Why Dogs Lick

When a dog licks a person it can be irritating and uncomfortable, but it all depends on if you have a liking to dogs because otherwise, it's a nice feeling. It's not everybody who would like to be licked by a dog. Dogs also lick other dogs and themselves constantly. It's best to first know the cause of the licking in order to know how to curb it if it gets out of hand. The following are some of the reasons.

For cleaning purposes.

Dogs lick themselves clean. They will use licking as a way to groom themselves, this is by licking their face clean, their pawns and also the body.

We taste good.

Yes, our bodies have a salty taste that the dogs enjoy licking, this will lead to the dog constant licking so as to enjoy that taste. A dog will lick you when you have a new smell and it wants to taste it.

As a form of communication.

A dog may be licking so as to pass a message; maybe it's feeding time, grooming time or it may need something. It's good to check out and see what may be needed and as soon as it's sorted the licking will stop. If its licking another dog maybe it means that it likes the dog.

Attention seeking.

The dog may be neglected and therefore it's seeking to be noticed and recognized. As soon as you take note the licking may stop. A dog may simply want to be included in whatever the owner is doing, maybe they are having a talk and the dog is just out watching.

As a form of affection.

The dog uses licking to show its affection towards the owner and other family members and also towards other dogs. When the dog is constantly licking you, it's a form of affection towards you.

Skin irritation and allergies.

The skin maybe irritable as a result of maybe being dirty and therefore have bred flies which causes constant itching and scratching which the dog will calm down by licking. Allergies also result in a lot of scratching and the dog will resort to licking to calm down. Therefore check the skin so as to be sure.

Injuries and pain.

If the dog has been injured, he will lick the wound constantly to clean it and also because saliva from the dog helps in speeding the healing process. The dog will lick an injured body part to help relieve the pain.

Stress and boredom.

The dog may develop a liking to licking, the reason being bored. When it has nothing to do with its alone, it turns to licking. When the dog has stressed it turns to licking which is good since it helps in relieving stress.

In conclusion, it's advisable to visit a veterinary officer for consultation and also to ascertain the reason behind the licking. When a dog continuously licks one part it should be stopped so as to avoid it turning to a serious wound and to also avoid hair loss.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Dogs-Lick&id=9817422

Pain May Cause Aggression In Dogs

Aggression in dogs is actually quite unusual. Dogs are generally friendly, sociable creatures that enjoy spending time with people and with each other. When a dog shows aggression, there is always a reason for it. Behavior doesn't happen in a vacuum. There is always cause and effect, even if the cause does not seem to be very important to us as human beings.

Just as with people, aggression in dogs is usually a sign of insecurity. This can be caused by a number of different things. A very small dog may be aggressive simply as a way of being safe. We've all seen little dogs, such as Chihuahuas, that always display a defensive or even aggressive stance. The reason for this is that these little dogs want to prevent being hurt. They feel that the best defense is a good offense.

Insecurity in dogs can be caused by many circumstances. A change of household can cause a dog to feel insecure. This can mean moving from one house to another with its owner, changing owners, adding a new baby or new pet to an existing household or any other change.

One change that can definitely make a dog aggress is pain. If you have a dog that has always been friendly and non-aggressive who becomes aggressive suddenly for no apparent reason, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your dog may be ill or injured or even heavily infested with fleas. All of these things can cause pain and discomfort that will make your dog take a defensive or even aggressive stance to prevent being hurt.

An older dog may become aggressive due to problems such as arthritis. Your vet can prescribe medications that will relieve your dog's pain and help him or her feel secure once more.

A dog that stays outdoors and does not have a lot of supervision may be injured in a number of ways. If you are foolish enough to let your dog run around loose, you can expect him or her to be hit by a car. This does not always result in severe, life-threatening injuries. A sprain or bruise hurts just as much for a dog as it does for a person and may cause your dog to show aggression to prevent being hurt more.

Dogs that are heavily infested with fleas may also be very aggressive. Flea nests cause severe itching, allergic reactions and even pain. Being infested with fleas can literally drive a dog crazy. If you are not treating your dog regularly for fleas and he or she begins to show aggression for no apparent reason, suspect fleas and see your vet for proper treatment.

Remember it is always important to consult your veterinarian about behavioral changes in your dog. No amount of behavior management or training will help if your dog is ill, injured or in pain for any reason at all.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Pain-May-Cause-Aggression-In-Dogs&id=8954072