Is your dog licking or kissing?

A while ago, I posted  about my recent dog sitting of a Malamute-Husky dog, Max. I mentioned that he welcomes me to his home by licking me. I have just read an article - of the above mentioned title - by Dr Nicholas Dodman.

In regards to my experience with Max, these could be the possibilities. First, it could be that Max licked "as a gesture of appeasement and goodwill." Or it could be that "it seems that they engage in face licking because they can get away with it and because it gets a rise out of the person. When licking is performed for such a reason, it may be component of the "center stage," attention-demanding behavior of dominant dogs."

In what circumstances do your dogs lick you? Do you allow him/her to do so, or do you welcome and relish it? For me, I welcome and relish licks from any dog.

Max the Malamute-Husky Mix

Over the weekend, I had an opportunity to dog sit Max. It was for two days, twice a day. Max is 8 years old. According to his owner, W.Yee, he could be a mix of a Malamute and Husky. "Could be". This word was mentioned by her because Max was adopted, and she won't be sure. She added that the color of his eyes - brown on the right side, blue on the left side - was the feature which pointed to the possibility of a mix breed in Max.

I made a trip to see Max last Wednesday to get acquainted with him. He welcomed me - and did so for subsequent visits - with hard and full licks on my face. It was the most affectionate lick I have ever got from a dog. As I spoke to W.Yee, I noticed Max just went back to his little bed to rest. He came across as being aloof. It could be that he is already too matured to be concerned with what goes around him; or that one of the characteristics of his breed type is being independent. By the way, Max stays indoor. Later, W.Yee let me walk him around the neighbourhood. According to her, the only objective for Max of going out for walks is to chase cats. He aptly did this when we walked at the backlane of a row of houses. He did pull, but not as determined and forceful as other dogs I have walked; and that of my own dogs. Another habit pointed out by W.Yee is that he will sometimes insist on taking his own route. And if anyone were to do otherwise, he would sit down and plant himself on the ground. After that one hour acquaintance, I was awaiting eagerly for the weekend to arrive.

Saturday morning's session in the house started off well. Got my welcome licks after I entered the house. He minded his own business as I warmed up his meal in the microwave and swept his fur from the floor. His morning meal consist of pre-cooked rice, potatoes, meat and beans. Evening meal is kibbles and fresh milk. I have been told that Max has to sit before getting to eat. He did so without any resistance. His way of eating was very forceful. From putting it into his mouth to licking it. As a result, the floor was littered with the contents.

After eating, it was time to walk. The moment I opened the sliding door, he went right to the garden to urinate. He did this for the next three visits, even though I was holding the retractable leash to signal it was walking time. However he was eager to get out of the house. Guess W.Yee was right. He just wanted to see the cats. But something happened which got me worried for a moment. He was resting on his side (ie photo above) as I was wearing my shoes before leashing him. Suddenly his body quivered, and he was looking at his penis. He got up and the whole of his penis was sticking out. I approached him with the leash, and he growled. He was clearly uncomfortable, and was walking in staggered steps while looking down at his penis. He could not even sit down. So I decided to wait and hope it goes back in. It finally did after 20 minutes. The leash was put on and we were ready to walk. The first walk with Max was not easy. Especially his sitting down and resisiting to move when I wanted to take a route which he did not want to go. He wanted to see the cats at the backlane again before going home.

For the subsequent walks, I avoided the route where there were cats, and took him on other routes. Those walks were very relaxing, as Max was willingly following the route which I took him along. In this neighbourhood, there were many pet dogs. Despite all their barking at us, Max never once looked at them, and went on with his walk and sniffing. I admired this composure. Either he is already used to them, or he is naturally cool and relaxed. The true test of this character was displayed when we came across - on two occasions - dogs which were left out of their house premises by irresponsible dog owners. These dogs were ferociously guarding their territory, with teeth baring and all ready to set upon us. I did not realise, until after the episode, that I was the only one reacting to their threat - shouting, thumping my foot, and pretending to pick up something to throw at them. I know this not what one is supposed to do when encountering such events. But I have to protect my client's dogs, and these guys were approaching real fast and near toward us. I realised Max did not react in any way to these threats. No confrontational stance, no running away to hide, no growl and barks. He was still in his usual composed nature.  While I admired him, I was also embarrassed that I was not at all composed. However, I wonder what Max would have done if dogs had attacked.

On the subject of elimination, Max did not defecate until the third walk (second day). And it was the only time he did it. This habit was affirmed by W.Yee. I guess she was right, Max goes for walks only to chase cats, and not to eliminate.

Pant! Pant! That was one good walk!



After this dog sitting experience, I realised I learnt a lot about him. He is independent, obstinate and aloof. I have also learnt some things from him. Don't be too reactive to stressful events; and to adversity. Only then a person can make a clear and rational decision. However, I wish I could know what was Max thinking in those stressful incidents that we came across.

Doleful, Sad Look

On 20 May I posted this: How do dogs know that showing the puppy-look softens us? The word "puppy-look" is a term regularly used by laymen like me to describe dogs which display that type of look to gain attention.

It was yesterday that I found out there is a term to describe this type of facial expression. I was reading this book: "Breaking Bad Habits in Dogs" by Colin Tennant, and the words he used were "doleful, sad look".

Alpha and the Follower

There are many occasions where Max had displayed a subservient body language to Jon. I managed to capture one such moment. More on this video later. These two dogs are like human siblings. When one is being petted or belly rubbed, the other will come over. Most of the time Max is more of the attention-seeker. He will linger at the door at the entrance to the house while I watch TV, and display his puppy-look face. When I give him the attention , Jon will walk over and put his face in front of me, asking me to also pet him. I am just glad he does not put his whole body between Max and me. He has never done it, because he is not that bad a bully. At the point in time when Jon arrives, Max's ears will turn toward the back in fear. If he is already standing, he will immediately go down on his belly and look away. If he is already at the down position during a belly-rub, he will look away from Jon. But I still have to give attention to both of them simultaneously, while making sure to use one of my hands as a barrier between the two dog's faces - in case Jon snaps at Max. Many times he has growled at Max in response to Max having looked at him.

Now back to this video. This was taken inside the car as I was coming back home. They are both greeting me. See how Jon steps in between the gate and Max - prompting Max to give way - and jumps up to the gate.

Chasing cats is more important than eliminating

I realised this was how Jon prioritised between these two activities. This morning when we were at his favorite stretch of road, Jon began to be in position to eliminate big time. Just as he was in the hunched position, there was a hissing sound 10 meters ahead, and two cats came out from behind a car. One was chasing another. Almost at the same time as I looked at Jon's response and said "Oh no, this can't be happening now", Jon quickly "got up" and sprinted after them. With the leash on him, 6 feet was the most he could go. I looked back to see only one piece of poo excreted. As I picked it up, I told Jon that he has one more kilometre before reaching home to get rid of the rest. He never did eliminate the rest, and I hope he can hold it in till tonight. Do any of your dogs place more emphasis on fulfilling their natural urges of chasing cats than the necessity of eliminating?

Picky on food

There are many types of food which Jon does not like. He does not like vegetables - but he is forced to eat it if I have blended it and mixed with rice and kibbles. He also does not like bananas. However, I am surprised that Jon does not fancy a particular brand of kibbles. Maybe he doesn't like the texture of the kibble, which is a bit soft. His response yesterday was a real snub to this food. Yesterday, I was actually going to train Max with the kibble. When I called Max's name, Jon will - as usual - come over. Only this time, when Jon saw - and did not even sniff - the package I was holding, he just walked away and rested.