So, even though it may look cute, a dog licking a baby's face should not be allowed. In fact, I don't recommend it even for healthy adults. If your dog likes to give the adults in the family “kisses,” let them lick your hand and then immediately wash your hand thoroughly afterward.
"Studies have confirmed this exposure, and it can lead to mouth and gum infections, or even systemic infections," he says. But, germs aside, it's also extremely important, for safety's sake, to help your dog understand that he is not the baby's master or pack playmate.
✔Praise and reward when your dog is next to your baby and doesn't lick them. ✔Redirect your dog's attention to a toy, chew toy, or puzzle toy. ✔Teach your dog to have a toy in their mouth when they approach your baby. ✔Be consistent with boundaries.
Infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get sick from germs that animals can carry. This is because young children often touch surfaces that may be contaminated with animal feces (poop), and they like to put their hands in their mouths.
Remember, NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY AND DOG TOGETHER UNSUPERVISED, even if you trust your dog. As your child grows up you will have to continue to supervise interactions with your dog since many attacks occur against children that do not realise that they are irritating or threatening animals.
At no time should a small child be left alone with a dog, no matter the age, breed, size, or temperament of the canine. Dogs are unpredictable animals, and despite domestication, can still have predatory drives.
Never leave the baby alone with the dog even for a second. Dogs can become agitated by the sounds and movements of a baby. Dogs have been know to try to move a baby by carrying the baby in their mouths the way a mother dog might do with her puppies.
But dogs have plenty of bacteria in their mouths that you don't want in your mouth or on your face. Certain bacteria, such as campylobacter and salmonella, and parasites like ringworm, can be easily transmitted from your animal to you or your child.
But some types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that pets can carry can make people sick though a bite or scratch, or if someone has contact with an animal's waste, saliva, or dander.
The most common illness your child might get from a pet is a stomach illness. These are spread by germs or bugs such as: salmonella. campylobacter.
If you're allergic to the proteins in a dog's saliva and the dog licks you, your immune system will activate and attack the proteins in the saliva just as if they were a virus or bacteria on the skin. This can result in a rash or hives, and your skin can become itchy, red, and/or swollen.
Licking another dog's face or a human's face is a normal social behavior. Licking can be an appeasement gesture that signals a dog's social deference. It can also be a signal to solicit food, more social information, a sign of affection or to solicit attention.
It's usually because there is something going on around them that they perceive as a threat. Dogs who are licking their lips are usually sending the message that they are worried. Dogs lick their lips to appease and soothe a person or animal they see as a threat in order to ward off aggression.
Veterinarians say that licking can be a submissive gesture, but that when domestic dogs lick humans, it usually is just what we like to think it is: a sign of affection. If you don't like it, you've got to train your dog not to lick you or your children.
Pet allergies happen when your child's immune system reacts to an animal's dander (tiny skin flakes that are like dandruff), saliva, pee, or poop and goes into overdrive.
Ear Licking is a Complex Canine Behavior
The ears are a place that can get pretty dirty, and dogs are unable to groom them on their own. If you see a dog licking ears, whether they belong to another dog, a cat, or even you, he or she is saying two things: I am comfortable with you and accept you as part of my pack.
“When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin,” says Sonia Batra, MD, dermatologist and co-host on the show The Doctors.
“Dog saliva likely will do little harm to intact human skin, but could lead to irritation or even infections if there are any breaks in your skin barrier. You are most at risk if the saliva comes in contact with your mucous membranes, such as your mouth.”
As unlikely as it sounds, scientific evidence suggests that dog saliva, and even human saliva, has some antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Dog saliva is even slightly bactericidal against Escherichia coli (E. coli), and against Streptococcus canis, which can be passed from companion animals to humans.
While babies are born without the germs that cause tooth decay, they can get them from their parents. Research shows that, in effect, babies can “catch” caries (tooth decay) from their parents.
Human and dog mouths have “a large number and a wide variety of bacteria,” Fobian says. Fortunately, most of it doesn't make us sick, but some can. Parasites like hookworm, roundworm, and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking. Salmonella, too, can be passed from your dog to you, or vice versa.
Try to give your dog lots of attention when the baby is present. Teach her that when he's around, she gets treats, petting, playing—and anything else she likes. When you feed the baby, you can feed your dog, too. When you walk your dog, do your best to take the baby along.
'” When a dog has a strong pack drive and is tightly bonded with his family, it's only natural that he becomes protective of a new baby when he or she arrives. Canines are smitten with babies and can form strong connections because of the amount of time spent together.