Behavior

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4 min read

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Why Dogs Don't Like Blowing In Their Face

Behavior

|

4 min read

|

Why Dogs Don't Like Blowing In Their Face

Common

Normal


Introduction

Dogs are happy-go-lucky creatures that bring joy to everyone they encounter. However, there are certain things which they find annoying and one is people blowing in their faces. There are some actions that are amusing to humans that can be incredibly irritating to your pet. If you have ever blown on your dog’s face you must have noticed the discomfort and you may even find them a little defensive and even violent. This may come as a surprise knowing that dogs seem to relish hanging their heads out of the vehicle’s window and having the full force of the wind blow on their faces. Well, dogs cannot talk so all we can do is make assumptions about it. Practice caution and stop blowing on your dog’s face to play it safe.

The Root of the Behavior

Jowls flapping, ears blowing in the wind, eyes closed in ecstasy, the pure look of utter happiness – these are the things you see when your dog is in the car, face out the window! It looks like the closest thing to heaven they can get on earth. Humans do not enjoy having a strong gust of wind hit them directly in the face so why does Fido like it? Why does Fido seem to live for these moments? Only dogs know for sure and we can only surmise. One of the reasons dogs don’t appreciate being blown in the face is that it is simply too close for comfort and they do not really understand what is going on. In order to blow on a dog’s face, you have to put your face pretty close to them and there are some dogs that are not comfortable with this. Other dogs just do not like being stared at directly in the face.

This is one of the most common reasons why children are bitten by canines. Their height puts them directly to the dog’s face and some dogs are just not comfortable with such close proximity. When people put their faces close, some dogs show signs of distress such as yawning, licking their lips, and turning their head. Therefore, humans should avoid putting their faces up close if they see the aforementioned signs. There are some dogs that do not mind having their human’s face so close to them but then they do not like the unexpected blow of air. Unlike humans, dogs are unable to blow air from their mouths so it comes as a surprise to them when we do it which makes them likely to react in a manner which seems to turn into a growl. It would not be a surprise if they end up biting the person’s face.

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Encouraging the Behavior

Suffice it to say that blowing on a dog’s face is something that is not encouraged and something that must not be done deliberately. When a dog snaps or growls upon being blown in the face, it should be taken as a warning that he does not like such type of play or interaction and the safest thing to do is to stop unless you like to have your face bitten. A snap or a growl is a dog’s way of communicating and they are trying to say that they do not like what you are doing and that you should stop. If you continue to do it, the growl or snap is likely to escalate into a bite. If you ignore the growl, the behavior will intensify and the situation will have more tension. You must absolutely not let little children blow in a dog’s face. A lot of videos have been posted on the Internet and some people find it funny, but it is not. At some point, the dog may feel he has no choice but to escalate his behavior and bite and this can do lots of damage. The last thing you want is to have part of your face bitten off by your beloved canine.

Other Solutions and Considerations

It is important to show respect to your dog’s boundaries, just as you want to have people show the same respect to yours. If your dog has shown discomfort when you blow in his or her face, it is a good idea to keep your distance and to not do it again. Dogs are loving and sensitive animals that remain loyal to their owners and if you are to create a strong bond with them, you should learn to understand and respect them. Just as you strive to correct unpleasant behaviors in your dog, you must do the same in order to achieve a happy and harmonious existence. 

Conclusion

Blowing in a dog’s face might seem like an innocent action for humans but it means so much more to canines. You may even find it funny. However, it is something which most dogs dislike and it should be avoided at all costs if you do not want your sweet dog to get angry and bite you in the face. 

Written by a Shiba Inu lover Patty Oelze

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 02/25/2018, edited: 01/30/2020

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