Why do dogs lick you? Dogs are known for their lovable and playful qualities. They are also known for licking people, which we are all used to. But why do they do this and should we tolerate it or prohibit it!? We'll explain!
Content: Why do dogs lick you?
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Is dog licking dangerous?
Licking itself is not dangerous! But as we all know, we usually don't know where the dog's tongue has been recently and that's when it becomes a problem. Dogs have their noses everywhere and occasionally dogs eat their own feces, that of other dogs or other animals. Why dogs eat feces is a topic in itself, but one thing is certain: nobody wants a dog's tongue on their skin that may still have feces from someone else stuck to it. Not only is it disgusting, but it can also carry pathogens. The real danger does not come from the dog's tongue, but from the pathogens it may transmit.
Of course, it makes a huge difference whether the dog licks its hands or its face near the mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes). This should be discouraged, because only then can the pathogens become really dangerous. If you then wash your hands after the dog has licked them, you can rest assured.
Why do dogs lick you?
Dogs learn to lick from their mothers. Immediately after the puppies are born, the mother dog licks her newborns. This not only brings them closer together, but also cleans the little ones and massages their bellies after they have given milk.
The little puppies imitate their mother and lick themselves and their siblings. From now on, licking is a standard means of communication for all dogs.
Over the years, dogs naturally develop different habits, which can lead to some dogs licking significantly more than others.
Basically, dogs licking is a form of communication. However, when it comes to humans, there can be other reasons:
To show their affection
Not only dogs lick, but also other animals such as horses or cats . However, dogs do this more often. Usually they do it to express their affection or to greet someone.
Submission & Appeasement
Dogs lick to signal submission. This behavior is observed among dogs in packs. Dogs who are about to get into trouble or are just expecting it also like to lick as a sign of submission.
It could also be that the dog wants to calm down the people who are fighting. He can also calm himself down by licking others.
Play, fun & attention
Dogs are always looking for attention from us humans. Many have learned that their licking means we get our full attention. It doesn't matter whether we react positively or scold them.
Most of the time, the plan works out quite well, as it is often followed by a stroke or even a treat . This form of licking in dogs can be easily discouraged by ignoring the dog when it starts doing it. However, you have to act consistently here, otherwise it won't work!
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Delicious leftovers
If the dog can smell even the slightest trace of the last meal on your hand, it is not surprising that he will want to try it. Meat and sausages are particularly tempting, but other animals are also very interesting to him. In this case, licking allows him to expand his perception and better understand where the smell that is sticking to your hand comes from.
Your own hygiene products
It can actually be because of your own soap or shampoo that dogs lick you. A simple solution can be to switch to other products. For example, dogs generally don't like citrus fruits at all - and hopefully won't lick your hands either!
How can I stop my dog from licking?
For many dog lovers, it is completely normal and the thought of trying to stop their dog from licking is completely incomprehensible. Why train your dog to stop a natural and well-intentioned behavior? Occasionally you actually see people who "kiss" their dog. Even if we don't think licking dogs is that bad, the latter definitely goes too far and can lead to serious illnesses. Small children in particular should be closely monitored. Even if the dog is actually healthy, it can carry pathogens that can be dangerous to us humans.
That's why it can be appropriate to teach your dog at least a few basic rules. For example, that hands or feet are OK, but the face is taboo. A sensible middle ground, but one that requires some discipline to implement.
Ignore licking behavior
Dogs lick, mostly to get your attention. So to stop him from licking, it may be enough to ignore him whenever he starts. It is important not to react negatively either, because that also means attention for the dog. The best thing to do is to leave the dog and the room for a while, if possible, or turn your back on him and ignore him. Only if the dog does NOT get his goal, your attention, will he possibly understand that the licking is undesirable.
Distraction & Movement
Distraction almost always helps. Therefore, one way to stop your dog from licking is to distract him with other activities. Granted, this will probably encourage the dog to lick whenever he wants to play. However, he may re-associate licking and only do it when he wants to play.
A dog that has had enough exercise and is tired is very unlikely to lick as much. Therefore, it is always a good idea to offer dogs a healthy amount of activity!
Spray with water
A spray bottle filled with water can be helpful in getting your dog to stop licking, provided it's warm and you're outside. Then every lick with a splash of water in the face can quickly lead to him stopping. But just to remind you: dogs often lick out of affection and don't understand at first why you're rejecting them.
training
Of course, your four-legged friend's behavior can also be trained. For example, you can teach him to lick on command:
- Choose a command word like “lick”
- Offer him your hand. To make it easier to start, a little peanut butter on your hand can help.
- When he has licked your hand, give the command word to stop. For example, “Stop” or “End”.
- It is important to reward the dog, even if he only stops for a short time.
Medicines
If the licking does become obsessive and pathological, a veterinarian can prescribe various medications . However, this should be the last step and should be done less because of the licking itself and more because of an underlying anxiety disorder or other illness in the dog.
If a dog’s licking occurs so frequently that it no longer seems “normal” or even pathological to you, please do not hesitate to take your dog to the vet.
A muzzle is not a solution here
Some people recommend using a muzzle to stop licking. We don't think much of this because it doesn't address the real problem that might be behind it, nor does it help the dog understand what it's about. It's a simple and short-sighted solution.
Conclusion
As with many issues surrounding our beloved dogs, opinions differ on this one too. While many people have absolutely no problems with it, others fear communicable diseases or are simply disgusted by it.
Whichever camp you belong to, always remember that both sides are not entirely wrong. The dog's behavior in this case is absolutely natural and basically desirable in terms of healthy socialization of the four-legged friend into his human family.
But the other side is also right in its objection that dogs simply do not have the same understanding of hygiene as we do and lick ourselves with the same tongue with which they just tasted feces.
A sensible middle ground is probably the best here too. With the right training, your dog won't see rejection as an insult!
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