Home - Training & Behavior - Behavior - Dog Smacking Lips In The Middle Of The Night? Possible causes of dog-smacking lips in the middle of the night are dehydration, mouth disease, and stomach upset. From your dog's perspective, the clicker is what dog trainers call a secondary orconditioned reinforcer,meaning that the dog has learned to associate it with treats. Like us, specialists say that they could also do this in response to food. Ive got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years experience working in animal shelters and rescues. During this phase, dog licking and lip-smacking are often accompanied by twitching, murmuring, or barking. The best thing to do if this is happening to your dog is to try to keep the hair around the mouth a manageable length so it doesnt get stuck. Other possible reasons for dog smacking lips when lying down at night are: Bored Nervousness Stressed Seizures are likely inherited. So, pay close attention to your pooch. Like us, dogs suffer from allergic reactions. Dog Smacking Lips In Middle Of Night: 13 Reasons + Tips Below are the top 15 reasons for dog lip-smacking: When dogs smell food or anticipate getting treats, many dog owners notice their pooches lick their lips. Surprising fact: there are several other physical ailments that could trigger lip smacking in dogs. Or they may have smelled something yummy. They may be dreaming about eating their favorite treat or reliving the stress of meeting an aggressive dog in the park. How to Get Rid of Ticks on Dogs Fast, Naturally and the Best Way, How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating? Your dog might have also ingested something toxic. After eating, lip-licking and lip-smacking behavior can often be seen in many dogs because they may still have some food left in their mouths. The common culprits are sudden loud noises. Baby Smacking Lips And Other Infant Cues What Do They Mean. Aside from lip-smacking, you might notice other signs of poisoning like excessive drooling, nausea, and in some cases, burns in the dogs mouth. Didi Kader, "Why Do Dogs Lick Their Lips?," Rover. For more serious cases, give them vet-prescribed medications to reduce anxiety. Experts say that seizures are common in dogs. 17 Alarming Reasons Why Dogs Smack Their Lips At Night Similar to food and treats anticipation, this behavior is not a cause of alarm when done after eating. This is common among large breed dogs with hip dysplasia, as the pain causes them to lick the affected leg constantly. In this scenario, it is best to try to ignore the dog and not respond to its lip smacking at alleventually, it will stop associating that action with the desired result. Or the enlargement of salivary glands. Therefore, if you see such symptoms, immediately take your dog to your veterinarian. Although dogs tend to develop behavioral patterns because they provide a desired result, your dog is not trying to bug you. Doberman Ear Cropping: Everything You Need to Know. My Dog Wont Leave My Side! Dogs have a tendency to give and take love, and they avoid creating unnecessary havoc: that too in the middle of the night. We look at the various causes for the behavior. Avoid hugging or petting them. Surprising fact: dogs can get acid reflux too! If your dog is licking their lips at night, it may also be a good idea to make sure they havent gotten into some food or found some tasty crumbs on the floor. If it happens only in presence in the owner, it's likely attention-seeking behavior.