Mary Allen
Introduction: Mother dogs and their puppies
Mother dogs are known for their strong maternal instinct towards their puppies. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, and protecting their young ones until they are able to fend for themselves. One common behavior that mother dogs exhibit towards their puppies is licking. Licking is a significant form of communication between mother dogs and their puppies, serving various purposes.
Establishing a bond: The importance of licking
Licking is a crucial aspect of a mother dog’s relationship with her puppies. From the moment they are born, mother dogs begin to lick their puppies as a means of establishing a bond. Licking releases oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of love and trust. This hormone helps to foster a strong emotional connection between the mother dog and her puppies, which is essential for their overall well-being.
Stimulating bodily functions: Licking for elimination
Mother dogs also use licking to stimulate the bodily functions of their newborn puppies. Puppies are born unable to eliminate on their own, and so mother dogs lick their genital area to encourage them to urinate and defecate. This behavior is critical for the survival of the puppies, as it helps prevent the buildup of waste that can be harmful to their health. Mother dogs continue to lick their puppies’ genital area after they have eliminated to keep them clean and prevent infection.