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Whether it’s a quick tongue flick on your hand or an enthusiastic face wash, If you’ve ever wondered why do dogs lick their owners, you’re not alone. Licking is one of the most common dog behaviors, and it’s more than just a greeting or their way of telling you they love you. Dog licking is not just some random, spur-of-the-moment action, but rooted in biology, communication, instinct, and emotion. Let’s break it down.
Why Do Dogs Lick You? The Main Reasons
As I already mentioned, there isn’t just one reason. It’s really a blend of things, not just one simple answer, and it changes based on the situation, the dog, its age, and other factors. But here’s the list of the main reasons.
1. Affection and Bonding
One of the most common answers is the one we all thought to be true or had hoped. It’s simply their way of showing love. Think of it as a dog’s hug. Licking releases endorphins (feel-good chemicals) in dogs, helping them feel calm and connected, which is the same thing that happens to people when we hug someone we love.
Dogs lick people as a way of showing affection and bonding. Puppies do the same to their mothers – they lick them for comfort. Just like many other things, adult dogs carry this bonding behavior into their relationships with owners. So when we “translate”, it means:
- I trust you.
- You’re part of my pack.
- This helps me calm down.
2. Communication
Dogs don’t use words, unless it’s Stella the talking dog. They use body language, vocalizations, and touch, and licking is part of that communication system. Sometimes dogs lick their owners to show affection and for bonding, as mentioned above. But sometimes they have to “say” something else.
This behavior comes from wolves and dogs’ shared ancestor, the proto-wolf or dog-wolf, and it can still be seen in modern wolves or our furry friends at home. It’s when the more submissive wolves in a pack lick the more dominant one as a sign of respect. Dogs transfer this behavior (instinctual behavior, not learned) to humans to say:
- You’re in charge
- I come in peace
- I’m just a baby
3. Attention-Seeking Behavior
After some time, let’s be honest, dogs read us like an open book. We think it’s the other way around, but they are very clever and very good at catching on to our behavioral patterns. And not just that they learn how we react after they do something, but they know how to use that depending on the person they’re with. Different barks for different people in the family.
The same goes for licking behavior. Here’s an example of the pattern:
It can be a “negative” reaction where you think they’ll stop, but no, they’ve got what they were looking for. An example:
So if a dog gets a reaction from its owner every time, the dog will quickly learn that the pattern works and it will keep on doing it. After all, why not?
I said that even negative attention can reinforce the behavior because it’s the reaction they are looking for. If your dog licks you and you react every time, you’ve accidentally trained them. Or better yet, they’ve trained you.
4. You Taste Interesting
Okay, sometimes it has nothing to do with communication or affection; it’s simply a matter of taste. Human skin carries salt from sweat, traces of food, and interesting scents from who knows what that dogs can smell on us. After all, dogs have 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute sense of smell than we do.
Dogs explore the world through their sense of smell, but they use their mouths too. So the next time you wonder why do dogs lick you, they might investigate the interesting scent or taste they found on your skin.
5. Anxiety or Compulsive Behavior
Sometimes licking isn’t about affection at all, but a self-soothing behavior. As I already mentioned, licking helps dogs calm down. If your dogs lick you, themselves, or surfaces obsessively, it could mean there is an underlying issue, such as anxiety.
It’s not always the case, but if it happens a lot for months, and it’s hard to stop your dog from doing it, then it might be time to visit the vet. Why the vet and not a behaviorist right away? Because we want to rule out any medical issues such as skin irritation, injuries, and so on. Once that has been cleared out, you can consult a certified dog behaviorist.
As one, I can tell you that the first thing any dog behaviorist will ask you is about your dog’s history. When did it start, how did it start, do you know what happened around that time, how long have you had the dog, were there any changes in your life/environment, and so on.
I’ve talked about why dogs do things obsessively, even if it hurts them, in the article called Endorphins and Anxiety in Dogs. Here’s a quote from the article:
Those exhibiting anxiety-related behavioral patterns, such as excessive paw-licking, chasing tail to the point of hurting themselves, excessive barking, and others, often have low levels of endorphins. Because they don’t have enough of this feel-good hormone, they have to do things that cause the brain to produce it!
Is It Safe to Let Dogs Lick You?
Generally speaking, dog saliva is not harmful to healthy adults. However, their saliva does contain harmful bacteria that could cause issues under certain circumstances, such as:
- Weak immune system
- Open wounds
- Scratches (inside the mouth and on the skin)
Of course, it doesn’t mean that if you have a scratch and your dog licks it, you will get sick. Some “conditions” have to be met first, such as:
- A large enough number of harmful bacteria have to come into contact with the wound
- The bacteria have to stay long enough to actually do harm
- You have a weak immune system
So my opinion is that it’s best to avoid allowing your dog to lick any open wounds you have, or your eyes, or inside the mouth. It doesn’t hurt to be cautious. However, if you have a weaker immune system, it’s wise to be even more cautious.
How to Stop a Dog from Licking Too Much
If you don’t want your dog to lick you (especially your face), then the key is to ignore the behavior. Ignoring it, we try to eradicate a behavior by not giving the dog what he wants – our attention. If they don’t get attention, they won’t find any satisfaction in licking your face, and they’ll eventually stop.
But you have to understand that the reason your dog licks you is actually really helpful to your dog, so give them something else in return to feel safe. Redirect their focus to something else that will feel equally good to them, such as a toy. And always reward the desired behavior.
So, here’s the essence of what to do when you don’t want your dog to lick you:
- Stay neutral. Don’t reward the behavior with attention.
- Redirect to a toy or command.
- Reward calm behavior. (Give your dog a treat)
- Increase mental and physical stimulation to reduce boredom.
- Consistency is key. Dogs thrive on predictable responses.
FAQ
Why do dogs lick you?
Dogs lick you to show affection, communicate, seek attention, explore your scent and taste, or self-soothe when anxious. Licking is a natural canine behavior rooted in puppy bonding and pack instincts. In most cases, it’s a sign of trust and social connection.
Why do dogs lick your face?
Dogs lick faces as a social greeting behavior. In puppies, licking the mother’s face stimulates feeding, and this instinct often carries into adulthood. Face licking usually signals excitement, submission, or strong attachment to their owner.
Is it good when a dog licks you?
Yes, licking is usually a positive sign. It often means your dog feels comfortable and bonded with you. However, excessive licking may indicate stress, boredom, or learned attention-seeking behavior.
Should you let your dog lick you?
Occasional licking is generally safe for healthy adults. Avoid allowing dogs to lick open wounds, eyes, or inside the mouth. If you have a weakened immune system, it’s best to limit direct contact with saliva.
