- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs generally lick things that taste or smell good to them, but they often also lick as a way to show what they’re feeling. If your face is one of the many things your dog loves to lick, they might be trying to tell you something!
Licking is one way dogs communicate, and any emotion your dog experiences can lead to face licking. A few common reasons include stress, anxiety, taste, or fun, according to Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT, with Fun Paw Care Dog Training.
Dog face licking can be a sign of affection from your pup, but it can have a few downsides, too. We’ll cover these below and share a few ideas for ways to keep your dog from licking your face.
Is Licking A Love Language?
Although dogs don’t always lick your face to show affection, dog kisses are a real thing. Mother dogs lick their puppies for grooming and bonding, so licking is a natural behavior for dogs.
Dogs lick both to share their emotions and respond to yours. For example, your dog may lick your face if you’re crying or laughing, they’re happy to see you, or they want your attention.
Hartstein says that while there aren’t specific body language cues that mean your dog is licking you to show affection, you might notice them wagging their tail as they lick.
Why the face?
Dogs understand the world primarily through their olfactory glands, so they often identify and react to people through scent.
“Dogs target any area that chemically smells good to them, including your feet, crotch, armpits, and face,” says Hartstein. “They typically orient towards areas or clothing that harbor bacteria, chemicals, and scent.”
Because you put food into your mouth and often have a lot of bacteria on your face, it makes sense that dogs want to be close to your ears and mouth! Bacteria that builds up in your mouth during the night might also mean your dog licks your face more than usual in the morning.
Are There Benefits To A Dog Licking Your Face?
It’s generally fine to let your dog lick your face, and it might even do you both some good.
Bonding
Letting your dog lick your face gives them the freedom to express their affection for you, says Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB, IAABC-CDBC with Animal Behavior Wellness Center. In short, a few face licks can build trust and help you bond with your dog.
Stress relief
When your dog licks you, it releases endorphins that help them feel calm. Your dog may do this during a stressful situation like a storm or when new guests come over.
Licking may also comfort dogs because of the way their moms lick them during puppyhood.
But even though licking can soothe your dog’s distress in the moment, it’s important to talk to your vet if your dog’s licking continues. They can help you find and address causes of your dog’s stress.
Good bacteria
According to Pike, bacteria that transfers to you from your dog’s tongue could actually be good for your microbiome. This is because it gives you a more diverse population of gut bacteria, which can boost your immunity.
Most bacteria or germs that live in a dog’s mouth—Capnocytophaga—won’t make you sick unless you have a weakened immune system due to an alternative medical condition.
Are There Downsides To A Dog Licking Your Face?
If your dog tends to lick your face, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
The cause
It’s important to understand why your dog is licking, since licking can point to a negative emotional state, according to Pike.
However, if your dog seems happy and you don’t notice any other concerning behavior, you probably don’t have anything to worry about.
Bacteria
While some pet parents worry about zoonotic diseases, these infections are typically transmitted through dog bites. The bacteria and germs that can spread through licking usually aren’t harmful—but still, not everyone wants them on their face!
Harmful ingredients
If you’re wearing makeup, lotion, sunscreen, or another cosmetic that contains harmful ingredients, your dog could become ill, Pike says. It’s best to avoid letting your dog lick your face too much if you regularly wear these skin care products.
Tips To Manage And Redirect Face Licking
Not everyone enjoys face licks from a dog. Even if you don’t mind your dog licking your face, it’s important to consider other peoples’ boundaries!
If you want to train your dog to stop licking faces, at specific times or permanently, you can manage this behavior by giving them something else to do and praising the behavior you want.
“You’ll want give the dog something else to do that would satisfy their need to lick,” Pike says. A lick mat with a spreadable treat like peanut butter is an excellent option. Chewing treats can work well, too!
Ideally, you’ll give your dog the mat or treat before they start licking. To do this, you’ll want to take note of specific times they seem to lick, like after you eat, when you’re watching TV, or at bedtime.
If your dog starts licking your face and you want to redirect them, you can calmly get up and walk away to get the lick mat or treat, Pike suggests. Avoid yelling at your dog or otherwise punishing them for licking your face since this is a natural behavior, and you don’t want to scare them.
You can also praise your dog and give them treats when they stop licking.
What if my dog keeps licking?
Excessive licking could mean your dog is trying to soothe unwanted feelings, like anxiety, pain, allergies, or boredom.
If they keep licking your face—or anything else—even after you give them an alternative activity, a good next step involves talking to your vet. They can help you find the underlying cause of the licking and find helpful treatments for any health concerns or stress.