A normal behavior that typically starts in a puppy’s early years is licking. According to studies, the mother kisses her puppies to communicate with them. They become more alert as a result, beginning to breathe and interact with others. Adult dogs will also lick, particularly in social situations. This could be interpreted as “reconciliation” or “submission.” Licking your face in the morning, though, is a completely different matter. Which raises the question of why dogs are particularly lick-happy at particular times of the day.
Most dog owners think that a dog licking you in the morning is a way of saying “hello.” It’s possible that this is the reason, but there’s also another one. Your dog like the flavor of you, which is why he is so eager to lick you in the morning. Studies have shown that as you sleep, your skin produces perspiration and oil! Dogs adore this salted flavor! Because of this, he could feel compelled to taste you again after the first time. But take care—how you respond the first time will affect how your dog behaves going forward. You are encouraging a behavior if you react favorably to it.
My dog licks me when I’m awake, why?
We need to comprehend the origins of the dog-licking behavior before delving into its motivating reasons. Mothers frequently clean puppies after birth by licking them.
Canines naturally have a pack mentality. Within a pack, licking is a symbol of affection, harmony, and serenity. A dog’s owner-licking behavior is a subtly expressive sign of a group mentality.
One of the first actions dog mothers take after giving birth is to lick. Additionally, it makes it easier for neonates to breathe. Because of these things, licking is an essential part of the canine character.
They Want You for Something
They probably want to send you a message, which is one of the most likely reasons they’ll lick you. For instance, they might be in need of the restroom or be hungry. The dog would whine and whimper a little if you didn’t respond, then give you a sad-eyed look and rest its head on your torso.
Doggo Alarm Clock
In general, dogs get up early, and since their day has already begun, they expect you to do the same. The morning licks serve as a kind of alarm to help you get out of bed.
Licks are a way for your pet to say “Good morning” to you, its devoted owner. When it comes to this, they can be quite pushy. They will always follow you if you turn to the opposite side.
Responding to Positive Reinforcement
Because you previously shown some kind of pleasure for the same activity, dogs unconsciously repeat certain behaviors.
When they licked you, you might have offered them some sweets or a warm embrace. They still hold on to this lovely recollection, and they anticipate that they will be treated similarly in the future.
You are inadvertently telling them, “I like you licking me; you make me happy!” when you wake up content and smile at their kisses. This behavior is a superb illustration of a traditional conditioning strategy.
Taste of Our Skin
The oil and salt in human skin are abundant. The outer areas of our skin are filled with these substances after many hours of sleep. Our canine buddies may find the greasy and salty taste of our skin to be enticing.
Dogs are enticed to keep licking in this situation in order to enjoy the mouthwatering flavor of our morning skin.
Attention Seeking
Dogs have a unique way of showing their owner affection. They lick your face and shower you with all the unconditional affection they can manage because they are among the most devoted creatures on the planet.
They want your attention and anticipate receiving some sweets in exchange. To them, the owner’s love and care are everything.
Compulsive Behavior
Your dog could be exhibiting symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In order to relieve tension, worry, loneliness, or boredom, your dog frequently repeats the same behavior, such as licking you or herself.
Licking frequently is excellent. However, excessive repetition might exacerbate their anxiety problems and must be addressed right away.
Additionally, physical discomfort or injury might cause licking. They repeatedly lick the ills in an effort to treat them. We must routinely examine our pets’ bodies to look for cuts, infections, or other exterior wounds as good pet caretakers. It is always advised to send your dog to a licensed veterinarian rather than trying to treat the injury yourself because doing so could make things worse.
These are some of the main explanations for why dogs exhibit morning licking activity.
When I wake up, why does my dog kiss my feet?
Your dog licks you for a variety of reasons, including affection, attention, a better understanding of you, and just because. However, they might prefer your feet because of the abundance of scent data on them that might reveal a lot about you, your whereabouts, and your activities. Letting your dog kiss your feet is probably safe as long as both you and your dog are in good health.
Why do dogs behave so joyfully when you wake up?
It’s a blessing to be greeted by your animal companion first thing in the morning, but it’s not always simple to match your dog’s vigor.
Consider when this hyper reaction initially occurred, especially if it’s a recent shift, if you wish to help your dog companion behave in a more calm manner.
Once you are aware of the cause, you can attempt to modify your dog’s behavior. Let’s examine some of your possibilities now.
Alter Their Feeding Schedule
It’s possible that your dog is more eager about the first meal of the day if they get hyperactive when you wake up.
Naturally, this doesn’t imply that your dog doesn’t love you, but it does highlight the fact that you happen to be their preferred source of food.
If your dog is expressive, you could notice that as you get out of bed, they rush to their plate or point to the cabinet where you keep their canned or dry food.
Establishing a mealtime routine that works for both of you is the greatest approach to keep your dog from getting overly excited about their breakfast.
To ensure that your dog is not very hungry when you both wake up, you can reschedule their final meal of the day closer to when you go to bed.
Alternately, you might spend your money on a premium automatic dog feeder, which would relieve you of the feeding duty.
You may schedule up to 4 automated feedings with the Wopet Automatic Pet Feeder, which you can find on Amazon. You can even regulate the food portions so your tiny dog doesn’t overeat.
The only drawback is that your dog can grow more enthusiastic when he wakes up to the sound of kibble falling.
Consider Changing Their Diet
Dogs are opportunistic scavengers, and if given the chance, they’ll eat anything, claims Dr. Rebecca Remillard.
For this reason, it’s crucial to choose a diet for your dog that will make them feel satisfied without causing them to overeat.
