Dogs respond to several relatively powerful canine behaviors that have been inherited through many generations. Dogs are extremely sociable pack animals by nature, and a lot of the behaviors they exhibit are a result of the particular ways that dogs interact and communicate.
Your dog may be expressing extreme comfort if it licks your ears. Members of the pack frequently groom one another, so you might be thought of as simply another member of the pack. It’s possible to lick your ears as a symbol of affection, caring, and respect. In other words, your dog is complimenting you when they kiss your ears!
Is It Gross?
It might not be best for everyone to just let your dog lick your ears whenever they feel like it.
Yes, it might be acceptable if they sneak a slurp in while hugging you. However, some dogs who frequently eat the ears could actually be drawn to the taste and smell of earwax. Additionally, any salt they absorb from the skin around them can make them feel more content.
Redirect That Tongue
Positive reinforcement training methods are accepted by dogs. This implies that kids are more likely to repeat positive behavior when it is rewarded. Dogs learn not to repeat unwanted or “bad behaviors” by humans not reacting to them.
Keep an open mind if your dog starts to lick your ears. Simply stand up and draw their attention elsewhere. Give them a chance to switch from licking to doing something productive that rewards them. Your dog will stop often licking his ears over time (but only with persistence and patience).
Other Explanations
Dogs use their tongue (after their nose and ears) to explore and attempt to understand their surroundings, therefore it seems logical that they would lick their ears in order to learn more about it.
Another animal’s ears may suddenly catch your attention, requiring additional investigation. An infection’s discharge and odor might be alluring and can provoke compulsive ear licking or cleaning (s). Check to see if frequent or excessive licking is contributing to a moisture or saliva buildup in the ear canal. Other problems may result from this. Once more, make an effort to divert the licking to an enjoyable activity.
When a Dog Licks Your Ears
The fact remains that most of this is typical dog behavior. Having said that, it could be necessary to step in if the conduct crosses the line or is compulsive.
Why do some people’s ears get licked by dogs?
Dogs may develop an obsession with licking their ears for a number of reasons. All dogs, whether they are stocky Neapolitan mastiffs or hairless Chinese cresteds, are related to wolves, who are pack animals. The social structures and behaviors of wild animals that live in packs or families are frequently complicated, reflecting the organization. One of these acts that frequently gives the unit structure is grooming one another.
Grooming Hard to Reach Areas
Everyone has experienced an itch they just can’t seem to get rid of. Animals cannot use a mass-produced back-scratcher to clean that hard-to-reach area, but people can. This is where grooming activity is helpful for animals that live in packs or families. Animals in family- or pack-structures will groom other animals in areas that may otherwise be challenging to reach, almost in a literal “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” exchange. Although it’s not extremely challenging to get to our ears, your dog might lick your ears as a means of saying “thank you” for all the ear scratches you give them.
Submission and Respect
Grooming can be interpreted in wolves, dogs, and other canid species as a display of submissive respect. To demonstrate to a wolf of a higher social rank that it submits to their status and authority in the pack, a wolf of a lower social level may groom a wolf of a higher rank. Your dog may lick your ears to express their respect for you as a respected and important part of their family. This is particularly likely to be the case if you observe other traditional submissive actions like crouching low, displaying their soft tummy, and tucking their tail.
A Sense of Comfort and Security
Dogs will also groom one another to express their happiness, safety, and concern for the recipient of their grooming. Your dog may be licking your ears to show you how much they adore you and how at ease they are in your presence. If your dog has a soft face (i.e., no stiff muscles along the brow line or the muzzle) and calm body positioning, it is likely that they are licking your ears for this reason.
Exploration
Dogs use their noses to investigate their surroundings, as is well knowledge. They are excellent search and rescue animals because of this. But some people are unaware that dogs also use their jaws to explore. They may learn things about their environment through tasting rather than just sniffing. Puppies enjoy chewing on your furniture, shoes, and even electrical cords for a variety of reasons, including this one. If your dog is obsessed with licking your ears, it’s possible that they’re just trying to find out where or what you’ve been up to.
