Why Do Dogs Lick You? Understanding Your Dog’s Behaviour

Most dog owners know the feeling of being licked by their four-legged friend after a game of fetch or having them lap at your hand on the sofa, but many don’t always know what their dog’s licking behaviour means. Licking is an entirely normal behaviour ingrained into dogs from birth, though it has many meanings, from affection and communication to curiosity and scent exploration.

Different behaviours have different meanings and hallmarks, and taking the time to understand your dog can also allow you to easily identify any compulsive or problematic behaviours.

Whether it’s a Yorkshire Terrier or a Great Dane, recognising your dog’s ways of communicating is a great step towards strengthening your bond.

Why do dogs lick? The natural reasons behind the behaviour

While it might seem like a simple question, 'why do dogs lick?' actually has several fascinating answers rooted in both biology and emotion.

For dogs, licking is an instinctive behaviour, rather than something they’ve learnt, and serves a great deal of purposes throughout their interactions with both humans and other animals.

Licking, much like barking, is a key form of communication for dogs and can be your companion’s way of expressing their emotions. Much of the time, dogs lick their owners in order to show their affection, though licking can also be used as a means of exploring their environment, too.

It is perfectly normal for and expected that a dog licks itself regularly in order to clean its coat and skin, too, and it may have no deeper meaning at all.

Often, dogs may lick you more in part due to the positive reinforcement they are given when they do. In many cases, ‘Why do dogs lick when you pet them?’ can be answered with ‘Because you pet them!’

In any case, dogs' licking can mean many different things, so answering the question 'Why do dogs lick?’ largely depends on the context and surrounding body language. 

Instincts that start in puppyhood

For dogs, licking is a behaviour that begins from an early age. A dog’s mother will lick its puppies from birth in order to stimulate breathing and digestion and will continue to lick them as they grow for grooming and bonding purposes.

The puppies return the favour, licking their mother to communicate feelings like hunger or simply to display their comfort. 

As these behaviours begin from birth, it is no wonder they are carried into adulthood, and so when your dog gives you a lick, it is often an extension of their early nurturing experience – or a way of saying they care about you.

Licking as a way to explore the world

Like many animals, dogs rely heavily on their senses of scent and taste. As a result, a dog’s licking can be a means of unlocking more sensory understanding of their surroundings and isn’t just a random behaviour.

Next time you go for a walk with your four-legged friend and notice them using their tongue as they sniff around, just remember this is their way of exploring the world.

Why do dogs lick you when you pet them?

So why do dogs lick when you pet them? Well, there are actually a few answers to that. Besides using their tongues as a means of exploring their environment, showing affection, or communicating their needs, there are a couple of other reasons why dogs lick.

One of these reasons is as a mark of respect – dogs are known to show their submissiveness to other members of a pack by licking the leader, so your canine companion may be telling you they think you’re a great owner or friend.

Licking is also a natural way for dogs to soothe themselves; the action releases calming endorphins that help your dog feel secure and relaxed in their environment.

It’s important to observe your dog’s body language here to determine why your dog may be licking you.

Why do dogs lick you so much? Understanding different types of licking

With dogs, licking can have varying motivations behind it, so it’s important to observe your dog's behaviour, even down to the frequency of the licking behaviour, in order to determine why your dog licks you.

Some reasons for dogs licking are the following:

• Showing affection
• Comfort or self-soothing
• Food or taste-driven
• Stress or compulsive licking

Why do dogs lick you so much, then? Well, the answer to that isn’t so straightforward, and could be for a number of reasons.

Affectionate licking

Affectionate licking appears in different ways, from your dog lapping at your hand as you come home from work to licking you all over as you snuggle on the sofa. This is often why dogs lick when you pet them. 

However, it appears that these are the kind of licks that show whether a dog loves its owner and are a surefire way to know that your dog really cares about you.

Comfort or self-soothing licking

Sometimes dogs will lick when they are anxious or tired, as the repetitive behaviour helps them calm themselves.

Common triggers for this kind of licking behaviour are new environments, separation, and noise. 

If you’ve moved home, started a new job with long hours away from your furry friend, or are having loud building work done, for example, and notice yourself thinking, 'Why is my dog licking me so much?' It might be worth keeping an eye on their licking behaviours.

When a dog is licking to self-soothe through stress, they will most likely lick themselves rather than their human. Be sure to check their fur for patches of excessive licking, which can start to lose hair – the skin may appear red or even sore. 

If you notice your dog repeatedly licking an area, you should have it checked by the vet to make sure nothing else is causing the issue. For dogs who are stress-licking, it can be helpful to engage them in a game or go for a walk to distract them from whatever is causing their stress.

Food or taste-driven licking

Everyone knows that when there’s food, your dog is never too far away, and that applies even to the scent of food, as sometimes your dog will lick their owners after smelling leftover food on them.

This taste-driven licking extends also to licking the salt on human skin. This kind of licking is more of an indication of curiosity, though, than any emotional meaning.

