How to: Valentine Pup Kisses

Tori Mistick |

We know that your dog looks cute in just about every picture, but teaching them some cute, photogenic tricks can take your photos to the next level and impress all your friends! In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, we thought it would be fun to teach your dog how to kiss you on the cheek.

 

“Puppy kisses are the best, and we hope you

get showered with them on Valentine’s Day!”

 

This is a fairly easy trick to learn, and there are a few hacks you can use to make it even easier to get that perfect photo! This trick might be a little easier for food motivated dogs, but with enough dedication any dog should be able to figure it out. Follow the steps below, and if you dare, try the advanced steps at the end!

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A chocolate Labrador pup sits in front of a pink door, next to a bouquet of light pink and white flowers, ready with Valentine kisses.

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Train Your Dog to Kiss You On The Cheek

STEP 1:
First of all, see if your dog is inclined to give you kisses without even asking. Lean down and see if they give you a lick. If so, you can start to reinforce the action by saying the same word every time they do it. I like to choose something cute like “kisses” or “smooch”.

STEP 2:
If your dog isn’t automatically givin’ you some sugar, you can try pointing to your cheek and when they touch it with their nose or tongue reinforce it with your command (“kisses” or “smooch”).  Repeat this step for five minutes a day for a few days and your pup will get the hang of it!

STEP 3:
If all else fails, grab the peanut butter! Place a little dab on your cheek and when your dog starts licking, reinforce the action with your command and give them lots of praise. This approach is best for taking photos rather than in front of a crowd. In the photo nobody will be able to tell you used peanut butter!

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A person with short dark hair and a pink shirt sits in front of a pink door, smiling and pointing at their face, while a brown pup with a red collar looks at them. It's the perfect Valentine's moment.

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A woman with short dark hair, wearing a pink shirt, sits on the floor next to a chocolate Labrador in front of a pink door decorated with a Valentine heart garland.  A woman sitting in front of a pink door smiles as her pup licks her face. She is wearing a pink shirt with a banana graphic and the text "bananas for you." It's clear these puppy kisses make her feel like every day is Valentine's Day.  A woman sitting in front of a pink door, smiling as a brown dog gives her Valentine pup kisses. She is wearing a pink shirt with a banana graphic and text saying "BANANAS FOR YOU!

 

Advanced Steps

Once you master this trick and capture some adorable photos, you can take it to the next level. Try teaching your dog to do a double kiss like the Parisians do. Turn your head side to side as you say “kisses” and encourage your dog to kiss both sides.

For medium and large dogs, you can also teach them how to give hugs and kisses. Once you have kisses figured out, move on to the hug part. Start by kneeling or sitting on a chair and encouraging your dog to place their front paws on your knees. Perfect that, then encourage them to place their front paws on your shoulders, basically giving you a hug! String it all together and you’ll get the best hugs and kisses ever!

Certified professional dog trainer, Brett Reynolds of The Dog Stop, recommends that you only reward kisses when your dog is cued to do the trick. Some people don’t want to be kissed by dogs, so it’s wise to only have them do it on command.

 

A smiling woman kneels next to a chocolate labrador pup that is licking her face. They are outside near steps, sharing sweet kisses perfect for a Valentine snapshot.  Person crouches next to a dog, sharing a Valentine Pup Kiss in front of a colorful mural with blue, white, pink, and teal wavy lines on a brick wall.  A person wearing a "Steel City Dog Mom" shirt puckers their lips as a brown pup showers them with kisses in front of a pink wall.

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A person with short dark hair and a pink shirt hugs a large brown dog by a bright pink door. Nearby is a wooden box with a white vase containing pink and white flowers, perfect for Valentine’s Day, and heart-shaped bunting hangs above.

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“We want to see your kiss photos! Use #ZippyPawsValentine on

Instagram to share your furry friends’ Valentine smooches with us!”

 

About the author: Tori Mistick is the stylish dog mom behind the award-winning blog Wear Wag Repeat. She loves to document dog friendly adventures with her Chocolate Labrador, Lucy!

Find Tori and Lucy on Instagram: @tmistick

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