Why does my dog lick me when I pet him?

My dog would lick me at times when I wasn't petting him, I start petting him and when I stopped, he would start licking me again, I would start petting him again :) I agree, he was showing and wanting affection and saying "I love you."

Simple! It's a true sign of affection :)

He is showing affection! Think of it as him saying "I love you too!" :)

I adopted my Puggle from the city shelter over 7 years ago. (She is almost 12yo.) Either her previous owner taught her 'no licking' or she just doesn't like to give kisses. The only time I get a kiss on the face is if I have the smell of food on it. She has licked my hands/arms several times throughout the years; more so in the latter. I would always think she just smelled something good on me and would clean it off. But, after this post, I wonder if it's her way of showing how much she loves her furever family.

My dog does this too! It's a way of saying "I love you too! That feels good, see? I do it to you too." He/she is petting you back. Also most dogs think we taste good (or at least the salt on our skin tastes good.) It's the earliest sign of affection they learn, because as soon as they're born their mom licks them clean

Awww!!! He loves you!!!