Next time you’re wondering, ‘Why does my dog lick me so much?’, consider whether you’ve just had dinner!

Stress or compulsive licking

Repetitive or intense licking can be a sign of stress or compulsion and may indicate unmet needs, anxiety, or boredom.

It is important to recognise the difference between normal and compulsive licking behaviours here.

• Normal - This will be occasional and often easy to interrupt.
• Compulsive - This is more persistent, repetitive, and difficult to interrupt.

If your dog is behaving in a compulsive manner, avoid making a diagnosis yourself, and instead, observe their behaviour before seeking professional advice.

This kind of licking can appear as your dog licking you or itself excessively. If it is licking itself, warning signs for compulsive behaviour are any wounds or areas of the coat where fur has been lost due to over-grooming.

When does dog licking become a problem?

The licking behaviour of dogs is perfectly normal and is normally just general cleaning of themselves; it only becomes a problem once it crosses from normal into excessive, as this may be a potential indication of an underlying issue.

Problematic licking behaviour could be that your dog licks you far more frequently than before, or that when they do lick you, it is more intense and for longer periods, or even that when they lick you, it is harder to interrupt or stop them than it once was.

It could also be that they lick themselves to the point of hair loss or injury, and any signs of this should be reported to a vet.

If your dog’s behaviour changes following a sudden lifestyle change such as a new home, it may be stress-induced, as these kinds of changes can be triggers for problematic behaviour.

Any sudden changes in behaviour, even outside of licking – such as mood, level of activity and appetite – should be flagged to a vet or behaviourist.

Signs you should speak to a vet

As much as you might enjoy the extra kisses from your companion, it is important to recognise when to take them to see a professional. 

• Obsessive licking – Excessive licking of themselves or you could indicate an underlying issue.
• Wounds or hair loss – Any injury or undesirable change because of over-grooming should be flagged with a vet.
• Behavioural shifts – Changes in mood and behaviour can be a sign of stress, anxiety, or something else beneath the surface.
• Reduced appetite or energy – Lower energy or less appetite for food are also signs it’s worth getting your pet checked out.

Is it safe to let dogs lick you? Tips for you and your dog

So now you’ve got the answer to ‘why’ dogs lick you, it's important to know the answer to ‘Is it safe?’

There are many reasons why your dog licks you to begin with, and though it can be perfectly safe for healthy people to let their dogs lick them with hygienic washing practices, there are a few considerations that can make it even safer.

Avoid allowing your dog to lick near your eyes, mouth, or open wounds to protect yourself from any potential bacteria that may be transmitted. Washing your hands after any excessive licking is another way to protect against this.

Also, ensure your pet has regular dog dental care to reduce harmful bacteria and maintain oral hygiene.

Overall, canine kisses every now and then are okay, so long as you keep hygiene in mind, especially if your household holds children, elderly people, or those with lower immunity.

How to gently reduce licking if needed

Everyone loves kisses from their beloved pets, but if you need to reduce licking, especially if it has become a compulsive behaviour, there are a few ways to do this:

• Redirect - Use toys or commands to redirect your dog’s attention
• Reward - Reward calm behaviour instead of licking
• Don’t Encourage - Avoid reinforcing licking behaviours
• Exercise - Make sure your dog has adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

Understanding your dog’s licks strengthens your bond

Now you’ll never have to ask, 'Why do dogs lick you?’ again! Whether it’s motivated by love, exploration, taste or stress, understanding your dog’s licks is crucial to strengthening your bond. 

Whilst most licking is natural, instinctive, and meaningful, understanding the surrounding context can help in identifying any unusual behaviours. Owners can guide such behaviours gently when needed, but should be aware when compulsive behaviours warrant a trip to the vet.

No matter if you have a Labrador or a Chihuahua, a Doberman or a Dalmatian, licking is one of the core means of communication between your dog and you and is an important part of the connection between humans and our beloved dogs.

Why do dogs lick you? - FAQs

How do dogs apologise?

A dog’s way of apologising is easing tension through submissive behaviour – this may include licking their owner's hands or face, rolling over to show their belly, lowering their ears and head, or tucking their tail between their legs.

Dogs also send calming signals to diffuse tension or to show they are stressed. They do this by yawning or licking their lips, often accompanied by diverting their eyes to and from your gaze.

What do dog kisses mean?

Dog ‘kisses’ can mean many things, from stress relief to exploring their environment, though in the case of loving homes, it is very often just a way of showing their affection.

What breed of dog licks people a lot?

Labrador Retrievers are known for being big 'lickers' and are typically an especially friendly breed, eager to show their affection.

Do dog licks equal kisses?

Sometimes. Dog licks can often be a means of showing love, affection, or even respect, though that is not always the case. Why your dog licks you could also be simply a way of exploring their surroundings or tasting the salt off your skin, both of which have very little emotional meaning.