Do you let other people's pets...

kikijbunny · November 2011

...lick your baby?

First off, I'll admit I'm not a dog person (and do not like it when dogs try to lick me), but am I being too sensitive about this? Granted this dog belonged to a family member, but I wasn't keen on the fact that this someone was trying to get their dog to lick my son so they could snap a picture (DS is 6 months old). I was not asked about this, just happened to catch the attempt before it succeeded.

Ah well, it might also be due to the fact that this same person has done other stuff involving my son without asking first (ETA: like clipped his nails, tried to give him a sugary ice pop well before I'd introduced solid food), but this particular situation still irks me a bit.

brandenburdett · November 2011

I have a dog and I would not like it to lick other kids. She does, but then we discipline her. I certainly wouldn't encourage it.

LauraLynneC · November 2011

your baby, your rules. period.

Em&Bee · November 2011

I AM a dog person and NO I don't like my child being licked. If it's just once, like a hello lick that we don't catch, that's no biggie, or sometimes my mom's Yorkie gets a quick lick in here or there, but when they just want to lick and lick and lick........blech!

stever · November 2011

Now: yes. When he was Milo's age: hell no!

BrideBuddies · November 2011

No friggin' way. I'm on your side of the couch.

kikijbunny · November 2011

Thanks, ladies. It's hard to know sometimes when I'm being reasonable or ridiculous. Sounds like my instincts were okay here.

I know I can't shelter M from everything (and shouldn't), but it just seemed unnecessary for him to get slobbered all over just yet. He has a fine enough time doing that to himself!

ateytelb · November 2011

That's dangerous!

Pearly609 · November 2011

I like dogs, my son has two of them, but I don't even like to see his dogs lick him, let alone a child. I get upset when strangers touch my babies hands or face, I don't know how I'd react with the dog licking thing.

You have the right to feel however you feel. Your baby.

Pesky · November 2011

I tend to shrug it off if that happens (hey, some dogs are pretty licky) but would be beyond irritated if someone egged it on without asking me or respecting my preference.

dmoreilly · November 2011

I am a dog person and we always taught our dogs not to lick as we all thought it pretty gross. As a pp said, once as an introduction perhaps, but still let the dog know this is unacceptable. They can be taught and none of our dogs would lick strangers or family.

I don't go around licking people, why would I want to be licked by some other creature?

Snow1010 · November 2011

I'm a dog person and we have a lab that loves kids. Our neighbors have twin 2 year olds and a 4 year old. Our dog is wonderful with them, but I always say to their parents that they need to tell me when they are uncomfortable with the interaction.

Our dog will greet them and sometimes do one lick to the face or hand, but she never "over licks" to the point of being gross or annoying. But if the parents told me they didn't like it, I would not allow our dog to do it.

Strunella · November 2011

DS actually got a big sloppy kiss from my friend's Yorkie on Monday. It wasn't encouraged; it just happened. I wasn't really too concerned about it as he is rarely around this dog. I think the dog just licks everything in sight, but he was adopted very late in life so it's likely too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

kikijbunny · November 2011

Agreed, a random spontaneous lick here or there, I can accept that. But my negative reaction to this person's telling the dog to lick M was met with "Oh, come on... it's so cute!" or thereabouts. But they did stop, though, which was appreciated. I just didn't like being made to feel like the spoil sport.

Maggee206 · November 2011

Not if I can help it! I am neither a dog hater nor germ-a-phobe but dogs lick everything and while their stomachs may be able to handle the germs ours cannot. ...and when our older one was old enough to try to suck the dog's nose, I didn't let that happen either. My 2 cents.

gimmietimmies · November 2011

Ugh, yuck. I don't let my mil'd dog lick S, I don't care for animals licking young kids. Esp. in your case, not good for little ones and immune comprimised people.

JilliansMoma · November 2011

If dogs used toilet paper then maybe but since they don't . . . JM

kikijbunny · November 2011

JilliansMoma:
If dogs used toilet paper then maybe but since they don't . . . JM

Yep, that's where I'm coming from. Of course, when I mentioned that M had just finally gotten over a bad cough he had had all through October (complete with nebulizer use and two courses of antibiotics), and my being more of a cat person (some attempt on my part at being consiliatory), the quip I got in reply was, "well [dog's name] doesn't have a cold, and cats are much less sanitary than dogs!" Um, yeah, and? Still doesn't mean I let cats lick my son, either. grrrr...

robynlesley · November 2011

No way!

I AM a dog person and we REALLY did our best to dissuade our dog from licking Aaron--especially when he was a newborn/infant. We let a few licks on his bare feet go (and Aaron HATED that) but stopped Casey before he got to his face.

Now that Aaron is 2, we're pretty lax about it. Casey only tries to steal Aaron's Cheerios now and Aaron will say "Caykee stop!"

Anyway, I'd be upfront and say that you're not comfortable with this. The dog owner needs to respect your wishes.

OscarQ · November 2011

kikijbunny:

JilliansMoma:
If dogs used toilet paper then maybe but since they don't . . . JM

Yep, that's where I'm coming from. Of course, when I mentioned that M had just finally gotten over a bad cough he had had all through October (complete with nebulizer use and two courses of antibiotics), and my being more of a cat person (some attempt on my part at being consiliatory), the quip I got in reply was, "well [dog's name] doesn't have a cold, and cats are much less sanitary than dogs!" Um, yeah, and? Still doesn't mean I let cats lick my son, either. grrrr...

I don't think this person is ever going to see things your way.

That being said, purposefully egging a dog on to lick a baby (or anyone really) - NO! I have a dog and he licks my son all.the.time - it bugs but it's my dog, my baby and it is spontaneous. I about die whenever my dog licks someone else and my sister nearly had a cow when my dog licked her baby. I get it and I discipline. My dog however is a sweet nut who just wants to love. I do the best I can.

But again, you were in the right here. No egging a dog on to lick anyone.

kikijbunny · November 2011

OscarQ:

I don't think this person is ever going to see things your way.

Unfortunately, I agree. But thank you, and everyone, for your suggestions and support on this. At least I don't have reason to feel intimidated by their opinion.

leffe1 · November 2011

Dogs lick their butts so NO

RaeAnt · November 2011

If the pet licks DS on their own, that's one thing but to have them trying to get the pet to lick you LO?! That's just wrong!

Want a personalized experience?

Do you let other people's pets...

Re: Do you let other people's pets...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards