So, I have a four-month-old baby and an 18-month-old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
I’ve noticed that whenever I bring my baby near her so they can get to know each other, she tends to want to lick his hands and things like that... I pull her away straight away, but I’m wondering why she’s doing it? Is this normal behaviour?
Translated from French
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I don’t think it’s weird at all. Dogs, especially mums, lick their pups constantly during those first few weeks. I don't see what's so surprising about them doing the same with human babies.
It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that a dog's mouth can carry all sorts of different germs. It’s probably best to avoid it if possible, or at least wash the area they've licked. Since a baby's immune system isn't fully developed yet, they are much more sensitive than adults to any bacteria or parasites a dog might be carrying. The risk is a lot lower if the dog is in good health and up to date with their vaccinations and flea and worming treatments.
She wants to soothe him when he cries; it’s natural and sweet.
She’s licking him calmly and for quite a while... it’s like a cuddle, grooming, and showing affection—basically, it seems completely gentle and loving. She’s just getting to know the new addition to the family.
I might be wrong, but I don’t see any reason to worry here. For instance, she isn’t growling at the baby, she isn’t whining while she licks, she’s not nipping, and she’s not pawing at him... and she’s nice and calm.
Hi,
Is she calm around the baby? That’s a vital point.
Dogs lick for many reasons. Is she licking calmly or more quickly/frantically? In the second case, it could be due to stress she’s feeling herself, or she might be doing it to soothe others if she’s picking up on their stress...
If she’s licking calmly, she might just be getting to know the little one. Dogs lick our hands to gauge things like our temperature, heart rate (in a way), and our emotions...
Some dogs can even detect illnesses in humans this way, alongside their sense of smell.
I’m not saying your baby is ill, but just that if your dog is doing it calmly, it’s mostly about getting to know your baby better. A bit like how mother dogs lick their pups for grooming, to soothe them, and so on...
Always keep a close eye on them, but if your dog is calm, don’t necessarily stop this natural contact (well, unless the dog has just licked some poo beforehand! 😅)
There could be a few reasons for this; maybe she really likes it, or it might just be curiosity or a nice scent. When you get close, does she go straight in to lick it, or does she back away a bit first?
