Why is My Dog Licking My Ears? We love our dogs, and often the things we like most about them are their funny behaviors.
Ever wondered why your furry friend insists on giving your ears a slobbery spa treatment? Turns out, it’s not just a quirky canine habit but a secret signal of supreme comfort and camaraderie. Imagine yourself as part of your dog’s exclusive pack, and that gentle ear-licking is their way of saying, “You’re one of us!”
It turns out, that this peculiar form of pup affection isn’t just about hygiene; it’s a full-blown compliment. Your dog isn’t just clearing away imaginary ear gunk; they’re expressing love, care, and a dash of canine respect. So, the next time your ears become the epicenter of a doggy spa day, take it as a high-five from your furball. After all, who knew that a little slobbery affection could be such a heartwarming compliment?
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What we think is cute or ingenious is very often the communication to our dog.
Most of these behaviors are linked to evolutionary behavior or as a means of communication from your pooch.
Your dog seems to like to lick your ears. And why do dogs try to lick your ears? Well, this is a widely discussed question in the dog expert community.
So, Why is My Dog Licking My Ears?
For some, this behavior is hilarious, while for others it may seem a bit gross. No matter what your opinion on it, it is a typical behavior for dogs. But, have you ever asked yourself why dogs do this?
1. Affection
The most reason your dog will hit you or someone else’s ears are a show of love. There are sources for this behavior when dogs live in packs.
Pressing another dog’s ears showed that the recipient had accepted the dog into the pack.
So, if your dog is licking your ears, it will feel comfortable and safe in your presence. You are accepted in your dog family to talk.
2. Respect
Your dog may even lick your ears to show you a sign of respect. Submissive signs that your dog recognizes you as the owner.
The same is true if your dog grabs your face or your feet.
3. Boredom
Of course, there may be a more straightforward explanation – your dog is bored and wants to tell you that it’s time for them to play the game! If your dog does not get enough stimulation, they may resort to this behavior. Keeping them active with plenty of toys and treats usually stops ear laughing.
4. Attire
As already mentioned, attire is a symbol of honor that leads to animal pack behavior. By tapping your ears or face, your dog thinks it will help keep you clean.
So, no need for those scented bottles in the bathroom!
5. Taste
We experienced our dogs hitting something very gross. Well, tapping your ears will make your dog try to catch some delicious earwax!
Dogs can smell even the slightest trace of food, so any smear left around the chin or facial area will immediately get them saliva.
6. Infection or compulsion
If another dog is licking at your dog’s ears, you may want to look closely. Odors attract dogs, and those odors often stem from an ear infection.
Also Read: Bathing Your Dog: Do dogs feel better after a bath?
Examine your dog’s ears and look for swelling, inflammation, worms or excessively dirty ear canals.
If you notice any of these, it is a good idea to address them immediately, as ear infections can be very painful if left untreated in your dog.
If you know your dog has an ear infection, keep them away from other dogs to discourage ear laughter, which can make the condition worse.
Dog Tongue Stature
Think of your dog’s tongue as a little explorer on a mission—sometimes it heads straight for your ears. Now, here’s the scoop: dogs are like students, and they adore positive vibes. So, when they do something good and you give them a thumbs up (or a treat), it’s like giving them a gold star.
Now, when the ear-licking extravaganza begins, channel your inner superhero and stay cool. Instead of making a fuss, gently steer their attention elsewhere. It’s like saying, “Hey, let’s check out this awesome toy or do a cool trick instead!” By swapping the ear-licking for something more pawsome, you’re setting the stage for a little reward action.
Remember, it’s all about being the superhero trainer. With a sprinkle of consistency and a dash of patience, your dog might just trade in the ear-licking routine for a round of tricks and treats. Talk about a win-win for both you and your four-legged buddy!
What is ear licking?
Dogs communicate in a variety of ways. Dogs find ways to “talk” from body language to facial expressions.
Licking the ears is another way to communicate, even if it seems a little gross, it is a simple form of showing affection.
Sure, this type of dog behavior says “I love you” and “we are part of the same pack” regardless of breed.
Can I get an ear infection from my dog’s ear licking?
The risk of ear infection from a dog biting your ear is very low. However some groups can be harmed such as babies and those at high risk of infection and in these cases it is better to stop the dog laughing.
How can my dog nibble on me with his front teeth?
Nibbling your dog with its front teeth is undoubtedly a natural behavior, especially for young puppies. It is a natural behavior and is one of the most frequent dental behaviors
How to stop my dog’s ears from licking?
You can admire licking or sobbing your ears with your pet, but other people may not find it so appealing. So, how can you prevent this behavior from becoming an embarrassing situation?
One solution that most experts recommend is to keep your dog’s food inside the toy. Your dog needs to focus and work to get its delicious gift.
Occupying their mind in this way will take their attention away from your, or someone else’s ear. This distraction method has been proven to provide exceptional results.
Another way to distract your dog from boredom that causes ear laughter is to take them for a short walk.
Do this as soon as they start laughing, or, even better, if you notice the behavior early on before they start laughing.
Mentioning a walk or getting in the way of your dog is enough to excite them and make them forget about your ears!
Like setting up or reforming any other habit, you need time and repetition to get the permanent effects you want.
Whatever method you choose, keep it up and in the end, you should see some positive results.
You may not eliminate the behavior completely, but it may happen less often than before.
Some occasionally see this as a beautiful and loving behavior to lick the ear, while others see it as annoying and gross.
To Lick or Not to Lick: Decoding Doggy Ear Love
So, your dog’s turned your ears into their personal lick-a-thon, and you’re standing at the crossroads of slobbery affection. If you’re all in for the canine kisses and it’s a mutual love fest, well, go with the flow. Your dog is basically saying, “We’re buddies, and I’m feeling safe and happy right here.” If you’re vibing with the ear-licking party, let it roll!
But, hold on a sec, not everyone is on board with the ear-licking extravaganza. If you’d rather put a pause on the slobbery serenade, no worries. Just gracefully exit the lick zone. You can distract your furry friend with a treat or toss out a playful invite like, “Wanna play ball?” It’s like gently steering the conversation in a different direction.
Now, here’s the golden rule: if the ear-licking vibe isn’t your jam, nip it in the bud ASAP. The quicker you hit the brakes, the sooner your dog gets the memo, and the less likely they are to turn it into a full-fledged ear-licking marathon.
Oh, and if you’ve got any nicks, cuts, or a shiny new piercing, it’s a no-go zone for doggy kisses. Let’s keep it safe and avoid any infection risk. It’s all about setting those boundaries while keeping the tail-wagging camaraderie alive!
Final Points
It is up to you as the pet lover to decide what appropriate behavior is and do anything to allow or discourage it. Either way, make sure you show your puppy love and care.