Additionally, according to Dr. Remillard, not all dogs are constructed the same and may have varied dietary requirements, so it’s crucial to pick food that’s high in fiber to control your dog’s desire.
Contacting your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist is the best approach to find out how much fiber your dog needs to eat each day.
By ensuring that your dog eats the proper diet, you might notice a natural decrease in their energy levels in the morning because they are no longer hungry, and you’ll probably have a few extra minutes to sleep before your dog starts asking you for other things.
Exercise Is Key
Your dog may act more excitable in the morning since they’ve had a good night’s sleep and are now energized.
Your dog, on the other hand, is eager to greet the day and will act delighted when you offer to take them for a stroll in the morning.
They will be able to take care of their basic bathroom needs while also letting off some of the energy that has been building up throughout the night. Additionally, it’s crucial that your dog gets enough exercise to prevent boredom.
Take your dog on late-night walks before you go to bed if you want to gain a few extra minutes of sleep and keep them calm in the early morning hours.
Puppies who frequently get “zoomies” should exercise more than other puppies. Whether your dog is a low-energy breed like a Bulldog or a high-energy breed like a Border Collie will also affect how much exercise they require.
Keeping a few toys available for your dog to play with when they wake up can help you get some extra sleep or alone time in the morning, but you must keep in mind that no matter how late your night was, you can’t put off your dog’s desire for walks for too long.
Stop Rewarding This Behavior
You can’t and shouldn’t prevent a dog from fully expressing their wants. However, some harmful and undesirable behaviors can be controlled by simply not rewarding them.
Waiting for your dog to calm down before feeding them or giving them the attention they’ve been waiting for is the greatest method to train them to be less hyper in the mornings.
Avoid using any sort of aggression or shouting while training, and make sure to only use positive reinforcement and straightforward orders. You should also aim to give goodies at the appropriate moments.
“If you wait too long to offer the treat, your dog can grow confused about what exactly he’s being rewarded for,” says Stephanie Gibeault, CPDT.
She also says that if you’re teaching your dog to sit or another immobile position, he should receive his reward while he is still sitting.
You can get the outcomes you want by sticking to the same morning routine, not caving in to your dog’s tantrums, and rewarding them when they’re quiet.
Get A Dog Door
Getting a dog door is obviously not a viable choice for everyone, but if you have a secure yard, it’s a terrific way to prolong your peaceful morning.
By doing this, your dog will be able to urinate and defecate with a little more independence.
Even for self-entertainment, allowing your dog unrestricted access to your backyard can let him pass the time without necessarily waking you up.
There are several solutions that can work for you, your sleep, and your dog, whether you need a dog door for a Great Dane or a Chihuahua.
The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor, available on Amazon, has selective access and will only let your dog in and out while it is wearing the SmartKey on its collar. If you’re concerned that your other pets will escape through the dog door, you should look into this product.
Why licks my dog’s bed in the morning?
You might be wondering why your dog would pursue a cushion if they have access to food and goodies to enjoy.
It turns out that your dog like the flavor of your pillow. Otherwise, it can just be psychological. The following are some typical explanations for why your dog may be licking your pillow:
Your dog likes the salty taste of the pillow
Dogs frequently enjoy salty foods. And even though you might not be aware of it, your pillow is a very salty item.
We typically sweat when we sleep and exfoliate our skin. Both of these instantly assemble on our pillows and impart a salty flavor. Before going to bed, some of us also apply facial creams and lotions, which end up on our pillows.
Your dog’s nose will therefore be drawn to your pillow. The saline sweat and lotion immediately appeal to your dog’s taste receptors as they lick it.
Your dog could have separation anxiety
Some dogs may grow to fear being apart from their owners, which makes them uncomfortable when their owners leave and causes them to act out under stress.
Your pillow is the ideal item to serve as a comfort and a reminder of you for your dog, who frequently seeks out such items. Your pillow smells the most like you because you sleep for about 8 hours every day.
And because dogs have such acute senses of smell, they will pursue that first. Your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety and licking your pillow to calm itself if you regularly get home from work to discover it covered in saliva.
Your dog has obsessive-compulsive disorder
Your dog may have OCD if you notice that they keep licking your pillow without stopping. Dogs with this disease will repeatedly engage in a particular behavior, sometimes to the point of causing them damage.
Some dogs with OCD exhibit symptoms such as clawing an area until it bleeds or spending hours chasing their tails. They might also get into the habit of licking your pillow for unusually long periods of time.
Aggression might result from attempting to stop a dog with OCD from repeatedly engaging in harmful behavior. Therefore, it is best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian if you feel they are experiencing symptoms.
Your dog might be compensating for a change in diet
Your dog may be licking your pillow to make up for their loss of satisfaction if you just changed their food.
Dogs typically seek a consistent and reliable routine. They might feel underwhelmed and resort to your pillow to sate their needs for salt if you make a slight adjustment to their diet.
Another possibility is that your dog’s new diet is deficient in salt, and as a result, they are compensating by licking your pillow. Even grass can be consumed by dogs to meet their nutritional needs.
You have been unintentionally encouraging your dog to lick the pillow
Your dog may be licking your pillow for the weird reason that you’ve unknowingly been encouraging them to do so. This is comparable to using positive reinforcement to train your dog to carry out a specific task.
In this instance, you might unintentionally compliment or reward your dog for licking your pillow. When your dog licks your pillow, it appears to them like you are paying attention to them. Therefore, expecting a reward from you, they will routinely repeat this action.
Why follows me to the restroom, my dog?
Your dog probably follows you into the restroom because of their innate instinct and pack mentality. Due of their urge to stick by your side, these canines are known as “Velcro dogs.” In order to defend a member of their pack, they might follow you around, even to the bathroom.
