Smooching Pooches: Funny Puppy Images

A humorous photo essay on dogs smooching with their owners.

Love comes in many forms but watching a dog kissing their owner can be a real hoot! As a pet owner of two very sweet and maybe a bit spoiled dogs, I have the daily pleasure of having my face washed with slobber or as they (Max and Layla) prefer to refer to it---their doggie kisses. But did you know that even dogs have their own style of kissing? It seems that even etiquette can be important for kissing animals!

Check out the wonderfully funny pictures below but "Beware of Flying Slobber".

Photo by Cordey on flickr commons

Rule #1. It is impolite to approach another dog and just lick a kiss.

A dog must get a smell of the others mouth, or nose, or whatever to determine if this dog is willing and desirable of a big sloppy smooch!

Notice the direct eye contact, very important in gaining trust!

Photo courtesy of Jessie.yang on flickr commons.

Rule #2. If one dog decides to give a little tongue it is not required for the receiving dog to likewise acknowledge with the same. Even in the world of dogs a bad smell can put one off!

Photo courtesy of Craig Allyn on flickr commons.

Does your pet have gross doggie breath? How bad should your dog's breath be? There is a difference between normal dog breath and really putrid breath. Your dog's breath should not smell like he just ate a dead squirrel, this could indicate the possibility of problems that should be checked out by your veterinarian. Bad breath could indicate gum disease, diabetes, or kidney disease. Rule these things out first before giving your dog a breath freshener to take care of the problem.

For normal every day smelly dog breath I give my pups "Greenies". Many groomers and veterinarians highly suggest them. These are pet treats made with vegetables that help keep their teeth clean while freshening their mouth. And my dogs love them. I've tried other brands and usually end up tossing them out because my pups just don't like the taste. Another idea is to give your dog carrots; they can also help with bad breath. Just don't give them too many they can add a few pounds around the middle.

As for all those pet breath mints out there, they work well for about 5 minutes. But they don't get to the heart of the problem. The best thing you can do is to keep your dogs teeth clean. Have your pet's teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you can start when your dog is young, you can easily train them to tolerate having their teeth brushed by you. If they are older you can still train them although it may take more time. It's a great way to fight gum disease and tartar while helping give your pet a healthy doggie breath. Periodontal disease can lead to heart problems. The bacteria in the tartar can get into the bloodstream through infected gums which can lodge in the heart and cause a life-threatening disease. So keep your dog's teeth clean, making dog kissing a pleasurable experience!

Photo courtesy of Larry Tomlinson on Flickr Commons.

Tasty Greenies® treats will remove plaque and tartar and reduce bad breath all while supplementing nutritional intake. Specifically engineered to be the right size and texture for your dog's mouth, these delicious treats come in 5 different sizes. Easy on the gums and fun to eat, this healthy, beneficial snack is loved by dogs the world over. Features: • Carries the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance • 96% digestible • Reduces plaque, tartar, and bad breath • Chew size tailored to the size of your dog • Soft texture with rounded edges for oral comfort • Nutritionally complete • Rich in antioxidants • Recommended for dogs over 6 months and 5 lbs

For some reason humans just don't go for the "smell each other etiquette thing" so a dog has to be direct if he wants a little mush. This can be done on the sly when the human is not expecting it or it can be done in a mad rush with a straight upwards jump or a running leap. But a lot of times it can be accomplished with a direct deep longing look maybe followed by a small whine or/and a soft nose nudge and don't forget a wagging tail is a must.

Photo courtesy of AJU_photography on flickr commons.

If you are a big enough dog you can go for the stand on the hind legs direct hit approach making sure that you get the full kiss starting at the chin working up to the nose. You may only get one chance so go for it immediately upon seeing your target.

Photo courtesy of Mike Baird on Flickr Commons.

Smaller dogs have to figure out how to get their people to pick them up first. A cute outfit often times helps. Other ideas include holding up a little paw with a hurt look, or jumping around in circles on your hind legs looking like you are going to join the circus if the humans don't pay attention. The most important element in this approach is to look really, really cute! And remember no matter how adorable you are if you haven't kept up your regular bathing routine you are going to stink! And all that cuteness just won't work.

Photo courtesy of arcoirisito on Flickr commons.

I don't know many dogs that really like baths, they usually prefer to keep their wild animal smell and use it like a calling card. While humans recognize each other by sight or voice, dogs recognize other animals by their smell. Their bodies produce oils, pheromones, and other odors that make statements about who they are. Those statements vary from "this is my territory, get out of here" to "Oh baby, am I in love with you" to "I'm scared, please don't hurt me". But these scents can become quite overbearing for our human nose. With proper grooming, your dog's body odor won't be so offensive that you can smell them from a mile away.

Choosing a good dog shampoo is really a matter of personal taste. I prefer those with all natural ingredients that won't cause dry, itchy skin but have a scent that is light and a bit on the musky side. Shampoos with a heavy perfume smell are not long lasting and most dogs will try to rub it off on the furniture or carpet or something even worse outside. Your dog's body will start to produce oils to restore moisture to his skin right after his bath giving him back his natural dog scent. So spending extra money on overly scented shampoos is probably not worth the short amount of time the dogs will smell heavenly.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Pet Shampoo is the best and most gentle way to bath your fuzzy loved ones. It gives you all the benefits of being all natural, soap free with oatmeal and aloe that Vet's recommend for sensitive skins. Plus, it leaves your loved one fresh, clean and very, very SOFT! Which means very hug-able with the added benefit of "Pooch Smooches" for all!

Oatmeal and aloe are recommended by veterinarians to effectively combat skin irritation, promote healing, and re-moisturize dry skin. Combine these natural wonders with vanilla and almond oils and your pet will smell as good as she feels and looks.

A great time to get a refreshing kiss is right after the kids bath. You get a bit of dirty soapy water and you help the kid get rid of that horrid newly bathed smell with your awesome fresh tongue scent.

Photo courtesy of cathyse97 on Flickr Commons.

Little humans are easy targets, especially those that are tied into those little wheel y things. And oh, do they taste sooo good! It's okay to do a little mouth mining, you're just helping clean up.

Photo courtesy of Ktylerconk on Flickr Commons.

A bit of nose mining can prove quite interesting as well.

Photo courtesy of Ocean Yamaha on Flickr Commons.

If you look really, really cute and you have good breath and your coat is fresh smelling you can get the prettiest girl on the street to kiss you back! Whoa, is that ever great! And what a kiss this is!

Photo courtesy of Mike Halsall on Flickr Commons.

How do you feel about kissing animals?

All that smooching and looking so very cute can make a pup downright pooped. The one thing that would really perk you up is going home to a fresh batch of home-made healthy dog cookies baked just for you. That.....would make the day almost perfect!

Photo courtesy of MoyanBrenn on Flickr Commons.

A Healthy Wholesome Dog Treat Recipe to make for your favorite hairy friends (dog friends only please). This doggie delicious recipe comes from the famous Doggie Bistro.

Sweet dreams are surely ahead when you nab a good night kiss from your best friend. Things are definitely looking up for tomorrows smooches!

It was a perfect day!

Photo courtesy of AnnieCatBlue at flickr commons.

Photo courtesy of drfrannie on Flickr Commons.

Thanks so much for dropping by...I was doggone happy to see you!

Tell you family and friends to stop by for a grinning good time.

And for a big tail wagging thumbs up nominate me and my fuzzy friends for the Squidoo Lens of the Day just go to Smooching Pooches are Lotd worthy.

A big XX & OO to you!

Photo by Larry Tomlinson on Flickr Commons.