They Like the Taste
It is no secret that dogs enjoy eating disgusting stuff. One example of this is earwax. Even though it seems disgusting, some dogs actually enjoy the flavor and saltiness of earwax. Regardless of how clean they may be, your dog may like licking your ears since, to them, they taste good.
A Sign of an Underlying Problem
One last explanation for why your dog can suddenly develop an obsession with ears is an underlying medical condition. The fragrance of another pet’s ears may change if they develop an ear infection in your house. Your dog may investigate the unpleasant smell if they notice this change in smell. In the same manner that your dog will want to lick their own wounds, it can also stimulate them to lick the ears of the other animal.
There are a plethora of reasons why your dog would desire to lick your ears, despite the fact that this behavior is sometimes dismissed as a simple quirk. But typically, ear licking is just a peculiar activity.
Should you let your dog to lick your ears?
There is no need to interrupt and stop your dog from licking your ears if you don’t mind it. If you both appreciate it, let him lick. Your dog is expressing to you how secure and content he feels.
But not everybody enjoys having their ears licked. Get up and move away from your dog if you’d prefer for him to quit. You can also use a treat or a cheerful suggestion—such as, “Do you want to play ball?—to divert his attention.
Like with all habits, you should stop the licking right away and not wait until it has been going on for a while if you don’t like it. Your dog will move past the behavior more quickly and be less likely to repeat it if you stop it as soon as possible.
Your dog won’t understand what he did wrong if you let him carry while you grow increasingly irritated and eventually yell at him and push him away. Stopping him as soon as he tries to start the behavior is much preferable.
My dog keeps licking and nibbling my ears; why?
Your dog may enjoy nibbling at your ear as a sign of affection, or it may make you feel little queasy. Whatever attitude you choose, remember that there is a purpose behind it and that it’s not just your dog trying to see how you could taste!
Dogs will often nibble, lick, or nuzzle their ears to let you know they are at ease around you and to express affection.
Dogs are pack creatures, and when they nip at your ear, it’s clear that they see you as one of the group, if not the pack leader. They are acting more submissively and demonstrating their respect for you as their leader.
It could possibly be related to a more basic instinct, when canines lived in the wild far from people. Since dog ears can be challenging to groom, close dog pack members would assist one another and lick each other’s ears clean.
Although it may sound disgusting, some dogs nevertheless feel the need to wipe their ears occasionally. Your ears will smell strange to your dogs, and since they are olfactory creatures, it makes natural that they would learn a little bit more about you through your ears.
They Are Playing
If your dog is nibbling or licking your ears, it can just be for fun. She could just want to play and nibble while she explores with her mouth. Compared to adult dogs, puppies are more likely to experience this.
Be cautious to prevent your dog’s gentle nibbles from developing into painful bites as they mature. Try to stop this behavior now because it might escalate later.
They Love The Taste
Although it may be difficult for us humans to comprehend this, dogs may simply find our ears to be delicious! Dogs adore the salty flavor of the sweat and oil that our skin naturally produces. They are grooming you and tasting the salt by licking your ears.
Enjoy the solace of knowing that your dog believes she is looking out for you by doing this!
They Need You For Something
Your dog may be attempting to notify you that she needs something by nipping your ear because dogs use a variety of communication techniques.
It’s possible that your dog needs to go outside or that they are hungry. If you can’t figure out what they are saying, try to understand that they might just be trying to show you some love and affection.
Investigating Smells
Any new odors will be detected by your dog immediately. Your dog can be intrigued to investigate new creams or perfumes that you have applied to your face. This might cause some sniffing, followed by ear licking and nibbling.
Showing Affection
Your dog may be simply giving you affection by nipping your ear for no other reason. She will chew on your ear to express her affection and gratitude. Know that if your dog behaves in this way, they are entirely at ease around you!
Should You Allow Ear Nibbling?
Even while ear nibbling is often relatively innocuous, it is best to prevent it. Your dog may be nibbling at your ear as a sign of affection, but if they don’t know when to stop, they may bite you rather forcefully.
