Baby + Dog

vanillasugar

just call me Nilly
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#1
Alright guys, Sierra loves to kiss faces. Anyone who knows that, knows that. She is a face kisser. Period. Of course this has carried on to Carter. Any time we have had this, we have allowed very short kisses, and make sure she's being VERY gentle. So far so good, but it does seem like the basic thing I should stop, since these can go bad so quickly. I know it's typically the child doing the kissing, not the dog... Sierra's the one asking for face attention. But I know we do need to be careful.

Or maybe I'm being silly? How did parents/dog owners deal with babies and dogs?
 
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#2
My one year old is only allowed to pet my mothers dogs under strict supervision and even then only occasionally, and no contact with other dogs as I just don't know them well enough. No touching at all when he was younger then that. He wants to love on them, but he is still a baby with little self control. My moms Chihuahua doesnt care one way or another her Schipperke wants to love all over him but I am very adamant about babies and dogs do not mix. Dogs are domesticated but that doesnt negate the fact they are predatory carnivores.
 

Romy

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#3
With my babies Strider was obsessed with kissing them. I taught him to kiss their feet instead of their faces. That way he still got to be affectionate to them and there wasn't the same issues with germs and dog mouths being next to the baby's face.
 

Grab

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#5
I don't let my dogs lick because it grosses me out (in general, not just limited to the kiddo), so it isn't an issue here. If I did, I'd probably do as stated above..teach them to lick a foot instead
 
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#7
I let em lick...as long as both are content and enjoying it. The germ issue, eh, the kids get into way more germs playing outside, or at "playplaces" etc. Thats a non issue for me.
 

Paige

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#8
If the dog is really gentle I'd let it happen or teach the pooch to licka foot or a two or something. My landlord's dog face washed Briggs all the time and it was never an issue.
 

maxfox426

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#9
Morgan knows the word "enough", so I can call him off if he gets too kissy. All in all, though, Morgan isn't a major licker, and he's very gentle with Justin. We haven't had any actual problems regarding that.

For what it's worth, I don't think you are being silly. The combination of dogs + licking + baby is a subject of personal comfort zone and it's up to you on what is acceptable. You also have to know your dog (as I know you do) to determine what is safe for your child. :)

If you are certain sure that licking is all that Sierra is going to do, I doubt any harm will come of it. That said, if you're not comfortable with face licking on the baby, it's time to teach Sierra to do something else. (I like Romy's feet licking idea!)

Either way, you aren't being silly. You are a thoughtful mom. :)
 

JessLough

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#10
I don't have a kid, and licking grosses me out in general, but I know a good friend of mine who's dog "cleans" the baby's face after eating (obvs she cleans the kids face after, by the dog gets the grossness off :p )

She knows her dog and knows her kid, and has no worries that the dog will take it further
 

porchpotty

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#11
Kids should never be left alone with dogs. I remembered a story in one of the forums when basically, the dog and kid both grew up together and were like best friends. But dogs have fangs, and when they play, there might be a misunderstanding between them. Thus, parents should keep an eye on them.
 

Romy

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#12
I let em lick...as long as both are content and enjoying it. The germ issue, eh, the kids get into way more germs playing outside, or at "playplaces" etc. Thats a non issue for me.
Sometimes my dogs eat raw and chew on raccoons, otherwise it wouldn't bother me as much.
 

Miakoda

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#13
My kids don't like being licked in the face, so I've worked with the dogs to not do it. My boys are also old enough now to tell the dogs "No lick!", and the dogs know what it means.
 

JacksonsMom

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#14
Lilly, my dads JRT mix, is a big licker. She's always given my brother kisses. I think he was around 3 or so when we got her. But licking doesn't really bother me... I let her smother my face too, LOL...
 
K

Kaydee

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#15
We never had a dog when the kids were young but I remember the cats weren't too impressed with babies. One of our boys Jaime used to sleep in the crib with my oldest...
until those teeny, perfect hands found kitty tail

never knew that cat could run so fast heeheehee
 
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#16
Sometimes my dogs eat raw and chew on raccoons, otherwise it wouldn't bother me as much.
My dogs do eat raw:) I wouldnt let them do full on face licks immediately after a meal but other than that. That being said, my dogs are not huge face lickers, they are more a quick swipe on the way by type.

But, I guess what I mean is if the baby/child and dog both enjoy it there is no harm:)
 

Kat09Tails

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#17
We always had the you may sniff but do not touch rule until the kids were a lot older and understood that fur isn't for deathgrips and we had time to practice soft touch as opposed to whacking the dog in the head.
 

vanillasugar

just call me Nilly
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#18
I'm really appreciative of all the posts for this post! Thanks guys :)

I think I like the idea of training Sierra to work more on toes/feet than face. Actually it's something I'd like to work on for ALL people for this, not just Carter. I've never had a problem with her licking, but it's something that drives other people, and she's the kind of dog that just wants to give you kisses. A lot. So changing away from face is probably a good idea...
 

Kilter

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#19
Just use common sense, unless your dog has worms etc. or just ate a big raw meal, she's likely fine. My kids get a lot of doggie attention and oddly enough we don't have a long history of going to the doctor because they're sick.

I think the germs and dirt they consume scares away any viruses that might think about making them sick.
 

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