Why do dogs lick you so much? It turns out that there are several reasons, some of which are not as obvious as you’d think. The video below tells us about of few of the basic reasons, but read on below to discover more…
If you own a dog and your dog licks you a lot then, you’ll know that feeling of what it’s like to be slobbered on the face, hands and around the mouth, whether you’re stroking them, feeding them or being greeted as you step through the door. But why do dogs lick you?
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour of dogs. For them, it’s a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they’re stressed, to show empathy or simply because you taste good to them!
Equally, excessive licking can be a sign that your dog is anxious, uncomfortable or perhaps in pain. As with most things, If you’re concerned about your dog always speak to a vet or behaviourist for advice.
Being licked by your dog can be a sign of affection, but it can have a number of other meanings too. So why do dogs lick you and what can you do if it ever becomes a problem?
When a dog licks your face, it’s not necessarily because he’s sad or you did something wrong. Some dogs enjoy being close to their owners and being touched by them, and they express that closeness affectionately.
Instinct
Licking is an important part of being a dog. It’s how they groom, show emotion and communicates. Mothers will often lick their puppies to keep them clean, give them comfort and encourage them to go to the toilet. Puppies will groom themselves and their family and, and aside from being a good way to clean, it’s also a sign of love, or affection and a great way to bond.
When you say hello to a dog what’s the first thing you do? The chances are that you stroke them.
Our need to use our hands and touch their fur comes naturally to us and is a form of grooming. Dogs groom with their tongues, so licking is their way of greeting, bonding and showing affection.
We explore the world with our hands, while dogs use their mouths and tongues to help them understand their environment and to assess the mood of others. Whether that’s licking your face to greet you and assess your mood, carrying things between their teeth, or playing with toys or balls.
After all, dogs have an incredible sense of smell and touch and can interpret scents and emotions. Licking is one way that a dog shows that they’re feeling affectionate and loving towards its owners. If your dog is licking your face, it’s probably a sign he has a strong bond with you. And who wouldn’t love that?
Showing Affection
Us humans often interpret licking as a sign of affection giving kisses etc. Dogs often show affection by licking. It’s an instinctive behaviour that’s linked to the comfort they felt when their mother licked them as a pup.
Licking plays an important part in how they bond with others, causing them to release dopamine and endorphins that help make them feel relaxed, calm and happy. Just as it feels nice for us to stroke a dog, it probably feels nice for dogs to lick the ones they love.
Empathy
For dogs, licking is a comforting behaviour. If your dog is concerned about you, it may try and lick you to make you feel better and care for you
People love their dogs, but there are times when having a dog feels more like having a baby. It’s not just the constant attention they require or the fact that they’re always underfoot—it’s also the way they don’t seem to understand personal space or any of the social cues we try to teach them. It can be incredibly frustrating when they lick your face—it makes you feel like you have zero control over the situation and can’t get them to stop.
It isn’t surprising that your dog licks you: they’re puppies for much longer than humans, which means they’re still learning things like self-control and good table manners. What is surprising, though, is how much of a function lick serves for dogs.
Attention
Licking is also a great way of getting your attention. If your dog licks you, you probably stroke them, talk to them kindly, pet them or make a fuss over them. This, in turn, encourages them to lick you and makes them more likely to do it next time.
Taste
Have you ever noticed that your dog licks you more after exercise? Particularly on bare areas that have been really sweaty? When we sweat we release salt and acidic chemicals that may taste delicious to our dogs.
Your dog may also lick your face and hands, smelling minuscule remnants of something you’ve eaten or nice-smelling moisturising creams or lotions. One note of caution on this, certain medications and lotions can be very poisonous to dogs, so be wary of this and never let your dog lick you after you’ve used these.
When is licking a sign of a problem?
For dogs, licking can be a soothing behaviour that helps them feel calm, relaxed and more at ease. If they’re feeling worried or stressed, particularly if they have separation anxiety, then licking you, or themselves might help them feel less anxious, so that’s something to look out for. If you can try to spot the cause of their anxiety, there may be something you can do to help.
As we’ve learnt, licking is a way for dogs to express themselves and is a natural part of being a dog. Some dogs may lick lots, while others may do it less.
If your dog suddenly starts licking you a lot, it could be a sign that something is not quite right.
Dogs may lick more frequently if they have increased anxiety or a health issue, such as an allergy, injury or arthritis. If you’re at all concerned about their licking behaviour, be sure to contact your vet for advice.