What Does It Mean When A Dog Licks Your Ear

Back when dogs lived in packs in the wild they would lick the ears of their packmates to show that they accepted the other as a part of their pack.

What does it mean when a dog licks your ear. If your dog has a good rapport and trust with another pooch in your household you may also observe social grooming behaviors definitely a positive sign for their relationship. If you want your dog to stop licking you do your best to ignore the behavior. This type of friendly licking isn t in any way restricted to littermates however. The jury is out on what a dog s licking actually means.

Sometimes however licking can indicate an underlying medical issue be it with the dog being licked or the one doing the licking. It s their way of integrating into the pack or of passing on a social favor in the form of a bit of friendly grooming. While it is not uncommon for a dog to love to lick your ears some still are not sure what it is that they love and why they do it. Licking amidst siblings is a way in which they become closer.

If your pup is licking multiple paws examine each one especially between the toes. Obsessive ear licking dogs have been known not only to lick the ears but nibble on them as well. If this behavior is one that you would prefer your pet to practice a little less often there are ways to discourage it. The most common reason a dog may lick their human s ears is as a sign of affection.

The main goal is to get his mind away from licking ears. But just keep in mind although ear licking is instinctual it can evolve into something more and so you need to be keeping an eye on it. If you notice this type of licking in addition to other symptoms like sores redness or a slimy often smelly discharge have your dog checked out by the vet right away. Yeast infections which are primarily caused by an allergy tend to begin either in a dog s ears or in their paws.

In most cases dogs licking each other s ears is a healthy and natural behavior that should not ring any alarms. Klein says that if the area between the paws is red swollen and or inflamed your dog may have come into. Bacterial or fungal infections like a yeast infection can cause a dog to scratch at her own ears. One explanation is that it is a sign of affection.

It means a lot to them. Nuzzling licking and even nibbling on the ears of another pack member in this case you can be a means to show that your pup is comfortable with you.