Dogs do not naturally understand kisses from humans, according to Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, a veterinary behaviorist at the SPCA of Texas.

That observation matters because many owners assume face‑to‑face gestures like kisses are clearly affectionate to their pets. Tynes, who also owns Premier Veterinary Behavior Consulting in Sweetwater, Texas, said such interactions can be misread by dogs and may increase anxiety when they involve direct eye contact or getting in a dog’s face. Dogs understand and respond positively to several forms of affection that align more closely with their natural communication styles, such as gentle petting or quiet attention.

“If you think about it, dogs don’t do this to each other out of affection, so they probably don’t understand it from us,” said Valarie Tynes, DVM. She added that people sometimes expect dogs to accept human behaviors on human terms. “Unfortunately, a lot of people have the attitude that a dog should do whatever we want and put up with it, but that is not a very respectful way to treat our best friend.” In fact, a 2023 OnePoll survey found that 55% of pet owners believe kissing is an important way to show affection, suggesting a widespread assumption that dogs enjoy this kind of physical contact.

Tynes described how dogs can display subtle signals that a kiss is unwelcome. Dogs might yawn or sneeze when kissed, which could indicate discomfort or anxiety, and they often lick as a form of appeasement or to maintain social bonds. Understanding canine body language helps owners recognize when dogs feel relaxed, fearful, or stressed, allowing them to adjust their interactions accordingly.

Those body‑language cues are what guardians should watch for when deciding whether a dog is comfortable with close contact. Research and expert summaries emphasize that relaxed posture and soft eyes differ sharply from turning away, stiffening or showing the whites of the eyes; reading those signals helps people judge whether physical affection is welcome. For further context on interpreting canine signals, readers can consult Nature’s reporting on dog–owner relationship research.

Tynes cautioned that some animals learn to tolerate hugs and kisses, especially from familiar people; others never come to enjoy them. “Some dogs become used to being hugged or kissed and tolerate it, but it’s a rare dog that truly enjoys this kind of interaction,” she said. This distinction between tolerance and enjoyment is crucial, as a dog conditioned to accept a kiss may still experience the contact as something to endure rather than a pleasurable exchange. Practical guidance on showing affection in ways dogs understand — such as using gentle petting and observing response — appears in pet‑care resources like Olk9Iowa’s guide to ways dogs show affection.

Tynes framed kissing as a distinctly human behavior rather than a shared canine social ritual, suggesting people view it more as a personal habit than something dogs naturally understand. She also warned that direct eye contact can be perceived as threatening by many dogs, and leaning in to kiss can therefore escalate fear or stress. Overall, understanding how to engage with dogs based on their body language enhances communication, reduces misunderstandings, and supports a stronger bond.

The observations in this piece draw on Tynes’s experience at the SPCA of Texas and her clinical practice at Premier Veterinary Behavior Consulting. They align with broader behavior‑science summaries that note affectionate contact can strengthen bonds in some owner–dog pairs but that individual responses vary widely.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.