Dogs lap, or take up, the water with their tongues curled backward. As they lap, they move their tongues very quickly to build up momentum. That forces the water into a column and up into their mouths.

Do dogs absorb water through their tongue?

The dog's tongue hits the water and retracts at a high speed, drawing up a column of water. The results confirm your dog is a drinking machine. To drink the most water per lap, dogs accelerate their tongues as fast as possible, while timing their bite just as the water column flicks away from the surface.

Do dogs know when to drink water?

If so, you might be surprised to learn that while some dogs instinctively know to drink just the right amount of water for their needs, some dogs don't drink enough water, and others drink too much. So it's possible your own canine companion is either under- or over-hydrated.