07/10/2026
Let's talk about the question every new mum secretly googles at 2am: should I let my dog lick my baby?
Before we get to should, it helps to know why they do it. Usually it's one of these:
- Baby has recently eaten and there are tasty bits left on their face.
- Your dog has a long history of being rewarded for licking people. If face licks have always got a big fuss, they'll keep offering them.
- Your dog is feeling a bit uncomfortable and is actually asking for space. (Their body language can tell you a lot. I've written about it here: https://dohertydogservices.com/your-dogs-body-language-what-it-means/)
What it's definitely not: your dog trying to be dominant over your child. The alpha myth has been debunked for years but it's somehow still knocking about. Dogs aren't trying to be the boss of you or your kids.
So, should you let it happen? Honestly, it depends on the context, your dog, your baby and how you feel about it. Let's be real, it's not the most hygienic thing considering where else dogs put their tongues...
If you're NOT comfortable with it, Just ask your dog to do something else they already know, ideally something that adds a bit of space.
Send them to their bed, or ask them to go and fetch a favourite toy. You can also ask for a "leave", reward with a tasty treat, then ask them to do something else.
If your dog keeps going back to the baby and you can't call them away, it's worth getting a professional to help. You don't have to figure that out alone. If you'd like a hand, you can book an intro call here:
https://calendly.com/dohertydogservices/introductory-call
And whatever you decide, always supervise baby and dog, or keep them separated.
What's your rule in your house- is it a hard no or is the odd lick ok?! Let me know in the comments.
