Ear licking is a common behavior in dogs, but the question on board is, why does my male dog lick my female dog’s ear? This is the right place for you, as it answers this question and more. So, keep reading for more information!
Here are ten reasons why your male dog licks your female dog’s ear:
1. Form of Greeting
Male dogs love saying hello to their female counterparts by licking their ears. This happens especially when the two dogs are new to each other, showing friendliness. This is also a way of creating rapport with other dogs to eliminate fighting threats. However, this behavior is accompanied by other submissive postures and body language that only canine friends understand.
2. Grooming
Dogs need a little help cleaning themselves, especially the ears, where their tongue may be a problem reaching out. In most cases, dogs are always interested in the taste of the ear wax and in making the female feel relaxed and at ease.
Nevertheless, too much licking of the ear can lead to further infections, which can be fatal to your dog’s health.
3. Curiosity
Curiosity arises when a dog gets bored; hence, it tries to stimulate its mind through different activities. Dogs use their noses and tongues to explore different parts of female dogs, especially when they sense any ear infection.
If this licking persists, providing your dogs with toys and giving them at least an hour of outdoor activity to stimulate their minds is essential.
4. Bonding
When dogs want to create a bond of trust, they usually engage in different behaviors, such as lying around them and licking their ears. Bonding helps dogs create a good friendship between themselves, reducing their chances of fighting and territorial behavior.
Female dogs get attracted to dogs that lick their ears, as it makes them feel good and enjoy their company.
5. Compulsive Licking
Compulsive licking raises concerns because it usually means your dog is not in the right state of health. Usually, compulsive licking makes your dog lick their roommate’s ears and everything around them. This obsessive licking can damage the skin, paving the way for further infections.
If you notice your dog obsessively licking objects, consider having a veterinary checkup to advise you on what action to take to prevent the situation from going on.
6. Courtship Behavior
Male dogs mainly portray courtship behavior because they like dominating. Female dogs are usually submissive to their male counterparts to create room for affection rather than fights. Therefore, during the courtship phase, you will notice that the male dog will lick the female’s ear and rub its fur more often to show affection. Their eyes are usually bright, and their bond usually becomes stronger with time.
7. Stress
Dogs lick their partner’s ears to let their stress out. Usually, anxiety leads to dogs developing stress, especially when they are scared or have been separated from their loved ones. Therefore, what can lead to a dog’s stress includes separation, a new environment, new foods, etc.
In this case, your dog can adopt the very obsessive behavior of licking the females’ ears to distract itself from feeling stressed.
8. Infectious Ears
Once a dog notices an infection on another dog’s ear, it will want to taste it, hence trying to explore with its mouth. If there is a discharge in that ear, the dog will get even more interested in licking it.
This licking eases the pain in the infected ear; hence, you will not notice any behavior of discomfort. Nonetheless, ensure you treat the infected ear as soon as possible to prevent paving the way for further infection of a dog’s body.
9. Submission
Submissiveness is what attracts dogs to each other. Licking female dogs’ ears is a form of submission, especially when they belong to the same pack. Also, it helps them become more compatible with each other, hence spreading affection toward each other. Dogs that lick each other stay together.
10. Love Earwax Taste
Dogs are always after the wax found in the ears. Earwax is composed of pollen, dirt, debris, dead skin cells, and microbes, attracting dogs to it.
Ear licking occurs more often, especially when the ear has more ear wax, but this behavior also stops for a while when it seizes. It is important to maintain your dog’s hygiene to prevent obsessive licking.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Other Dogs Eyes and Ears?
Your dog licks your other dogs’ eyes and ears to show affection and friendliness. This is how dogs portray their love for each other, enabling them to strengthen their bonds. This happens when dogs are in their courtship phase to attract their other counterparts towards them.
Similarly, this is part of grooming. Licking other dogs’ eyes and ears is one way of helping out the other dog to groom, especially after being washed. Dogs like looking appealing before their mates and owners; hence, they help each other groom by aligning their fur well with their bodies.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Licking My Other Dogs Ear?
If you want to stop your dog from licking your other dog’s ear, consider following these three tips:
1. Offer Licking Toys
Toys are the best distractors you can give the licking dog. Generally, toys keep dogs’ minds stimulated so that they do not even get the time to get idle and think of licking another dog’s ear. Also, ensure the chewing toys are clean to prevent paving the way for microbes that will cause further infections.
2. Training Sessions
It is important to get time for the training sessions of your dogs to make them aware that licking another dog’s ear is not healthy. Usually, in the training sessions, ensure to associate other dogs licking with a bad thing that will scare them, making this behavior seize.
3. Maintaining General Hygiene
Primarily, dogs lick each other’s ears due to the dirt and debris. General cleanliness is the best policy to adopt to prevent ear licking. Wash your dog more often with an antiseptic soap to remove mites and wax.
Related Articles
Why Is My Male Dog Licking Everything? (Unveiling the Truth)
Why Is My Dog Biting His Foot? (Causes & How to Stop It)
How to Get Rid of Flies on My Dog | 8 Quick and Easy Steps
Why Does My Dog Rub His Back Against Me? (8 Surprising Reasons!)
Can Dogs Eat Rabbit Fur? Rabbit Ears with Fur On or Fur Off? (Solved!)