“Ah! Look they are kissing!”

 

“Ah! Look they are kissing!”

No, no they are not. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Although this behavior may look cute, the behavior of licking another dog’s mouth serves an important function. This behavior, along with others, is classified as “pacifying” behavior.The Merrian-Webster defines the word pacifying as “to restore to a tranquil state.”Pacifying behaviors in dogs function to suppress or decrease aggressive or dominant behavior. Essentially trying to “make peace” with the situation at hand.

Other pacifying behaviors include muzzle nudging, paw lifting, and the “canine twist” most often seen in young puppies. The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) may show pacifying behavior in a conflict over resources such as food, territory, or mating partners. Whatever they feel the need to control.

By using discrete body language, they not only conserve their energy for more important matters but also decrease the chances of escalation leading to injury or death of themselves or a packmate. (Let’s be clear packmates are between dogs. NOT between dogs and people.) An interesting fact about pacifying behavior is that it also pacifies the dog who is displaying the behavior! You may also notice dogs trying to pacify us, humans when we get frustrated or upset! Dogs are masters of non-verbal communication. The more we learn about their behaviors the more information we receive.

“Be a friend. Not an owner.”