Why Do Dogs Lick You?

Why Do Dogs Lick You? It’s not like you rubbed bacon on your hands, so why do dogs lick you? Here are reasons, some you may not know. Many people ask this question "why do dogs lick you?" Explanations range from normal behavior to emotional needs.

Most licking happens for one of several reasons.  Do you know what they are? Do you know of other reasons why your Boston licks?

 
Dogs Lick Us Due To Anxiety Occasionally, licking is a sign of anxiety. If you think your dog has anxiety, consult your vet for confirmation and how to handle it.

Dogs enjoy licking, they will sometimes lick as a way of comforting themselves. It usually shows itself as licking themselves or other pets, even licking objects, but they may lick you for relief as well.

Dogs Lick People To Get To Know Them.  Another reason why dogs lick you is to learn about you. Smell may be their strongest sense, but they learn a lot from what they taste as well. That’s why they lick other dogs in greeting, and why they lick people.

You may have also observed you dogs licking  other dogs’ mouths to determine if they’ve eaten and if a food source is nearby. Taste tells them a lot more than just how to fill their belly, however, especially in domesticated dogs.

 What they taste when they lick tells them about chemical composition, which can clue them in to other things about you. Human hormones and chemicals vary based on everything from our health to our mood, so they may be able to tell a lot about our state of being by licking us.

You Taste Good. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer. Sometimes dogs lick you because they like the taste. Just try putting on a face lotion with Coconut oil as the base and see if you suddenly get a lot of face licks from your family dog, who loves the taste of your lotion. Dogs also tend to like salty, savory flavors. Human sweat is loaded with sodium, so if you’ve ever noticed your dog licking your feet after a workout, it’s because of the flavor. 

Dog Will Lick As An Act Of Submission.  Licking is also a sign of respect and submission for dogs. They’ll lick higher-up pack members to show acceptance of that member’s higher rank. If your dog lays down and licks your feet, that’s likely their way of showing respect for your authority.

 A Dog Licks You Because She Loves A sign of affection. From the day they were born, their mother licked them to clean them and stimulate them. Because of that, licking is connected to their very earliest social bonds, so it’s a significant part of their social signals. A dog who licks you is showing you love. It’s why your dog licks your hand happily when you walk in the door, and why many dogs will lick you after you’ve been petting them.

 Do you have a dog that licks a lot? If that's a problem for you, you can channel that licking energy. One of my favorite diversions is by using a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. A Kong or similar toy  is a great toy for your dog and will last a long time.  Stuff it with peanut butter and you dog will spend hours trying to lick every last bit out of the center of it.