Tongue-wagging in Dogs: What Tongue-Licking Means as a Sign of Stress
Tongue-wagging in Dogs: What Tongue-Licking Means as a Sign of Stress
What is tongue-wagging in dogs?
Tongue-flashing refers to the quick, brief sticking out of the tongue—often toward the nose or muzzle—as a communicative signal. It is one of the classic calming signals in dogs and indicates discomfort, stress, or a desire to reduce social tension.
Important: Not every instance of tongue-licking is a sign of stress. A dog that licks its lips after Eat or before a meal is expressing anticipation and appetite. Context is key: When does the dog lick its lips, and what is happening in the social situation around it at that moment?
Background + Scientific Context
Rugaas (2006, *On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals*) describes tongue-flashing as one of the most commonly used calming signals in dogs: In situations of social tension—when a dog is being stared at, when a stranger approaches, or when a person touches an animal—the dog uses rapid tongue-flashing to signal: "I am not a threat; I do not want a conflict." The signal is directed at the other party and is intended to de-escalate the situation.
Mariti et al. (2012, Journal of Veterinary Behavior) investigated how well owners recognize their dogs’ stress signals: licking the lips and flicking the tongue were among the most frequently recognized signals—but only when they were clear within their context. When isolated—that is, without other signals present at the same time—owners often interpreted them as appetite or habit, not as indicators of stress. Combining them with other signals (yawning, avoiding eye contact, stiffness) improves accurate assessment.
Overall (2013, *Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats*) describes tongue-flashing in a clinical context: In veterinary practice, tongue-flashing is one of the most common indicators of stress during an examination—especially when it occurs in combination with avoiding eye contact, licking the nose, and body tension. Pathological, persistent, repeated lip twitching and tongue-flashing may indicate nausea, gastrointestinal problems, or neurological disorders—important medical differential diagnoses.
Vitomalia-Position
If you notice your dog starting to pant during training, you’re getting immediate feedback: the dog is stressed or unsure. This isn’t the time to apply more pressure, repeat the command, or raise your voice in frustration—it’s the moment to take a break, use gradual training, and increase the reward rate. Understanding panting means improving your training.
When does "Züngeln" come into play?
- The dog is being stared at, harassed, and kept on a tight leash
- Training that is too difficult or involves too much pressure
- Encounters with unfamiliar dogs or people
- Personal hygiene, veterinary practice, forced physical contact
- A signal is given, but the dog does not respond—often accompanied by panting
- Diagnostic: frequent, persistent, and repeated licking → medical evaluation
Practical application
Recognizing "Züngeln" in context:
| Context | "Züngeln" means | Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Social tension, fixation | Appeasement | De-escalate the situation, keep your distance |
| Training, wrong signal | Anxiety, stress | Reduce difficulty, Pause |
| Before eating | Anticipation, Appetite | Normal, no stress signal |
| Ongoing, general | Possible nausea, pain | Veterinary examination |
| Combined with stiffness | Increased stress arousal | Analyze the surroundings |
What typically triggers a tongue twister: - Direct, prolonged eye contact with people - Physical contact with a stranger or another dog - Loud, sudden noises in a stressful environment - Training exercises that were introduced too quickly (causing too much frustration) - Previous warning signs were ignored → Flashing lights as a further attempt
Distinguishing between smacking one's lips and licking one's lips: - Flashing the tongue: briefly and quickly flick the tip of the tongue over the nose, once or twice - Smacking: repeated, audible lip movements — often a sign of nausea - Prolonged lip-twitching + drooling + swallowing → see a vet immediately (nausea, stomach problem)
Common Mistakes & Myths
- “My dog likes to lick his nose—he always does that.” Habitual repetition is often a sign of chronic stress or an underlying medical condition. Any behavior that becomes established has a context—and that context should be investigated.
- “Tongue-wagging means the dog is thinking.” This popular interpretation confuses cognitive processing pauses (which do exist) with communicative tongue-wagging. Cognitive tongue-wagging is possible—but more often than not, it is a social signal in a specific interactive situation.
- “When I look at the dog and it licks its lips, it doesn’t like me.” Licking one’s lips while staring is a sign of appeasement, not dislike. The dog is signaling, “I don’t want a conflict”—a cooperative, not hostile, signal.
Current State of Research (2026)
Tongue-showing as a component of canine calming signals is well documented in behavioral research. DogFACS (Dog Facial Action Coding System) systematically codes tongue-showing (AU117). Current research examines how various calming signals, when combined, indicate specific stress states and how training should respond to these signals. Clinically: Tongue-wagging is validated as a stress indicator in stress assessment protocols (e.g., in animal welfare monitoring).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my dog’s tail wagging is a sign of stress?
Context: If this occurs in a situation involving social tension, fixation, approach, or pressure—then it is a calming signal. If other signs of stress appear at the same time (yawning, avoiding eye contact, body tension): take steps to reduce stress.
What should I do if my dog licks during training?
Reduce the difficulty immediately: increase the distance, simplify the task, take a break, or increase the reward frequency. Fluttering is immediate feedback—not a training opportunity to apply more pressure.
Can a runny nose also be a sign of illness?
Yes — persistent, frequent tongue-wagging and lip-twitching outside of social situations may indicate nausea, stomach problems, oral pain, or neurological disorders. If this behavior is new or severe, consult a veterinarian.
Related terms
- Body Language in Dogs
- Calming Signals beim Hund
- Signs of stress in dogs
- Yawning in Dogs
- Whale Eye in Dogs
Sources & Further Reading
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Rugaas, T. (2006). On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals. Dogwise Publishing. ISBN 9781929242368.
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Mariti, C., Gazzano, A., Moore, J. L., Baragli, P., Chelli, L., & Sighieri, C. (2012). Perception of dogs' stress by their owners. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 7(5), 257–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.09.004
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Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier. ISBN 9780323008266.