{"id":927,"date":"2017-04-03T14:22:31","date_gmt":"2017-04-03T21:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/?p=927"},"modified":"2024-07-25T05:21:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T12:21:33","slug":"dog-behavior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/dog-behavior\/","title":{"rendered":"Ear Licking and Beyond: What Does This Dog Behavior Mean? \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dogDogs will be dogs, but when a behavior veers from cute to mildly obsessive to downright annoying, it\u2019s time for a change. Licking ears is one of these canine quirks that sends owners into tailspins of doubt, wonder, frustration, and (hopefully) resolution and relief. If you\u2019re put off by this common dog behavior or have no more patience for it, you\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n

Not Overly Fussy<\/h3>\n

Perhaps you saw our earlier blog regarding why dogs lick<\/a>. Indeed, this dog behavior is normal and natural. Now, your dog may be inclined to lick all ears \u2013 or feel a draw to sample a particular animal or person in the household. While licking ears is a fairly standard dog behavior, there are two possible reasons it occurs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A Complex Dog Behavior<\/h3>\n

Dogs communicate in various ways. From facial expressions to tell-tale body language, dogs find a way to \u201ctalk\u201d to their pack. Ear licking is another method for communication, and while it seems a little gross, it is a typical form of expressing affection. Certainly, this dog behavior is saying \u201cI love you\u201d and \u201cwe belong to the same pack,\u201d regardless of species.<\/p>\n

Also, dogs who are raised together or dogs who are raised with another species tend to participate in mutual grooming. There\u2019s nothing sweeter than seeing your pets cleaning each other, and the ears are simply part of the package. The submissive one will usually be doing the licking as a way to express respect.<\/p>\n

Dog Ear Licking: The Yuck Factor<\/h3>\n

Some dogs have an innate taste<\/a> for somewhat salty ear wax, a fact that can really turn an owner\u2019s stomach. Also, a sudden interest in another animal\u2019s ears can point to an infection or other problem inside the ear canal. Discharge or pus can have a certain smell and taste that\u2019s particularly intriguing to a dog\u2019s refined senses and can help you address the needs of the other pet. We\u2019re happy to take a look in your pet\u2019s ears to ascertain any problems.<\/p>\n

Out of Hand<\/h3>\n

When this dog behavior becomes obsessive, it\u2019s time to intervene. The ears in question can become infected via increased moisture levels, but on a baser level, it can be extremely annoying.<\/p>\n

Distract your licking dog with interactive toys, exercise, or affection. Please let us know if this dog behavior reaches a compulsive level, as medical assistance<\/a> may be necessary.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Despair Over Dog Ear Licking<\/h3>\n

Remember, your dog is not the only one to express him or herself in this way. It\u2019s perfectly normal, and as long as ear licking doesn\u2019t cause problems for anyone else, it\u2019s considered an intrinsic canine quirk.<\/p>\n

To be sure, dog behavior can be very perplexing, but it\u2019s always interesting! If you need help getting to the bottom of ear licking, our team is here for you<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dogs will be dogs, but when a behavior veers from cute to mildly obsessive to downright annoying, it\u2019s time for a change. Licking ears is one of these canine quirks that sends owners into tailspins of doubt, wonder, frustration, and (hopefully) resolution and relief. If you\u2019re put off by this common dog behavior or have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[443,444,445,446],"class_list":["post-927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-training-behavior","tag-ear-licking-pets","tag-licks-pets-ears","tag-pet-behaviors","tag-pet-licks-ears"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Does Dog Ear Licking Mean? \u00a0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re put off by the common dog ear licking behavior or have no more patience for it, you\u2019re in the right place to learn more!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rocklinranchvet.com\/blog\/dog-behavior\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Does Dog Ear Licking Mean? 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