Poor impulse control in your dog could make them unaware that their nibbles can be painful, which could be a big issue if you have young children.
Here are some techniques to deter ear-nibbling:
Be stern.
When your dog injures you, be firm and tell her so. Say the same thing, like “ouch” or “no.” If you are persistent, they will eventually learn to stop nibbling.
provide chew toys
Giving chew toys to puppies to chew on might be a good idea (this one is a great choice). Perhaps they are going through the teething stage, and nibbling helps to relieve gum pain. Provide a variety of chew toys so they don’t become bored.
Give encouragement to the good
When your dog displays restraint and stops nibbling when you command her to, try to reward her with praise and treats. She will soon quit nibbling entirely thanks to this conditioning, which will finally teach her to cease.
Why Does My Dog Nibble My Nose?
Your dog may also have the strange habit of nipping on your nose. Even stranger than a simple nibbling on the ear, this can feel strange!
The same factors that cause your dog to nip at your ear also cause them to do the same on your nose. They use it to interact with you, to express their love for you, and to identify you as a member of their pack.
However, it is best to discourage this habit. A bite to the nose can be uncomfortable, and your dog might not even be aware that they are hurting you.
It could be a warning indication if your dog growls and bites your nose pretty forcefully. This suggests that you may have done something to annoy them and that your dog may require the services of a behaviorist.
Why Do Dogs Nibble On Other Dogs Ears?
Dogs may gnaw on each other’s ears for various reasons. One possibility is that they are merely engaging in play, which happens frequently with pups. By biting at their ear, your dog may be letting their pal know that they are in charge.
It is a means through which dogs can communicate with one another and was crucial when canines belonged to packs and had a hierarchy.
In addition to biting and licking one other’s ears, dogs also groom each other. The canines may recognize one another as members of the same pack if they are comfortable together. They can then groom each other since they are at peace enough to do so.
If it is done gently and does not lead to fights, dogs nibbling the ears of other dogs is not a problem. Allow your canines to interact and find their place in the world this way. You will need to separate the dogs if it turns aggressive, and you might take them for behavior modification.
Why do you think your dog loves you?
You can know if your dog is loving you by looking for the following signs:
They can’t wait to see you. This scene is one that all dog owners have seen. When you open your front entrance, a playful fur storm greets you. It’s possible that your dog will leap up on you, lick your face, and wag its tail. One way to know someone loves and misses you is by their excitement and joy when they see you.
They want to be touched. The infamous lean, a short nuzzle, or a cuddle are all examples of this. These are all indications that your dog wants to demonstrate affection. The best course of action is to let them complete this on their own terms, so resist the impulse to tightly hug them.
They wish to rest close to you. Dogs naturally sleep adjacent to each other in packs. They put their noses to the breeze to detect any odors that might indicate danger. Your dog is expressing trust and security when it curls up next to you or wants to sleep in your room.
They look at you sweetly. Dogs reserve the ability to maintain eye contact with someone they love and trust since it is a huge move. Direct eye contact is an aggressive action in the wild. They employ this strategy to scare one another and assert their supremacy. Your dog is staring affectionately in your direction when they meet your right in the eyes and maintain eye contact without their pupils expanding.
They inquire after you. cooking, watching TV, and using the restroom Your dog tries to be there for you throughout the entire experience. Your dog might visit you in bed once or they might follow you around the home all the time. One of the many ways your dog displays affection is by checking in on you. They are checking on your wellbeing!
When they lick you. There are a variety of reasons why your dog might lick you, but in the end, it’s always out of affection. They want to talk to you and get your attention. They can be getting ready to play or simply giving a kiss before a snuggle. They want to let you know they care in either case.
Their toys are shared. When your dog wants to play, they may occasionally tease you with their toy, but when they truly want to show their love, they’ll give it to you as a gift. They want to give the person they care about their most precious thing. It certainly sounds like a lot of love.
Only when there is food involved are you second. A dog that loves you will put you before everything—even a full bowl of food. Only then will they fall head over heels in love with anything else.
