Some people find it bizarre, and some consider it a sign of affection from their canine best friend to bond with them. What are we talking about? Licking, of course!
Licking is instinctive in dogs. Their mothers lick them when they are young, and that same licking behavior is transferred to us, as humans now make up a dog’s pack.
In this blog post, we’ll look at why some dogs can’t seem to get enough of licking us and how you can stop it if it is annoying you.
1. Dogs are Showcasing Affection
Most dogs lick their owners to show their love. As puppies, they are licked and groomed by their mothers, and they get the same endorphin boost when they grow up by licking their humans.
Dogs will lick your face, hands, feet, or any available skin patch if you let them, but they love to mostly go for the face as a sign of affection and submission. It is generally assumed that it is their way of loving their owners which is why most people call it “kisses” by their dogs.
2. Licking Offers an Exploration Opportunity
Just like human babies, dogs explore the world around them with their tongues. Their formidable scent talents are what gets them interested in tasting everything, which includes you. Getting a lick off you might be your puppy’s way of understanding you as part of their environment.
3. Dogs Seek Your Attention
If you respond positively by laughing, smiling, or patting your dog, he or she will learn that licking you gets your attention. Even if you give a negative reaction like pushing your dog away or saying “no”, you are still giving them your attention which is what they might have been after.
4. Licking is Instinctual
When wolf mothers return from a hunt, the pups will often lick her mouth in greeting and as a way to get food. Sometimes, dogs continue to do this, even after thousands of years of evolution into the domesticated dog. Wolves and dogs, in many ways, aren’t that different!
5. It’s a Way of Communication
Dogs sometimes lick other dogs or humans to understand their intentions. You will often see dogs licking other dogs’ faces to show them that they mean no harm. Likewise, licking might mean your dog is trying to get your attention.
6. You Taste Good to Your Dog
Did you spill something on yourself? A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than a human’s, and your dog might be smelling something even if you don’t. Even skincare products can smell nice and tasty to them, so if you have something on your skin, your dog might be after that.
7. Your Dog Suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
If your dog suffers from prolonged stress or separation anxiety, it might develop OCD (yes, it can affect dogs, too). It’s a psychological condition that can manifest itself in various behaviors like obsessive licking and chewing.
If your dog shows other signs of stress and excessive licking, it is time to get in touch with a vet. A vet might refer you to an animal behaviorist or prescribe medicine for your puppy.
4 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Licking
If a dog starts licking excessively, it might be due to a medical condition or behavioral issue. Check with a professional for a possible solution. However, if you think the issue can be handled without professional help, you can try the following methods for your dog to stop licking excessively.
1. Ignore Them
Dogs mostly lick to get their owner’s attention. If you want your pet to stop licking you, completely ignore it and leave the room. Remember, both positive and negative reactions will encourage this behavior, so don’t even push your dog off or touch him.
2. Reward Good Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best practice for training your pet. The best time to reward your dog is when it is sitting calmly beside you. Using deterrents or getting angry at your dog when excessively licking can stress your dog out further and encourage more anxious or obsessive behaviors.
3. Increase Their Daily Exercise
If your dog is in good health, you can up their exercise levels throughout the day to burn off some of that excess licking energy. A tired dog will be happy to curl up in bed and leave your face alone.
4. Be Consistent
You’ll have to avoid reacting to their licking 100% of the time and ask everyone in your household and your guests to do the same. Allowing your pet to lick you sometimes but then hushing them the other times will only create confusion for them.
If you have visitors, tell them to completely ignore the licking behavior and only pay your dog attention when he or she is sitting calmly down.
