quite strenuous.

[MrBenchley]

11. Because they love you and they're worried something's wrong...

You might recall that Chimpy's dogs didn't go near the scummy drunk during the famous "pretzel" incident...

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2002/01/21/bethcolj.htm

[Wcross]

23. Thats because he keeps dropping them!

Wasn't he "caught on tape" dropping one of those poor critters?

[MrBenchley]

25. As Bob Boudelang once said

"Our Great President rolled up his sleeve, threw his dog on the ground, and got to work."

What screams at you every time you see footage of Chimpy with the dogs is that they just don't like him. When he picks them up they squirm and try to get away...

[Wcross]

26. Dogs are pretty smart.....

... if some douchebag tried to pick me up I would do MY best to get away!

[MrBenchley]

27. Remember, Chimpy tortured small animals as a kid

dogs can pick up vibes like that off people...

[Wcross]

29. A LOT of serial killers do that as a child.....

I am starting to see what the chimp is all about.

[MrBenchley]

33. Yup...

[MisterP]

35. they actually didn't move, according to Pretzels, from the time he

lost "consciousness" to the time he regained it--someone back then (three years ago, wow) noted that if he'd been out any longer, theyd've been chewing on his legs.
Free Barney (and MizzBEEEEEZley, as he says it)!

[MrBenchley]

37. I wonder if they lifted their legs

and peed on him while he was laying there...

[liontamer]

12. I think they assume that if you lie down on the floor

you want your faced licked. They're just being polite.

[Modem Butterfly]

13. It's a sign of submission, and they're also asking for food

They're saying, "I'm no threat to you, won't you feed me?"

Wild canids (dogs, wolves, coyotes) lick the face of the returning pack leader to show submission. The behavior stems from puppies licking their mother's mouths to stimulate her to vomit food for them (gross, but true), so when the adults do this to the pack leader, they're saying "We regard you as the leader and provider of food,"

In other words, they WUUUUUUUVVV you, so make with the treats, 'kay?

[madinmaryland]

14. And do you know where their tongue has been?

:puke:

[Swede]

15. Because their balls and ass have already been licked.

:)

[Shell Beau]

16. My dogs (except one) like

to lick at any time possible. My other dog is kind of selfish with his kisses. He only gives them to me. My hubby has to beg for one. I look forward to the kisses.

[Mutley]

17. I just tried it

and was attacked(not really attacked, but trampled)! Both dogs ran over to lick my face, then got mad at each other and started chasing each other, running me over in the process. Now they're rolling around on the floor trying to bite each other's ears. That was very productive. :rofl:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

18. Yeah it gets to be quite the contest around here sometimes too.

That's why, with our more timid dogs, if the others aren't around I like to let them "get their licks in" when they aren't going to be harassed by the others.

[Mutley]

19. Well

I have a 3 month old puppy, so my two are still trying to decide who will be dominant. It's going to be a close race. I just try to stand back and let them work it out for themselves, and make sure no one really gets hurt.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Just Doin' Their Job!

A dog's job is to be a loyal companion who displays unconditional love. That's what doggies do! So, if they can reach your face, which is hard if you're standing up, they just HAVE TO take the opportunity to show you how much you mean to them.

Man, i love doggies.
The Professor

[sendero]

21. I'm guessing...

... it's the traces of breakfast, lunch and/or dinner :)

[Felix Mala]

22. Of course, they will have just licked their butts 'cause that's what

they always do first when they plop down on the floor.

[miss_kitty]

24. I feel like i'm being invaded

she stands on my chest and licks likes there'll be no tomorrow.

[LynneSin]

28. Why does my cat want to lick my face AFTER he licks his butt

seriously - I don't understand

[billyskank]

31. Maybe he wants to take the taste away!

:D

[billyskank]

30. Because when you stand up they can't reach?

:shrug:

[roguevalley]

32. its a wolf trait. Dog dna and wolf is indistinguishable. when a wolf

greets another in the pack, they do this. They do it for recognition and joy. you are part of their pack and they do this for love and joy and recognition, especially of your dominance. Enjoy it. it means love.

[RedCloud]

34. My dog licks me every chance she gets!

She licks my hands, my feet, my legs, my face. All with eternal love looks on her face. So far I cannot bring myself to lick her back or any other part of her. Am I selfish? Do I sell fish? Do I smell like fish?

Just this morning she thought of a new way to lick me: From under the kitchen table.

Also she has a very long tongue so it is hard to escape her licking and she can jump and get in her licks as well.

[AngryAmish]

36. They want you to throw up

Seriously. Puppies lick their parents in the wild to stimulate the parents to regurgitate food so they can eat.