Why do dogs lick you?[2024 Edition]

You’re just sitting there, minding your own business when suddenly you’ve got a cold wet nose in your face and a big slobbery tongue licking your arm or cheek. Blech! Most dogs seem obsessed with licking us humans, but why do they do it? Is it just because they like the way we taste? There’s more to it than that. Dogs lick for a bunch of reasons you may not have realized. Understanding the science behind why dogs lick can help you figure out what your pooch is trying to say when they go in for a slurp. Get the inside scoop on why dogs lick you in this article. You’ll learn the meanings behind kisses from your canine pal and maybe how to stop them from licking quite so much!

The Science Behind Why Dogs Lick

Dogs lick for many reasons, but there are some biological drives behind this behavior. As pack animals, dogs have an instinct to groom each other. Licking releases endorphins that calm and soothe, so your dog may lick you to show affection and bond with you as a member of their pack.

Social Bonding

Dogs are social creatures and licking is one way they strengthen their social bonds. When a dog licks you, it’s often a sign of affection and a way of connecting with you. They learn from an early age that licking their mother and littermates leads to feeding, cleaning, and social interaction. As they get older, they transfer this behavior to their human families and lick as a way to gain your attention, and affection, and show they care.

Anxiety Relief

Some dogs excessively lick themselves or others as a way to relieve anxiety, stress, or boredom. The act of licking releases endorphins that can have a calming effect. If your dog seems overly anxious or is licking compulsively, it’s a good idea to determine the underlying cause of their anxiety and talk to your vet. Providing your dog with interactive dog toys to play with, giving them plenty of exercise, and sticking to a routine can help alleviate boredom and anxiety.

Health Issues

Allergies, gastrointestinal issues, and skin problems are common medical causes of frequent licking. If your dog’s licking seems obsessive or is causing damage to their skin, it’s best to have them checked out by a vet to rule out any medical causes. They can determine if it’s behavioral or due to an allergy and may recommend medication, a change in diet, or other treatments depending on the diagnosis.

While licking is usually a normal way for dogs to show affection and bond with their owners or family members, excessive licking may sometimes indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Paying attention to the context and frequency of your dog’s licking behavior can help determine the cause and the best way to handle it. With patience, affection, and sometimes the help of a vet, you can get to the bottom of problem licking.

5 Common Reasons Dogs Lick Their Owners

Dogs lick for many reasons, but there are a few common explanations for why your furry friend constantly licks you. Let’s explore some of the main causes of their licking behavior.

Showing Affection

Licking releases pleasurable endorphins in dogs, so they associate licking you with feeling good. Your dog sees you as a member of their pack and licking is one way they bond with and show love for their pack mates. While the slobbering kisses can be endearing at times, it’s okay to gently discourage this behavior when you’re not in the mood for some puppy love.

Seeking Attention

Some dogs are just born attention-seekers. If your dog licks you frequently, especially when you’re focused on something else like reading or watching TV, they may simply be trying to get your attention. While it’s sweet that your dog loves spending time with you, you need to set some boundaries to avoid reinforcing the licking behavior. Ignore the licking and avoid giving your dog attention when they lick. Once they stop, reward them with praise and play. This will teach them that licking does not lead to attention or rewards.

Anxiety or Stress

Excessive licking can sometimes be a sign of anxiety, stress, or boredom in dogs. The licking behavior releases endorphins that have a calming effect and help relieve stress. If your dog’s licking seems obsessive or compulsive, it may help to give them interactive dog toys to play with to keep them stimulated, take them on regular walks, and spend extra playtime together. You can also talk to your vet about anxiety medication or behavioral techniques to help address the underlying cause of stress.

Medical Issue

In some cases, excessive licking or licking in one particular area of the body can indicate an underlying medical issue that requires veterinary attention. Skin allergies, pain, gastrointestinal issues, or other medical problems can manifest as licking behaviors in dogs. If your dog’s licking seems unusual or excessive or is focused on one area, it’s best to have your vet examine them to rule out any medical causes. They can check for any skin problems, stomach issues, or other conditions that may need treatment.

Is Your Dog’s Licking Normal or Excessive?

Normal Dog Licking

For most dogs, licking is a normal way to show affection and bond with you. Your dog may lick your hands, face, or other exposed skin as a way to get your attention and say “I love you.” This kind of occasional licking behavior is usually nothing to worry about.

