Do dogs understand when they are kissed: revealing the secret of dog tenderness. Little Chihuahua loves kisses

Do dog owners understand their daily, everyday behavior? What do dog "kisses" really mean? American professor of psychology, specialist in animal behavior - about the differences in the perception of the world between a person and his pets

Do the owners understand dog their daily, everyday behavior? What do dog "kisses" really mean? American professor of psychology, specialist in animal behavior - about the differences in the perception of the world between a person and his pets.

In someone else's skin

To be able to recognize the essential elements of an animal's umwelt is, in essence, to become an expert on ticks, dogs, people, and so on. This is how we can close the gap between what we think we know about dogs and what they really are.

We can try to assimilate the umwelt of another animal, to incarnate into an animal (remembering the limitations imposed by our sensory system). It's an amazing thing to spend a day being as tall as a dog. Sniffing (even with our less-than-perfect noses) the objects we encounter throughout the day fundamentally changes the way we think about familiar things.

Now pay attention to the sounds in the room where you are - sounds that you are used to and that you do not usually listen to. So, with some effort, I hear the noise of a fan in the corner, the hum of a truck in the distance, the inaudible voices of people climbing the stairs; a wooden chair creaks under someone; my heart is beating; I swallow; The page rustles as it turns. If my hearing had been sharper, I might have heard the scratching of pen on paper across the room, the sound of a flower growing and the insects talking under my feet. Perhaps other animals hear these sounds clearly.

The meaning of things

Different animals see objects around them differently. A dog who looks around the room does not at all consider himself surrounded by a person’s things - all these are objects of his world. Our ideas about what this or that object is intended for may or may not coincide with a dog’s. The meaning of things is determined by what we do with them (von Uexküll called this “functional tone”). A dog may be indifferent to chairs, but if you teach him to jump on them, the chair becomes something to sit on. Subsequently, the dog may independently discover that there are other things intended for sitting: a couch, a pile of pillows, or, for example, a person’s lap.

So, we begin to understand in what ways the ideas about the world of dogs and humans are similar and in what ways they are different. For dogs, many objects in the surrounding world are associated with food - much more than for people. Moreover, they distinguish "functional tones" that do not exist for us - for example, things that can be tastefully rolled on. If we are not children and are not inclined to such games, then the number of such objects tends to zero for us. And on the contrary, a huge number of things that have a strictly defined meaning for us (forks, knives, hammers, push pins, fans, watches, etc.) have no (or almost no) meaning for dogs.

So, there is no hammer for a dog. He means nothing to her, but at least, as long as it is not associated with another, significant, object (for example, the owner uses it; the cute dog who lives down the street urinated on it; it has a wooden handle that can be chewed).

When the umwelts of a dog and a person collide, then, as a rule, people do not understand what their pets are doing. For example, a person quite seriously states that his dog knows that he has nothing to do on the bed. A person can even buy a special dog bed and order the dog to go lie down there. Usually the dog obeys. The person feels satisfied. Still, another step towards mutual understanding has been taken.

But is it? Many times, returning home, I found a crumpled, still warm bed and realized that either my dog ​​had just been lying there, joyfully greeting me on the threshold, or some unknown invisible alien. We easily formulate: a bed is intended for a person, a dog bed is for a dog. A human bed is a place to rest, it can be expensive bed sheets and a variety of pillows. It wouldn’t even occur to us to sit on a dog bed that cost us (comparatively) little and is strewn with chewed up toys.

What about the dog? She doesn't see big difference between his bed and ours, but ours is much more attractive. After all, a bed smells like a person, and a dog bed smells like something that the master happened to have at hand. The bed is where we spend some time; Sometimes there are crumbs scattered and clothes lying around. Of course, the dog will prefer our bed to his bed! She doesn't know why we perceive this place differently. Of course, a dog can remember that a human bed is something special if he is regularly scolded for lying on it. But then he will understand not the difference between his bed and our bed, but rather the difference between the places where he can and cannot lie unhindered.

