Dogs lick for a variety of reasons, depending on the individual dog.
Is your dog licking you to show affection or because she needs some type of attention?
In most cases, dogs lick to show affection. In fact, licking is a dog's primary way of showing you how much she loves you.
Your dog may also lick in order to get your attention or even just because that's what she has always done when trying to ask for something from you.
We’re going to jump into the secrets about why your dog is licking & how to stop it.
They are trying to show affection
One of the most common reasons that dogs lick is because they are trying to show affection. If your dog is licking you constantly every time you see him, it's likely he just wants to be close and feel like he has a special bond with you. When a dog licks you, it could be his way of showing how much he cares and how much he loves you. Of course, this behavior can be seen in dogs of all breeds and they aren't always trying to show affection - it could be because they're hungry or just want some attention from their owner.
They want love from you
If your dog is licking you, pay attention to his body language. If he has his tail up in the air, alert ears and is wagging vigorously, then it's likely that your dog just wants some love from you. Even if dogs lick because they want affection or attention, sometimes dogs can overdo it.
They want attention
Another reason why dogs lick is because they are trying to get attention, whether it's positive or negative. If your dog is licking you in order to get your attention, then stop what you're doing and pay some attention to him. Sometimes dogs lick when they want something from their humans - feeding time, a walk outside or just some playtime can be enough reasons for dogs to lick. If your dog is licking you because she's upset or anxious, then pay attention to why she might be feeling that way. Just like humans, dogs can have a variety of reasons they're not feeling well and just licking someone isn't always a sign that it's time for a trip to the vet.
They are communicating something important
Dogs sometimes lick their humans to try and get them to take actions or do something. When dogs lick people, they are often giving their owners cues about what they want to happen next. For example, if your dog is licking you, he might be trying to tell you that he wants food. If your dog has just come inside from being outside in the rain all day, he might be trying to tell you that he wants to go outside with the rest of the family.
If your dog is licking you because she's anxious or upset, then it's important that you don't give into her demands - just like if one of your children was crying and yelling for ice cream. If you're not sure why your dog is licking you, then think about what kinds of things might be causing your dog to lick you.
They are trying to interact
Another reason that dogs lick is because they are trying to interact with the world around them. Their sense of smell might be very strong and their tongues can pick up various scents in the environment.
They have an itch
If your dog is constantly licking the same area, then it might be because she's trying to get some relief from an itch. Dogs who are licking themselves can have skin allergies or parasites, so if your dog is always licking the same spot of his body, take him to the vet for a checkup. If your dog is constantly licking you on one place of your body, then that's where she might have an itch.
They want to be submissive
You've probably seen dogs licking their owners before, whether it was the family dog at home or a stray on the street. But why are dogs constantly licking other animals? Dogs often lick to show affection, but they also do this when they are feeling threatened or insecure. They lick because they want to make themselves seem smaller - in some cases, dogs even mimic the licking behavior that puppies do when they are nursing to elicit a maternal response from people. If your dog is licking you, then it's important that you don't ignore her - instead, try to figure out why she might be feeling this way!
What to do
If your dog is constantly licking you, then it's possible that the problem might stem from how her tongue feels. Some dogs don't like having their tongues touched and others just don't like when they lick certain materials in the house. When your dog licks you, try to touch his tongue for a few seconds or rub your hand along it. If he backs up or shows signs of anxiety, then licking might be an act of self-defense.
This problem is usually fixed by teaching the dog that licking people is not allowed - since it can get them into trouble! You can teach this using negative association or positive reinforcement (or both). Using negative association means that you punish your dog for licking and positive reinforcement means that you teach them an alternate behavior. To do this, make a noise with your mouth when your dog starts licking and then put another treat in front of their nose. If you're using positive reinforcement, then just use a normal command like "leave it" or "get away."
Some dogs just love being licked and others just hate it! If your dog is licking you, then try to determine why that might be happening. You can then take action to stop her from licking you by rewarding the actions that you want to see more of and ignoring ones that you don't want as much.
