'They know': First-time mom bombarded with doggo kisses after becoming pregnant, then gets wholesome advice regarding her furbaby's overly affectionate mood

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 22, 2025 5:00 AM EDT

To everyone's dismay, dogs don't speak English. They bark, they cry, they grumble, they whine, but they never speak their mind in the clarity of the Queen's English! But that doesn't mean that your pooch has nothing to say; in fact, it's quite the opposite. Dogs are extremely chatty, speaking their mind and sharing their thoughts with their closest humans in other ways, usually through dog language like touch, gestures, and a whole lot of licking. 

Tails tucking, ears perking, and a big ol' yawn from time to time are classic ways that dogs try to communicate with us. But what's with all the licking? This woman was bombarded with doggie kisses when she became pregnant and wondered the same thing. After being accosted with licks, loving, and a newly christened velcro dog, she knew something was afoot, but she didn't expect her dog's pack mentality to be so wholesome and adorable.  

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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Ever since I got pregnant, my dog won't stop licking me. Why and what can I do to stop it?
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  • Before becoming pregnant, my dog rarely licked me and I never had trouble with her licking excessively. However, about 7 months into my pregnancy, she
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  • began trying to lick me all the time licking my hands, arms, and legs for minutes at a time (but what feels like an eternity). My baby is now 1.5 months old,
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  • and the licking has continued. I tell her to "leave it" (a command she knows) and try to move away from her, but nothing works short of covering myself up with
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  • blankets. She's now started to lick the baby too, which is cute but not great for her little underdeveloped immune system.
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  • Any idea why this is happening and how I can get it to stop? I love her so much but the licking is driving me crazy. Pic included for dog tax
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  • LSMFT23 Try thinking of this as a communication behavior from the dog, from their standpoint. In a pack, females will often participate in grooming a related female prior to
    via LSMFT23
  • whelping. It's a mutual support behavior, as well as the canine equivalent of a "check-up". AFTER whelping, it's continued care (ALL kids are exhausting work) and grooming the pups is used for pack bonding, hygiene and again, "check- ups".
    via LSMFT23
  • In short, this pattern is PRIMARILY telling you two things: licking you says your dog wants to make sure you're holding up ok. Licking the baby tells you she accepts the new
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  • kid as a pack/family member, and wants to help take care of the baby, understand them and bond with them. These are the good things.
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  • It may ALSO indicate that the changes of routine and the fact that she's not always the center of attention have left her a bit insecure, and she wants to remain important to
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  • your family. As such, she's trying to support and appease you in order to get your attention and keep your affection.
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  • I'd suggest that you consider the following approaches: when she starts licking folks, be quick to show approval and reward with affection, but after a couple of seconds, redirect
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  • her to another rewardable behavior - have her lie down and give her a food treat. After a few minutes, reward her for being patient with a few moments of exclusive attention.
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  • If you can find the time and energy, take a mom & doghter break and give her a little extra attention and nuturing, just like you would for a toddler in your family. She's going through
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  • this change with you, and is trying to be supportive Giving her some support back is going to help her feel more secure in the family.
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  • sunflowerseedcake OP Thank you so much for the detailed, thoughtful answer. I think you're right that she has been feeling a bit out of place - I was very sick while pregnant and couldn't maintain our normal walk/play routine, and she's seemed a little off ever since. Since having the baby, I've been
    via sunflowerseedcake
  • feeling a lot better and have been trying to take her out and have some alone time with her, but it's been hard since I'm a solo parent and don't have much help with my baby. I will say that I think we are having a breakthrough. She has been sleeping in her bed
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  • the last few weeks but last night, cuddled up right against me for almost half an hour and allowed me to just pet her and snuggle. It was like old times. I will definitely try out your suggestion to let her get a few licks in, give her some love, and then switch to another behavior and treat her. And also try to see if I can find more time to just focus on her. She's my first baby and my best girl
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  • Nolby84. They know
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  • Georgia_Jay I volunteer as tribute to accept ALL the licks. Send them my way. That dog is gorgeous.
    via Georgia_Jay

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wholesome hilarious dogs cute dogs adorable pupper puppy cuteness dog memes puppies relatable pooch cute canine parenting Memes funny dogs howling pregnant mom funny
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