IN dog world the bed does not have a "functional tone". Dogs sleep where they can, and not where we would like them to. For relaxation, they choose places where they can lie down comfortably, where it is not hot or cold, there are relatives and it is safe. Almost any flat surface in the house meets these requirements. Design a corner to suit your dog's tastes, and your pet will likely find it just as desirable as a bed.

Dog "kisses"

For Pumpernickel, kissing is a way of establishing contact; so to speak, a hand extended to me.

Pumpernickel licks my face when I get home and lean over to caress her. She licks my hand to wake me up when I start to doze off in the chair. She carefully licks my sweaty feet after running. Sitting next to me, Pumpernickel presses my hand with his front paw, unclenches his fist with his nose and licks my palm. I am delighted.

I often hear that dog owners acknowledge their pets' love with the "kisses" their dogs give them after returning home, be it slobbery "kisses" on the face or thoughtful "polishing" of a hand with the tongue.

I consider Pumpernickel kisses to be a sign of affection. “Affection” and “love” are not recent inventions of our society, which considers dogs to be little people who should be dressed up in bad weather, pampered with trips to the resort and dressed up for Halloween. Charles Darwin, who lived long before the establishment of the “dog nursery” (who, I am sure, did not dress his puppy in a goblin or witch costume), wrote about dog “kisses” without doubting their significance. Dogs, according to Darwin, demonstrate their affection in an amazing way, namely by licking the hands or face of the owner. Was Darwin right? Dog “kisses” seem to me like a sign of love, but what does the dog himself think about it?

I have bad news for you. Observations of wolves, coyotes, and foxes have shown: puppies lick the face of their mother returning from hunting and demand that she regurgitate half-digested food. Licking around the mouth apparently stimulates the mother to do this. How disappointed Pumpernickel must be that I never shared the rabbit I ate with her!

However, dogs enjoy licking our faces. Their taste buds recognize salty and sweet, bitter and sour, and even the umami taste found in MSG. Dogs sense sweet tastes a little differently than we do (for us, salt enhances the sensation of sweetness).

Dogs have a particularly large number of “sweet” receptors, although, for example, sucrose and fructose have a stronger effect on them than glucose. Omnivorous dogs must have evolved this ability to distinguish between mature and immature plants and fruits. It is curious that even pure salt does not stimulate the so-called “salt” receptors on the tongue and palate of dogs in the same way as it does in humans. But you don’t have to puzzle over Pumpernickel’s behavior for long to understand that her “kisses” are often connected to the fact that I recently devoured a fair amount of food in front of her eyes.

Now for the good news: over time, pragmatic licking (what we call dog “kisses”) has evolved into a greeting ritual. In other words, it serves not only as a way to beg for food, but also to say hello. Dogs, as well as wolves, lick each other’s faces to congratulate each other on their return and to determine by smell where their relatives went and why. Mothers not only wash their puppies by licking them, but when they return after a short separation, they give them a few quick “kisses.” Young or timid dog may lick the face of a large, menacing dog to appease him. Familiar dogs can decorously exchange “kisses” while walking on a leash.

The “kiss” also serves as a way to make sure (through smell) that the dog rushing towards you is really familiar. And since greeting "kisses" are often accompanied by wagging tails, open mouths and general excitement, it's not too much of a stretch to say that licking is a way of expressing delight at being back home. published

From the book "A Dog from Nose to Tail"

It seems safe enough. You touch noses with your dog and talk to him while he licks your mouth and cheeks with his tongue; or you, returning home from work, bring your lips to the dog's as a sign of greeting. It may seem highest degree affection, but when it comes to kissing like this, experts warn: Beware of the dogs!

What is the danger?

Dr. Nilanjan Nandy, an assistant professor of medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said the mouths of most animals are home to "a huge oral microbiome of bacteria, viruses and fungi."