However, some dogs take licking to an extreme, and it can become excessive or even compulsive. If your dog is licking obsessively for long periods, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder or other underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Excessive Licking

Excessive licking can lead to irritation of the skin, infection, and other issues. Some signs your dog’s licking may be excessive include:

Licking that lasts for 30 minutes or more at a time.
Licking that causes bare patches, rashes, or open sores on the skin.
Licking that seems obsessive, frantic, or compulsive.
Licking interferes with normal activities like eating, sleeping, or playing.

If your dog’s licking seems obsessive or is causing physical harm, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by a vet. The vet can check for any medical causes of the behavior and may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist who can help develop a treatment plan. Treatment options may include anxiety medication, behavioral therapy, environmental changes, and giving your dog interactive dog toys to help combat boredom or stress.

In many cases, excessive licking is a symptom of an underlying issue like separation anxiety, boredom, stress, or compulsive disorder. By working with your vet and trainer, you can get to the root cause of your dog’s licking problem and find ways to help improve their behavior and quality of life.

How to Reduce Excessive Licking in Dogs

Dogs lick for many reasons, but excessive licking can be annoying and even lead to health issues in some cases. There are a few things you can try to curb the behavior.

Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Dogs often lick out of boredom or anxiety, so providing extra playtime, walks, training, and interactive dog toys can help address the underlying cause of the licking. Puzzle toys that dispense treats as your dog plays can keep them occupied for hours. Increased exercise is also excellent for relieving anxiety and pent-up energy in dogs.

Avoid Reinforcing the Behavior

As tempting as it may be, avoid petting or praising your dog when they’re licking. This positive reinforcement can make the behavior more frequent. Instead, ignore the licking and reward/praise your dog when they stop licking. You should also avoid scolding or punishing, as this can also reinforce the behavior by giving your dog attention.

Address Any Medical Issues

Sometimes licking can be caused by an underlying medical issue like allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or pain. If the licking is excessive or new, it’s a good idea to have your vet examine your dog to rule out any medical causes. They may be able to recommend medication or other treatments to relieve discomfort and reduce licking.

Provide Alternate Outlets

Give your dog alternatives to licking that they can redirect the behavior to. Offering them a chew toy, frozen Kong, bully stick or other safe chew option gives them an outlet to gnaw and lick appropriately. Rotating between different toys and treats will keep things interesting for your dog.

With time and consistency, you can successfully curb excessive licking in dogs using positive reinforcement training, and mental stimulation, and by addressing any underlying issues. Be patient through the process and understand that some occasional licking may persist, but you can gain control over compulsive, anxiety-driven licking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Why Dogs Lick

Why do dogs lick people?

Dogs lick people for several reasons. Primarily, licking is a way for dogs to show affection and bond socially with their owners or other people. Licking releases pleasurable endorphins in dogs that make them feel good and strengthen their social connection to the person or animal they’re licking. Dogs may also lick because they’re excited or anxious. Some dogs develop a habit of excessively licking people as a form of attention-seeking behavior or out of boredom.

Why do dogs lick faces?

An innocent dog licking your face is a sign of affection and submission. Dogs have scent glands in their facial area, so licking your face is a way to get to know you better through your smell. Face licking may also be a leftover behavior from puppyhood. Puppies lick their mother’s face to get her attention, show affection, and stimulate milk production. Some dogs never outgrow this behavior and continue licking faces into adulthood.

How can you get your dog to stop licking you?

There are a few things you can try to reduce excessive licking behavior in dogs:

Avoid reinforcing the behavior by not giving your dog attention when they lick you. Instead, reward and give attention when they are calm and well-behaved.
Provide your dog with interactive dog toys to keep them stimulated so they are less likely to lick out of boredom.
Gently but firmly tell your dog “No lick” and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy or treat instead. Be consistent with this training.
If your dog licks due to anxiety, try to determine the source of their anxiety and work to desensitize them gradually. You may need the help of a vet or dog trainer.
Bathe your dog regularly to remove odors that may be attracting them to lick you.
Avoid rough play or other behaviors that rile your dog up before interactions with people. A calm, exercised dog is less likely to lick excessively.

With time and consistency, you can train your dog out of excessive licking behavior by providing alternatives and rewards for good behavior. But some dogs may always remain frequent face lickers, so you’ll have to accept a certain level of doggy kisses!

Conclusion

So that’s the scoop on why dogs lick you – it’s just their way of showing some love! Sure, the slobbery kisses may gross you out sometimes but try to remember it comes from a good place. Your pup sees you as family and licking is how they connect. Next time your doggo gives you a big ol’ lick across the face, don’t push them away – pat them and know they’re saying “I love you!” in canine language. And if the licking does get out of hand, be patient in training them not to, just like you would with any other behavior. With a little work, you can redirect all that sloppy affection into something you both enjoy.