From showing love to following their animal instinct, there are all sorts of reasons why dogs lick you. While we love puppy kisses, especially after a long day, not everyone wants to be covered in doggy drool.
Let’s answer some of your burning questions: what does it mean when a dog licks you? Should you allow licking, and how can you stop your pup from licking you too much?
Why Dogs Lick People
While we can’t know the exact reason dogs lick people without our pups telling us, experts agree there are a number of reasons. Walking through the door and having your pup leap towards you for a kiss is a heartwarming scene, but can become bothersome if the kissing becomes too frequent. If you can determine the reason behind your dog’s licking, you can figure out what your pup is trying to tell you and decide if it’s something you want to adjust.
Sign of Affection
Many dogs lick people as a greeting and a sign of affection. It’s very normal for puppies to lick their mothers, and we often see adult dogs lick their pet parents. When dogs receive a positive response when licking, they may repeat the behavior in the future to get that same happy reaction.
There’s a high chance that your pup licks you to show love and affection. Some dogs might lick your face, while others may go for the hands or any patch of skin they can find. All dogs are different; some are big lickers, while others may not lick often. It may depend on what they learned as a puppy from their mothers.
Attention-Seeking Behavior
So, what else can a dog licking you mean? One theory is that dogs lick us to get our attention. When your dog licks you, you might laugh and give them a good cuddle. You might have a nice little chat with them and tell them how much you love them. This positive response can encourage more licking behavior in the future.
Wild Instincts
Licking is an instinctive behavior. Mothers lick their puppies to keep them clean, comfort them, and encourage certain behaviors. Pups will also use licking to tell their mothers they are hungry. As adults, dogs lick to communicate, groom, and show emotion.
If you’re wondering why your dog licks your face, you are not alone. This is a common behavior that puppies continue to use, especially if they get a good reaction. For instance, if a lick to the face gets a play session, attention, or affection, it encourages your pup to repeat the behavior for the same outcome.
Trying To Get Space
Imagine a situation where your dog is licking a person, but they also show behavior like head-turning, tucking their tail, and alternating between licking and turning away. In this scenario, this could be your pup’s way of communicating discomfort and looking to get some space.
Jennifer Shryock, a certified dog behavior consultant, calls this sort of behavior a “kiss to dismiss.” It’s a type of licking behavior that could signal stress and be something to be aware of, especially around young children or new people. If you spot these cues, gently call your dog away and create space between your dog and the stressor.
Stress Relief
Licking can be a way for dogs to cope with stress and anxiety. They might lick their paws and other body parts to self-soothe. Licking objects or surfaces can also be a calming behavior.
When your pup licks, it can release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. So, licking can make your dog feel calmer and more relaxed. If your pup licks to self-soothe, why not try a lick mat full of tasty wet dog food and dog-safe ingredients? Experiment with flavors like mashed bananas, peanut butter, or pureed carrots.
Intriguing Taste
Another reason why dogs lick humans is out of curiosity. They may like how your skin tastes. We have slightly salty skin, especially if we’re sweaty from a run or a workout. Dogs typically explore the world around them through sniffing and licking, and you’re a massive part of their world.
If you have dropped some food on your skin or are sweaty, dogs are curious creatures and might try to lick it off. Curiosity and the taste of salt can be part of why dogs lick, alongside primary reasons like showing affection, getting attention, and grooming.
Tips to Train Your Dog to Stop Licking You
Why does my dog lick me? Is it a sign of affection or something else?
Licking can be a way for your pup to communicate, show affection, and get attention. Some pups can lick all the time, while others aren’t inclined to lick at all. There are several reasons why dogs lick, but at what point is licking a problem?
You should speak to your vet if you notice a change in behavior or excessive licking. Frequent licking can come from anxiety or a health issue like an injury or allergy. Your vet needs to rule out any medical issues before making a plan to deal with the behavioral issue.
Once you’ve addressed any medical concerns, there are things you can do to train your dog to stop licking you. Expecting your dog to stop licking you entirely isn’t realistic as, after all, it’s a natural behavior. But, if you have a licker, you can start to reward good behavior and discourage them from licking you as much.
Don’t worry; it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. We’ll break everything down for you!
- Try to watch your dog and see when they lick. Are they bored, excited, or stressed? If you can start to identify which scenarios trigger excessive licking, you can begin to redirect their attention.
- Focus on positive reinforcement instead of punishment. When your dog licks you, try to shift their attention to something else, like a toy or trick training. Then, reward good behavior with lots of praise and attention.
- Another way to redirect attention is by using a puzzle toy where they can sniff out treats. Our Jinx treats are low-calorie and delicious, perfect for repeated rewarding during training.
- Make sure that you and all family members are consistent and stick to the plan to tone down licking. If your dog picks up on mixed messages, they can get confused, and it can get in the way of progress.
- Any type of dog training requires consistency and patience. Stay positive and know that progress can take time.
If you’re hitting a wall in training and are not seeing any progress in adjusting your pup’s behavior, it’s best to ask for help. Your veterinarian or a dog trainer can help pinpoint the issue and recommend a different approach to reduce licking.
FAQs
Why do dogs lick people? This is a question that we hear often. Licking is a natural behavior, but it can be puzzling for dog parents. Let’s dive deep into the world of licking and answer some common questions about licking.
Why do dogs lick your face and ears?
We know that dogs lick to show affection, get attention, and other reasons. But why do they often lick our faces and ears?
A good ear-licking may not be everyone’s favorite. Maybe you don’t mind if your dog sneaks an ear lick during an excited moment. The theory is that some dogs actually like the smell and taste of earwax.
The same applies to the face. Our faces can be full of sweat and food particles. The salty skin may taste nice for your pup. It positively reinforces the behavior if you laugh, giggle, and cuddle your dog when they lick your face and ears. So, your dog is more likely to lick your face and ears again and again because it makes you so happy.
Is It safe for dogs to lick my face?
Whether you want to let your dog lick your face is completely up to you. In general, a dog licking your face is a low-risk scenario. But there are times when certain circumstances could lead to a higher risk of illness. If you have an open wound, a compromised immune system, are taking certain medication, or have an allergy to animal saliva, then the risk of infection or reaction could be higher.
Bacteria that can travel through licking isn’t typically harmful, but not everyone may want that. Let’s say you’re happy to get some puppy kisses, but a friend doesn’t love it. If you have concerns about safety around your dog licking faces, it’s best to seek medical advice.
Here at Jinx, we are dog people. It’s safe to say our fluffy companions have captured our hearts. Although we love puppy kisses from our favorite pal, we don’t love bad breath! Jinx dental chews are a delicious and effective way to keep bad breath at bay and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
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