Reasons why your dog licks you
Dogs licking is a form of communication
MEANING OF DOG LICKING
Approximate reading time: 7 minutes
Dogs are animals that communicate in a variety of ways. In addition to using their sense of smell and pheromones to gather and offer information, they also express many of their emotions through their body and behaviour. Although every dog has their own personality and some are more of a licker than others, you're sure to have received an enthusiastic lick from your best friend on your face, hands or even feet. But what exactly do dogs want to tell us when they lick us?
When puppies are born, one of the first external stimuli they receive are licks from their mother, who is trying to clean, stimulate and offer affection and protection to her litter. Therefore, canine licking is a completely instinctive form of communication which, from their first days of life, serves to bond them with their mother and siblings. When they grow up, this behaviour of stroking us with their tongue persists, although depending on the context and intensity, the reasons why your dog licks you may be different.
Table of contents
• Because they want to groom you
• Because they want to get your attention
• To express their love for you
• Because of an anxiety problem
2. How do I stop my dog from licking me?
Why do dogs lick?
Dog licking is an innate behaviour that dogs use to communicate with each other. When a dog licks another dog on the muzzle or face, they are sending a message of calm and respect. It is a way of greeting and conveying a message of safety and non-aggression. Through this licking, you can also find out if your fellow dog has eaten recently, which could mean that there is food nearby, as well as a lot of information about their current health and condition.
Actually, when your dog licks you they are almost always communicating a positive emotion, although excessive and anxious licking may reveal behavioural disorders. This is not the most common, and is always accompanied by other symptoms of anxiety. Most of the time, your dog sucks because they want to bond with you and want you to pay attention to what they want to tell you. Here are some reasons why your dog licks you.
• To obtain information
We are often surprised to see our dog walking down the street and stopping to lick anyone who comes across them. This behaviour, although it may cause us some embarrassment, is totally normal, especially if we are talking about very sociable and extroverted dogs. People tend to compare dog licks to human kisses, so it may surprise us that our pet takes so much confidence from strangers. However, when your dog licks a person's skin they can detect, through their taste, its chemical composition, which in turn will indicate their state of health, mood, if they have a dog at home, if they have eaten recently... It is incredible the amount of information a dog can obtain by licking the pheromones of our skin, but that's how it is! That's why your dog licks you at different times of the day and can also do it with strangers.
• Because they want to groom you
As we have seen before, female dogs who become mums often lick their little ones to keep them clean and safe. This behaviour is passed on to the puppies, who when they grow up also use their tongues to clean themselves. One of the reasons your dog sucks on your body, hands or feet may simply be because he thinks you are dirty and need a ‘bath’. If your dog licks you while he is grooming himself or right after grooming, he is clearly trying to clean you too.
• Because they want your attention
Receiving an unexpected lick from our furry friend is, without a doubt, a fact that does not leave us indifferent. For some people it can be endearing and amusing, while for others it can be a bit unpleasant, no matter how much they love their furry friends. What is clear is that when your dog licks you they get a reaction from you, and a couple of times of getting your attention will be enough for them to learn that, if they want you to listen to them a good alternative is to give you a good lick. If your dog suddenly gives you an intense lick, they could be asking for a walk, food, cuddles or play. In these cases, observing your pet's attitude will help you figure out what they need from you at that moment.
• To heal you
It sounds like science fiction, but it's not. Dogs can detect illnesses that we don't even know we have. Through their powerful sense of smell, these animals identify particles of all kinds, including pheromones, which give them all kinds of information about our health. If your dog finds out you're sick, they might lick you to try to heal you, because from puppyhood they have associated their mother's licks with safety and comfort. So your pet might lick you to comfort you if they think you're sick, whether you know it or not. In fact, if you have an open wound, your furry friend will most likely try to lick it. Although they will do so with the best of intentions, as their saliva is used to heal their own injuries, it is not a good idea to allow them to lick you in such cases, as the wound could become infected. On the other hand, if your dog persistently licks a particular part of your body, we recommend you get it checked out, as you may be suffering from a health problem that your dog has detected before you even have symptoms.
• They like the taste of you
Yes, your dog may suck on you because he finds you delicious. The taste of our skin is usually salty, due to sweat, a taste that dogs love. If your pet licks your feet and hands it is most likely because he likes the way you taste, as these areas concentrate a lot of pheromones due to increased perspiration. Also, if he licks you in your mouth, it may be because you have recently eaten something and the delicious smell reaches your dog's powerful truffle. Having your dog lick you directly in the mouth can be dangerous because of the exchange of bacteria. As for the rest of your body, it's up to you whether you let your furry friend have a good licking feast or not. However, if you prefer your dog not to lick your feet and hands because it tickles or because you don't like it, never punish or scold him. Remember that it is natural for him. Simply cut off his access to these parts of your body and distract him with a toy.
• To express their love for you
Licking is, above all, a way for dogs to bond with each other, show respect and convey messages of calm. And they do the same with people. Most of the time your dog will lick your hands, face, arms or feet out of affection, just as their mums did with them. When your furry friend licks you, they are telling you that they love you, that they feel safe with you and that they enjoy being with you. It's a sign of trust and affection. But don't worry if your dog doesn't lick you much, because it doesn't mean they don't love you. There are many ways in which these animals express affection, and just as there are some dogs that are great lickers there are others that don't have such a strong licking instinct. Every dog is different!
• Because of an anxiety problem
Although it's not the most common, your dog could be licking you because of stress, anxiety or OCD. In this case, you will notice constant and anxious licking, as well as other symptoms such as behavioural changes, barking and other compulsive habits. In these cases, you will need to do a complete review of your dog's lifestyle, making sure they are eating a proper diet, getting enough exercise, socialising with other dogs and, in short, enjoying a good quality of life. We recommend consulting an ethologist to help you with these changes.
How can I stop my dog from licking me?
Licking is completely natural for your dog, so you should avoid scolding or punishing them when they do it. Since it is an innate habit, they will never understand that it is wrong. But if you are uncomfortable with your dog licking you, what you can do is educate them to understand that you prefer other forms of communication. How? Very easy: when your dog licks you, move that part of your body out of their reach and say ‘no’ in a confident but calm manner. Then give them a reward to positively reinforce the fact that they have stopped licking you, even if you are the one who has withdrawn. This way they will understand that, when the licking stops, they are receiving a pleasant stimulus (if you don't want to overdo it with treats, you can also use small pieces of a food they like a lot, a toy, or cuddles). Then you can distract their attention with a game so that they forget to lick you again. It is also useful to use this method to prevent them from licking other people. It may take some persistence, especially if your dog is an adult (if you are working with a puppy, the process will be quicker), but with patience, you will see them stop licking you and communicate with you in other ways instead. Above all, avoid reinforcing the behaviour by reacting effusively, whether with joy, anger or disgust. Don't worry, if you do it as we have explained, your dog will not understand it as a rejection or something negative, but will learn to ‘talk to you’ and express affection in other ways.