Source checked November 12, 2026. Editorial team. Not professionally reviewed.
Greeting plan
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No cause, emotional verdict or safety score is generated. Seek appropriate professional advice for health, fear, aggression or safety concerns.
Name the human preference plainly
A fictional household preference is no licking during greetings. That is a preference, not proof that the dog is being dominant, guilty or deliberately difficult. This website does not assign motives. The plan card helps describe the setting and the alternative you want to discuss with a qualified reward-based trainer.
Reward-based help starts with the dog
Dogs Trust describes training with rewards the dog values, including suitable food, toys or attention. What is useful depends on the individual dog and setting. This page does not select a reward, set a practice schedule or assess comfort. Health, fear, aggression or injury concerns need appropriate professional help.
The response can matter
Dogs Trust explains that looking, touching and talking can reward behavior even when a person does not intend that result. Keep your response in the discussion rather than treating licking as an isolated act. Do not use this general principle to withhold care, ignore pain or continue an interaction that feels unsafe.
No forced contact is required
A greeting plan should not depend on putting a person's face close to a dog or asking a child to test a reaction. Dogs Trust advises avoiding close face contact between children and dogs. Our card cannot certify an interaction or replace qualified support for safety questions. Use it for a routine question only.