We humans show affection in different ways, and so do dogs. Your dog licking yours is like showing their affection and giving you kisses. However, showing affection is the main reason your dogs may lick you, but there are several other reasons your dog will lick your face and hands. Some other reasons why your dog might lick are attention seeking, following their wild instincts, or just figuring out how you taste.
Worry less; this behaviour is common in dogs and relatively harmless. Most dog parents accept it as a sign of canine love, but in rare cases, the licking can indicate your dog is suffering mentally, which is one of the reasons why some people don’t like their dogs licking them, thinking their dogs can infect them by licking. If you are a pet owner who likes their dog giving them some kisses, then you can stay to learn more about it, while if you are a dog owner who doesn’t let their dog lick them, then you should read this and learn more about why dogs lick—and what you can do if you want it to stop.
Note: Dog licking is common in canines, but not all dogs will lick you. Remember, just because they don’t lick you doesn’t mean they love you any less.
Why Dogs Lick People
We don’t know why canines lick, but the study suggests that there’s probably a combination of reasons why canines exhibit this behaviour. 99% of the time, licking is not considered harmful or a serious dog behaviour problem unless it bothers you. But if you are someone that this behaviour bothers, maybe knowing the reason for your dog’s licking might change the way you feel about this.
Affection
Most of the time, your dog licks you to show their affection towards you. Many people associate them with kisses. Licking is a natural action for dogs. They learn this behaviour as puppies from the grooming and affection their mothers give them. It’s not a must that dogs will lick your face; they might go for any part of your skin, like your hands, legs, feet, and even ears, if they can’t get to your face.
Personalities vary in dogs, so some dogs tend to lick less than others. But because a dog licks less, it does not necessarily mean it is less affectionate. They might not just prefer licking you.
Seeking Attention
Dogs can exhibit several behaviours to get your attention, and licking you is one of these behaviours. Although it often starts as a form of affection at first, it’s reinforced by their owners laughing, smiling, or petting them, so they might later see it as an avenue to get their owners’ attention if they want to.
When dogs seek attention, they will feel rewarded by any reaction given to them by their owners, even the negative type. Pushing them away, shouting at them, or even administering punishment can still mean you’re not ignoring the licking and can encourage it even further.
Instinct
Following their wild instincts can also be a reason my dogs may also lick you. When wolves and sometimes dogs in the wild return to their pups after hunting, the pups will lick around the adults’ mouths; the wolves regurgitate meat from the hunt for their pups to chow down. Some people think that this behavior comes from wolves’ DNA and is instinctive for dogs. However, not all dogs show this behavior.
Taste
Another reason dogs lick you is that they want to see how you taste. Once that dog gets to licking you, they might realise you have an intriguing salty flavour. Dogs are naturally drawn to anything with an intriguing flavor. Furthermore, licking allows your dog to investigate and understand their surroundings, and you are an integral part of their world.
When Licking Can Be a Problem
As said earlier, licking in the rear can indicate a medical problem in your dog. Let’s talk about the signs so you can help your pup feel better.
Although this is rare, dogs can lick because they are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, often brought on by prolonged stress and anxiety.
If licking constantly occurs to the extent of licking objects, surfaces, and themselves, in addition to humans, it may be a real problem.
Consult your veterinarian if you feel your dog’s licking is becoming unusual and alarming. Your veterinarian or a canine behaviourist may also prescribe medications to relieve anxiety. Medication may be used in conjunction with training to reduce licking, as dogs find it hard to learn in a high state of anxiety.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Lick You?
Aside from your dog’s licking, indicating medical problems, which is rare. Then, yes, it is safe for your dog to lick you as it’s relatively harmless to let your dog lick you. However, don’t believe what people say about dogs’ mouths being cleaner than humans’ mouths. Dogs’ mouths contain a lot of natural bacteria, which is one of the reasons that dog bites are so dangerous. You don’t need to care about these bacteria because they probably won’t cause harm unless they come in contact with an open wound.
How To Stop Problem Licking
For those who find dog licking unpleasant, denying attention when they do it is the most effective way to get your dog to stop licking you and others. You can follow these steps to reduce licking or maybe stop it;
- Stop petting your dog or give a reaction when the dog licks you.
- Turn your head away.
- If necessary, stand up and take a walk.
- You can reward your dog with positive reinforcement as soon as the licking stops.
In time, your dog will usually become accustomed to getting treats when they don’t leave you, which will eventually reduce the licking and maybe stop it.
Also read: 10 Common Dog Behavior Problems and Solutions
FAQs
Does licking mean my dog loves me?
We’ll never know because dog licking is exhibited for various reasons, but licking and other exciting behaviour can tell your dog loves you.
Should I let my dog lick me?
It’s up to you if you want your dog to lick you. Just know that your dog’s mouths contain hundreds of natural bacterial species. Dog licks probably harm you or make you sick, except if you let them lick any open wounds.
How do I keep my dog from licking other people?
Some other people might not like dogs licking them or even having dogs around. You can distract your dog to keep it from licking others. If it’s a big enough problem, you can separate your dog from your guests in another room or outside.
Leave a Reply