Nandi says dog saliva contains proteins that can help it clean and heal its own wounds, but in an article titled "Why You Shouldn't Hugg and Kiss Your Pet," he notes, "There are organisms unique to dogs that we shouldn't neither put up nor fight.” Some bacteria in dogs' mouths are zoonotic, meaning animals can pass them to people, causing illness. “Common zoonotic bacteria include Clostridia, coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which can cause serious illness gastrointestinal tract among people,” he says Dr. Leni K. Kaplan, Professor of Community Practice Services at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

So I shouldn't let my dog ​​lick me at all?

Not really.

“When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially healthy person, it is extremely unlikely that this will cause any problems. Because the skin absorbs a very small amount of liquid,” says Dr. Kaplan. However, dog saliva and pathogens are more easily absorbed through the mucous membranes of a person's nose, mouth and eyes. While diseases transmitted this way are rare, Dr. Kaplan says it's best to avoid your dog licking these parts of your face.

John Oxford, professor of virology at Queen Mary University of London and an expert in microbiology, claims that he would never allow a dog to lick his face (from The Hippocratic Post). “It's not just what's in the saliva,” he says. “Dogs spend half their lives sticking their noses into dirty corners or dog poop, so their faces are full of bacteria, viruses and germs of all kinds.”

What other diseases can be transmitted?

"Other infections such as hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted through coprophagia, in which animals swallow stool or lick anus each other,” said Dr. Nandi.

Dr. Joe Kinnarney, past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said in an interview that one study estimated that there could be 20 to 30 million eggs in a puppy's intestinal tract in a week. roundworm. He reported that in his practice in Greensboro, North Carolina, a client's child nearly lost an eye due to a roundworm infestation.

Former US President Obama even addressed this issue in an interview with Wired magazine (while still president): “I still don’t let Sunny and Beau lick me because when I walk them on the lawn, I see them picking and chewing.” , and I don’t need it,” Mr. Obama said, laughing.

Are there other dangers?

Dr. Proctor says people need to understand that not all dogs want to be hugged and kissed. “Most people don’t notice the subtle body language of a dog that conveys fear, stress or aggression,” she wrote. “Putting your face in contact with a dog's face can result in a bite to the face if you're not careful.”

What about cats?

“Cat mouths harbor Pasteurella bacteria, which can cause infectious diseases skin and lymph nodes, and for Bartonella Henseli, a bacterium that can cause a severe infection of the skin and lymph nodes known as "hot fever" cat scratches", the website says. Most of these infections occur from bites and scratches.

What precautions should I take?

• Make sure your pet is vaccinated on time.
• New pets must undergo deworming (a set of therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at improving the health of environment from invasive material (eggs, larvae) and the improvement of animals and the population from helminths).
• Keep your pets away from feces. Neither your own nor other animals (this can be taught, if necessary, contact a dog handler).
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

Arden Moore, host of Oh, Be Good! on Pet Life Radio, said she doesn't mind getting kisses from her five dogs and a cat from time to time, and kisses the top of their heads in return. “Pets, just like people, crave attention and affection,” she says. “As long as I stay healthy and my animals are healthy, I will take the risk and accept their kisses.”

We are looking for you: facts, stories, solutions. If you are interested in mamanam.ru, subscribe to us on social networks and share with your friends.

Guided by reason and the rules of hygiene, any sane person will confirm the statements that you should not kiss dogs on the face. This is logical, but can the same person explain why it is impossible? Are there any good reasons for this, other than the risk of helminth infection? Whatever the danger behind such close contact, surely every dog ​​owner admits that he has kissed his dog on the nose or face at least once. Moreover, for dog lovers such communication is quite natural.

Dogs are not averse to licking the owner’s face, and in many dog ​​training manuals, it is this contact that is described as optimal. By licking the owner's face, the puppy calms down and expresses his childish affection. Some breeds of puppies should not be restricted from licking during childhood.

