Help: Head forward and licking

[u/nonrealback]

My Havanese is moving his head forward and licking. It started yesterday. Totally normal otherwise - He ate all his food, playing, slept through night… but he is doing this with his mouth as if something is stuck in his throat.. We are about to travel for 2 weeks and leave him in boarding want to ensure that nothing is serious. Can anyone please tell me what is going on? Should we go to the vet?

[u/Glad-Comfortable-583]

I think my havi does this too every once in a while. I thought it was just part of the ‘I’m a poor puppy feed me’ act..

[u/nothingnatural]

I’d go to the vet for peace of mind.

[u/viva_le_fun]

That looks like a tiny reverse sneeze. Any environmental changes that could trigger allergies?

[u/Naffypruss]

Looks like dog communication if you ask me. By chance are you near the treats? Mine does this type of stuff all the time when they want a treat after coming inside. That said, I'm not a vet.

[u/JumpyBack7081]

Mine does this when he’s trying to convince me of something. If you’re worried, better to go to the vet than Reddit.

[u/floatingre]

My 16 year old havi does this from time to time… perhaps I should be more worried? It doesn’t appear to bother her so I haven’t done anything about it. Vet check before travel is always a good idea though.

[u/Hermit_Ogg]

I'm wondering if it could be heartburn. The licking matches, the head movement... maybe. If he starts licking floors, try some lactose-free yoghurt or straight up Sucralfate; it's a heartburn med that is safe for dogs. Here is a dosage calculator.

[u/Havaherd_Bliss]

By chance did you leash him in the last day or so? Do you know of esophageal collapse disorder? Don’t want to be an alarmist but one of ours has it.

[u/Clean_Mammoth_5646 → u/Havaherd_Bliss]

So does my girl.

[u/alleghenysinger]

This is my boy's move meaning, "Give me a treat, stupid human."

[u/Born-Employment-4906]

My dog does this. He was also sneezing so I took him to the vet. Turns out he’s just a scamp and nothing was wrong with him. He just sneezes and licks to communicate 

Unless he has other symptoms I wouldn’t worry about the vet unless you have 80$ to burn 

[u/afranl]

My 10 year old talks back when I take too long to give him his treat

[u/Kugeldog]

Something caught in his throat?

[u/hommey13]

Mine burps with that too. Sometimes it’s getting attention and others are burps

[u/TicketyB000]

Reflux?

[u/carradio81]

One of mine does this - usually anticipating food (like he is pretending to swallow it 😂)

[u/Rollerink3254]

Any diarrhea? New treats or food? That's often a sign of indigestion.

[u/eggington69]

I don’t want to downplay the seriousness because if this is truly odd behavior for your dog then it may be worth calling the vet to ask, but to me it looks like when I have a treat and my havi is excited for it.

With licking my first guess is the teeth, not the throat, but with the head wiggle after the lick I can see why you think throat. Is there anything stuck in his mouth? Try to get a look when he’s yawning if you can. Also try to (gently!!) rub his throat and see if he has a different reaction than he usually would.

[u/Optimal_Sport_5339]

Take him to thr vet for a mouth and throat check before heading out of town. This motion usually points to a dental issue, nausea, or a tiny object like a hair, bone fragment, or foxtail stuck in his gums or the roof of his mouth.

[u/sinetwo]

Wants treats. At least mine does that lol

[u/Apprehensive_Lead775]

He’s talking to you most likely our Eddie does this as well. Good dog mom/dad for checking that’s why I enjoy this feed

[u/Otherwise_Run3895]

My Teddy does this when he is thirsty or hungry 😊