What Better Care Than A Puppy That Licks Our Face?
When a puppy licks our face, we feel immense tenderness. If you are anxious, depressed or stressed due to a series of situations that oppress you, sharing a moment of play and caresses with your dog will be more effective than a visit to the psychiatrist, rest assured.
As proof of this, the data speak: the number of dogs used to treat patients with various mental disorders is increasing.
Why do dogs lick our faces?
In addition to the joy and well-being caused by a puppy licking our face, what is the real reason behind this behavior?
The genetic inheritance received by their ancestors, the wolves, is believed to have a lot to do with this behavior.
When adults return from hunting within a pack of wolves, the young receive them by licking their snouts. In addition to being a form of greeting, the gesture serves to stimulate the regurgitation of the food for the puppies by the parents.
In these terms, in addition to greeting you and calling your attention, when your puppy licks your face he is asking you to share what you ate with him.
Other reasons for this behavior
Within canine language, this attitude can also be a sign of calm : it is a way to tell us that we are not a threat to them.
Face licking can also be interpreted as:
- Demonstration of affection.
- Strengthening the bond.
- One way to get information on where the owner has been and what he ate.
There is no better psychiatrist in the world than a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams-
Having a dog is good for your health
In addition to being excellent life companions for the whole family, dogs bring multiple benefits to people’s physical and mental health. For instance:
- They help reduce the level of anxiety, consequently reducing the risk of suffering from stress-related diseases.
- They reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
- They cause increased levels of dopamine and endorphin – neurotransmitters associated with well-being – by lowering the levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stressful situations.
Forget about problems, take care of a dog
Taking responsibility for taking care of a dog, therefore, can be the best way to forget about situations that cause discomfort.
Leaving all worries aside and clearing your head, sharing playtime and walking moments with your pet, will be a great way to feel better, without having to rely on the help of a professional.
But if a visit to the psychologist or psychiatrist is unavoidable, rest assured that interacting with your dog will also make you progress and help you recover from your problems soon.
Assistance and therapy dogs
As it is proven that animals contribute to improving people’s physical and mental health, their use for the treatment of various diseases is constantly increasing.
Whether they are therapy or assistance dogs, these animals are particularly well suited for this type of use.
The so-called assistance dogs are those who live with people suffering from various health problems, helping to improve the quality of their life, both from a physical and psychological point of view.
Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are those who carry out scheduled visits accompanied by a guide, and work following the instructions of a specialist.
Dogs for the psychiatric service
Among the various duties of dogs specifically trained to offer psychiatric service to those suffering from the most varied mental disorders, it is possible to find:
- Identification of impending seizures.
- Ability to reassure the masters.
- Support for overcoming stress and depression.
- Reminder for taking medication.
In the United States, for example, dogs are increasingly used to help war veterans overcome post-traumatic stress.
Adopting a puppy will make you happier and healthier
If you own a pet, you probably already know how good it is for you and your family to share life with them.
If you haven’t decided to adopt one yet, don’t doubt that their company will make you much healthier and happier.
You will find that true happiness is a dog licking your face.
