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Why do dogs lick you?
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Some dogs just love to lick, whether it’s themselves, each other or their favourite humans! Learn more about why dogs lick you, and what to do if the habit is getting a little out of hand.
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Dogs lick for many reasons - from a mother dog licking puppies to social interaction, exploration and affection. We can't always read our dogs' minds, but it's possible to make an educated guess about why some dogs lick their owners, based on their behaviour.
Why do dogs lick things?
Some dogs love to lick all sorts of things - themselves, a family member or even a piece of furniture. Licking helps dogs explore their surroundings and is particularly common in puppies. While it's not usually a concern, it can be a sign of anxiety, especially in older dogs.
Sometimes dogs will lick themselves to clean their coats, ease itchy skin or relieve pain. Common areas for dogs to lick themselves are the paws and legs, which can be down to allergies. Dogs may want to lick wounds to soothe themselves, but this can lead to infection.
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Licking is also a form of social interaction, which is likely to be a factor if your dog licks you or other family members.
What does it mean when a dog licks you?
Why do dogs lick your face, hands or anywhere else? Here's some of the most common reasons.
Affection
Licking can be a nurturing behaviour - like when a mother dog licks her puppies to comfort and clean them. Adult dogs may lick us to recreate this feeling of bonding. Research also shows that dogs are more likely to lick us when we're crying, possibly as a way to try and comfort us.
When dogs lick us out of affection, this action releases endorphins - the 'feel good' hormone, which encourages them to keep on licking!
Communication
Dogs have their own natural body language, but we may not always understand them. As long as your dog's licking isn't accompanied by biting, they're likely trying to communicate something positive - for example, respect or a desire for attention. Wild dog puppies lick their mother's faces to tell her they're hungry ' so your dog might be trying to communicate that they're ready for their dinner!
Facial licking can also be a subordinate gesture used to show deference to senior members of a dog pack. If your dog licks your face ' or other dog's faces ' a lot, it might be a throwback to this appeasement behaviour.
Reward
Do you pat your dog every time they lick you? Maybe you even get them a treat or a toy as a distraction? If so, you could be reinforcing their licking behaviour, as your dog believes they'll receive a reward every time they lick you. If you're trying to understand the reason behind your dog's behaviour, consider whether your own behaviour may be inadvertently encouraging them.
Exploration
Dogs get a lot of information when they lick something. These tastes and scents help them learn about a new environment. Dogs may lick new people as a way to understand more about them, in the same way that humans touch things out of curiosity.
Taste
Whether sweaty from exercise or with the scent of food on your fingertips ' sometimes our skin just tastes great to dogs!
How to get your dog to stop licking you
A couple of friendly licks can be endearing, but if you'd prefer your dog to lick you less often, it's time for some training.
Remove anypositive reinforcement your dog gets when they lick you. Rather than give them an absent-minded head scratch or treat, try to ignore the behaviour and walk away. Once your dog stops licking, turn back and greet them normally.
Redirecting your dog's attention can also be a good distraction. When your dog licks you, try asking them to do their favourite trick, play a quick game of fetch, or give them a puzzle toy or lick mat.
Does your dog love to lick you? If you've figured out their reasons, let us know on Facebook page.
Dr Brian Faulkner, MRCVS
Nick Jones MA
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