So what is the danger and is it far-fetched? Let us take it for granted that people are divided into those who do not like animals, those who are tolerant and those who cannot see their life without a four-legged companion.

Most of the first group considers animals to be a source of problems and diseases; for them, even far-fetched dangers will be very relevant. The second group most often treats dogs wisely and is aware of the advantages and disadvantages. In the end, whether to love, have, or kiss an animal is a personal matter for everyone. The third category - dog lovers - often downplay risks in favor of their charges. However, if the owner takes good care of his dog, then he is more “safe” than most people and this is a fact!

Read also: Why does a dog smell like a dog: the main reasons and ways to eliminate them

You've probably already come to the conclusion that the ban on kissing is not as clear-cut as it seems. Let's be objective, because knowing the enemy by sight, you can meet him with honors or avoid the meeting altogether.

Viruses and infections

Perhaps the biggest danger is that viral diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets and the method of exchange of mucous membrane secretions. The dog's nose is wet - this is the secretion secreted by the mucous membranes. Dogs and people have common ailments that can be transmitted from pet to owner and vice versa.

Note! There is an unspoken belief that dogs and cats can become infected from the owner of an acute respiratory viral infection such as FLU.

If your pet appears healthy, there is minimal risk of transmission:

• Bacteria of the simplest type– live permanently in the body of humans and dogs and do not pose a threat if the immune system is fully functioning.

• Fungal microorganisms– there is a possibility that the dog is a carrier of the fungus, but does not suffer from it. Infection is also possible during the incubation period, that is, the dog is already affected, but there are no visual signs.

• – there are several families that are dangerous to humans, especially if the owner is undergoing or has recently undergone intensive treatment. Dogs rarely carry staphylococci.

• – dangerous for humans, but dogs are very rarely carriers.

Note! The immune system a person is able to completely suppress foreign bacteria if it functions fully, that is, the dog owner is healthy. There is no evidence in the world that owners have become infected from dogs dangerous viruses, except for rabies, which is transmitted by the bite of unvaccinated carriers.

Read also: Hypoallergenic dogs: fiction or hope?

Dog owners tend to downplay possible risks. Most lovers of four-legged animals will say that a dog’s mouth and saliva are no more dangerous than a human’s. This statement is true if the animal is healthy, but the composition of human and dog saliva is different. The main difference is the acidity of the environment.

Allergy- This is a very mysterious disease that can also bother the dog owner. The fact is that allergic reaction– this is the work of the immune system, which has detected “foreign” cells in the body. A person may develop an allergy to the dog's saliva, mucous membrane secretions and skin. Most often, this local reaction, expressed by redness and itching.

Kissing a dog is something so disgusting and a dog should not be allowed to lick the face of both children and adults. Kissing a dog can cause serious illnesses, or even death! Indeed, Western online publications claim that isolated deaths have been recorded caused by infection through a kiss with four-legged friends.

Chiweenie (Chihuaxa) - Chihuahua and Dachshund mixes

In fact, deaths happen very, very rarely, but other troubles happen more often. A dog’s mouth is a place where pathogens, viruses, microbes, and bacteria simply teem with experts. Even beloved pets hide many dangers to human health. Most dogs spend their lives in unknown places and stick their noses into all dirty places, eat whatever they want. Young children are at greatest risk because their body's defenses are not as strong as those of adults.

Among all, the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, which causes serious diseases, can live in the oral cavity of animals. The most important thing is that in a dog’s body, this bacterium lives quietly and does not manifest itself in any way, but in people it can cause blood poisoning, pneumonia and other diseases.

Children love having a dog lick their lips and playing with their four-legged friends. Children are not even aware of the danger, although this activity is very fun for them. Children put their faces forward, want to take their pets to bed, etc. However, experts say it's most dangerous when a dog's saliva gets into oral cavity person, eyes, nose, etc. You must immediately explain to the child the limits: “This is a dog, play with it, but you can’t kiss it and don’t let it do it, and after everything, please wash your hands well with soap.”

