Why do dogs lick you?

Dogs come with a whole bunch of cute and quirky characteristics.
Those eyes that scream I love you; that adorable tilt of the head; and the tail that flaps wildly each time you walk into the room.
But have you ever wondered why dogs lick you?
Are they really dog kisses, or could it be something else?
From attention-seeking to being affectionate: animalife explores this frequently asked question.

Affection
For dogs, licking is an instinctive behaviour that starts at birth. Female dogs lick their pups to clean and comfort them, and so when your pup’s mother licked him, he would have felt safe and secure.
When your dog licks you, it could simply mean he loves you and wants to keep you safe.
Oh, and it also releases endorphins which makes them feel good!

Communication
Like humans, dogs are social animals, meaning they form strong attachments through communicating with one another.
As pups grow, they start to lick their littermates. This learnt behaviour helps them bond and shows they are submissive.
Fun fact: your dog’s puppy ancestors would lick their mother’s mouth for pieces of regurgitated food.
So, a domestic dog might be telling you that he is hungry. Or maybe he simply wants to be friends.

Reward
Dogs will often lick you for something in return.
Many dog owners give their dogs a friendly fuss in response to being licked.
Just as your pooch will have associated a treat with training, there is a good chance he’ll have done the same with licking.

Taste
Yep, dogs like how we taste.
They could be looking for discards of food we ate earlier, or they may just enjoy the salty taste of our sweat.

Attention seeking
Or it could just be plain old attention-seeking!
Your dog is your number one fan and loves you dearly. But suppose you’re distracted by your phone, tidying around, or maybe showing affection to another person. In that case, your four-legged will want in – and what better way to tell you than through licking!).

Is it safe for your dog to lick you?
The age-old myth that a dog’s tongue has antiseptic superpowers has well and truly been debunked.
But some good news: it is unlikely your dog will cause you any harm by licking you (just make sure he hasn’t been out sniffing another dog’s poop!).
Also, allergies to dog saliva are relatively common, so it may be advisable to avoid those dog kisses.

What should you do when your dog is constantly licking you?
If your dog has started excessively licking you, seek advice from a registered veterinarian. Illnesses such as Dementia or separation anxiety can leave your dog feeling nervous, stressed, or scared: the constant licking might be a form of self-comfort.
If underlying medical issues have been ruled out, it could be a behavioural issue. Maybe your dog just wants more of those delicious endorphins they get from licking you.
If this is the case, PetMD offers these tips on training:

Remain Neutral
Do not give your dog any attention (positive or neutral) when they start to lick you. Stand up, leave the room, and your dog will soon learn that licking won’t give them the response they want.

Be Consistent
Allowing your dog to lick you sometimes but not others will be confusing for him. If you really want the licking to stop, you must be consistent. This may sound cold, but there are other ways you can train your dog to show affection.

Distract
If you would prefer not to take the neutral approach – take the distraction one! When your dog starts to lick, try and divert their attention to a different activity. This could be sniffing out treats or performing tricks. Over time, your dog will soon learn that you don’t want them to lick.

If licking remains a problem, consult your veterinary practitioner.