Ethnographic accounts, classic and contemporary, are both descriptive and interpretive; descriptive, because detail is so crucial, and interpretive because the ethnographer must determine the significance of what he or she observes without gathering broad, statistical information.
Mouthing is when a dog puts his teeth and mouth over a personâs skin while using little or no pressure from his jaw. Itâs not to be mistaken for aggressive biting, which is done out of fear or frustration.
1 Licking may be a way of playing. 2  Many dogs whoâs owners report as engaging in excessive licking behavior may be substituting their tongue for their teeth in the reserved dogâs version of a raucous play-fight. 3  In many cases, licking is a learned behavior. Dogs often lick you to get your attention or as a simple greeting. 2  As in, âHey, Iâm here. 3  Iâm cute. 4  Pet me.â. 5  Licking may be a way of playing. 6  Many dogs whoâs owners report as engaging in excessive licking behavior may be substituting their tongue for their teeth in the reserved dogâs version of a raucous play-fight.