Funny pictures

Here's a guy who had his eyelid torn by a dog while trying to kiss him. And here is a girl whose mouth was torn apart by her friend’s dog under the same circumstances

What happens when a dog is kissed? How does the dog feel and does he understand that this gesture expresses affection and tenderness? To answer this question, you need to understand the “language of a dog” and it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

The age of the canine family is unknown, and its history is covered in gaps. The age of the joint history of man and dog is estimated in tens of thousands of years. Over such a long period, dogs, not endowed with the gift of speech, were forced to look for ways to communicate with each other, with other animals and people. Wolves, our pets and their ancestors communicated in one language, which combines a system of gestures, sounds, smells and many other tools. Licking is one of the ways to express emotions in the “language of a dog.”

Many owners say, “my dog ​​kisses,” meaning licking. You may be surprised, but when licking a person or a relative, a dog does not always experience positive emotions. Licking the mother is one of the first physical contacts a puppy has after birth. A newborn puppy does not hear or see anything, but he has a highly developed sense of smell and tactile sensations. Licking the mother warms the puppy and stimulates its blood circulation and digestion. Immediately after birth, licking also acquires a hygienic character.

Newborn puppies should not have a smell, as it can attract predators who would like to dine on defenseless newborns. After birth, the mother's saliva is saturated with antibacterial substances, which help clean the puppies' fur and give it a neutral smell. By the way, during the first month of life, the urine and feces of puppies do not have a strong odor.

Read also: Where is a dog's liver located?

Approximately at one month old puppies begin to communicate with each other and communicate with their mother. Licking plays an important role during this period, allowing you to express affection and tender feelings. Mother licks her pups even when they are a year old or older.

This is interesting! The puppy ceases to be a child for the mother only after puberty.

Adult dogs also lick each other and often groom themselves. As a communication tool, licking can indicate affection, sexual infatuation, or a desire to provide security for oneself or members of the pack.

When a dog licks itself, it can have several motives. The obvious motive is the desire to take care of oneself, to maintain the hair in in good condition and get rid of foreign odors. If a dog only licks its face, this may indicate interest, excitement, increased appetite or severe stress.

This is interesting! The dog’s nose is constantly covered with mucus, which traps odor molecules and allows the pet to “feel the world” more clearly. By licking the lubricant, the dog renews it and helps itself to smell better.

Face licking due to stress, often misunderstood inexperienced owners. You can observe this picture when a dog communicates with a very persistent child. The four-legged dog does not want to harm the baby, but is very worried, his eyes begin to shine, he constantly licks his nose. This behavior indicates that additional adrenaline has entered the dog’s blood, and its actions may become less than adequate.

Licking paws and other parts of the body also most often indicates increased stress. The exception is basic hygiene, that is, licking the fur and genital area to eliminate odors. If your dog frequently and enthusiastically licks its front paws, you should consider possible reasons or discomfort.

Read also: Why does the tip of a dog’s tongue stick out: physiological reasons and their consequences

Most often, this behavior is observed in dogs that “don’t know” their place. We are talking about a comfortable refuge, protected from family members. However, this is not the only reason for this behavior. By licking itself, the dog stimulates nerve endings skin, which allows it to calm down a little. Reflexive nervous licking can become quite noticeably painful. The dog licks the fur and skin on its front paws, resulting in weeping wounds.

Is it possible to kiss dogs?

Let's figure out whether it is possible and necessary to kiss dogs? Many owners kiss their pets on the nose simply as a sign of affection. Let us note that dogs are not at all against such expressions of feelings, but some four-legged animals may not perceive them correctly. In a wolf pack, older members may lick younger ones, both out of affection and to calm them down.

Important! In most cases, the dog licks the owner to show affection.

You should be more wary of your pet's obsessive desire to lick you. There can be many reasons; most often, this desire is associated with the instinct for security. However, attempts to lick your hands or other body parts should not be too intrusive.