Dogs instinctively have a licking nature. They are born with this natural behaviour. There can be many reasons, why dogs love to lick someone. People often think that a dog, ‘s licking is out of its affection, but a variety of reasons can contribute to the reason, why a dog licks people. Some of them are listed below.
- Affection
- Taste
- Communication
- To get attention
- For a reward
- To show submission
- Medical reasons
- Grooming and enjoyment
- To investigate something
Dogs lick as a sign of affection
So dogs instinctively love to lick people. Many owners think it is their affection and love, but that’s not the only reason dogs start licking. The amount of licking is different for every dog, some dogs love to lick their owners but others might not become as much communal with their tongue. Just remember that excessive licking on the same site can be a reason to consult your vet.
The first thing that a mother does is to lick her puppies to clear the nostrils and mouth, so that a puppy can breathe, and to increase the blood circulation in the puppy’s body. This particular licking is due to affection. Both puppies and adult dogs naturally start licking people and other dogs to show their affection.
Taste
Dogs can use their nose and mouth to get a lot of information, therefore sometimes they smell or even lick the urine or faeces of another dog to understand more about their smell. So it is also possible for your dog to lick someone just for taste. Our skin can be salty or may have the residues of the food, we have just eaten and dogs love to taste it too. So maybe your dog licking is just to explore a new taste and texture.
Communication
Wild wolves lick their mother’s face whenever they want to feed. You may notice face licking as a form of communication in dogs when they meet each other. Dogs may also lick their owner’s or strangers’ faces to communicate something and figure out their intentions.
Dogs lick for a reward/attention
Usually, when a dog licks its pet parents, they often respond in a positive mood. Even if you are just trying to get your dog off, you have to be attentive to your dog. Dogs are smart creatures and know to get their parent’s attention. Moreover, when dogs are licking their parents, it causes the release of endorphins and dopamine in their bodies and makes the dog feel relaxed and calm.
Dogs kick to show submission
Dogs are the most loving animals on the face of the earth. They have natural genetics to love their pet parents. So they want to give everything to their parents, if your dog is licking your face, it may want to show its loyalty. It wants to let you know your superiority. It is a very artful but effective way of communication as a dog.
Enjoyment
Dogs need enjoyment, they love to go for outside walks with their owners. Bored and lonely dogs can also start to lick their parents to get their attention. During the process release of endorphins can also bring calmness to them.
Grooming
Dogs have a much more developed and strong sense of smell than us humans. They may lick their parents to clean the dirt on their faces or to get something smelly from their skin. So a dog can lick its parents just to clean them up.
Investigation
Dogs have an inquisitive nature, and their tongue has many sensors. Their sense of smell and taste are interconnected and work together like a team. Maybe you observe during walking sessions, your dog smells and tastes almost every other thing. So your dogs lick you, they might want to know where you have been and what you have been doing there.
Dogs lick due to medical reasons
If your dog is licking the same spot repeatedly, it can be a cause for concern. It might be any kind of allergic reaction or anxiety problem. If you observe your dog licking at the same spot again and again, it is recommended to fix your appointment with a vet. Skin allergies are very common in dogs, so a confirmed diagnosis by a vet is important.
Dogs often show various symptoms of skin-related problems such as hair loss, skin irritation and redness. Some of the possible medical causes involved in excessive licking are given below
Allergies
The most common and vastly prevalent issue in dogs to cause itching is skin allergies. Allergies can be airborne for example moulds or pollen in the air. It can be due to the food which can cause itching in your dog’s skin. Some dogs also suffer from allergic reactions due to the presence of fleas or even cats in their house.
Dogs lick due to skin conditions
Some diseases can drive the immune system to develop an itching response in dogs. So the disease has itching skin as its symptom. This itching response causes excessive licking and even forms a bald patch on the skin. In Hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism, different areas of hair loss may also appear on the body of the dog.
Dogs lick due to Infections
Bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections can also cause itching problems that lead your dog to excessive licking. These issues can be confirmed through the test of skin scrape by a veterinarian. A vet can confirm the presence of bacteria or microscopic yeast in the specimen.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
When a dog develops this condition, it becomes difficult for him to stop licking. A dog can spend hours licking himself or the floor, furniture or any other object. Often OCD develops in dogs who already suffering from behavioural anxiety issues.
You can get detailed articles to stop your dog from licking you or anything else.
Frequent Asked Questions
Dogs often lick as a form of communication, affection, or to explore their environment. It’s a natural behaviour that stems from their puppyhood, when licking their mother and littermates was essential for survival and bonding.
In most cases, a dog’s lick is harmless. However, be cautious if your dog has skin infections, or if you have allergies. Additionally, avoid letting your dog lick your face, especially around your mouth, to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria.
If your dog’s licking becomes excessive or bothersome, you can change their behaviour by offering a chew toy or engaging them in play. You can also provide mental stimulation through training or puzzle games to keep your focus elsewhere.
Yes, you can train your dog to control their licking behaviour. Teach them commands like “no lick” or “enough” and reward them when they comply. Consistency is key in training and reinforcing this behaviour.
While it’s rare, some diseases can potentially be transmitted through licking, such as parasites or certain bacteria. Regular veterinary care, proper hygiene, and updated vaccination status can reduce this risk. Follow the first-year puppy vaccination schedule to keep yourself safe.
