- This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
It’s no big secret – dogs love to lick! After all, it’s a natural and instinctual behaviour that has a variety of causes. A dog lick is a sign of communication, and depending on how you respond to your dog, you may be (accidentally) signalling to your dog that you like being licked.
Sometimes licking can also suggest illness, pain, nausea, or discomfort. “Excessive licking is basically when your dog will not stop,” says Los Angeles-based author and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Nicole Ellis.
However, to stop all this licking, you have to know the cause—so you can redirect your dog appropriately or address any underlying causes of pain.
1. To Show Affection
To your dog, you’re the world. Smothering you with “kisses” is his natural way of welcoming you home after a long day apart. He wants to express how delighted he is to be reunited. After all, it’s in a dog’s nature to lick you as a sign of love.
Redirection: If you want your dog to cuddle or lean against you instead of licking you, ignore them when they lick your hand or face. Get them to lay their chin on your knee or lap instead before showing them with praise.
2. To Get Attention
Licking is also your dog’s way of saying, “Hey, hello, look at me!” This attention-seeking behaviour is usually reinforced with your positive responses—treats, kind words, or a pat on the head.
Redirection: While some of us would take licking over barking, many people also prefer neither to happen. Teach your dog to get your attention by using talking pet buttons or booping you with their nose instead.
3. You Taste Good
Plain and simple, your dog likes the taste of your salty skin. This is especially true when you’re perspiring (double yuck). Plus, your dog finds comfort in your scent.
You may have some food on your face or fingers that they find appealing. Or they may just be giving you a quick groom, like momma to a cub.
Redirection: This one is on you. Try washing your hands before interacting with your dog so they don’t get in the habit of enjoying leftovers from your fingers.
4. To Communicate a Need
Your dog may lick you as a way to request treats and food. Ellis notes that some dogs use licking as a form of communication, which means they may lick you if they want dinner, need to go potty, or have another request.
5. To Calm Their Stress
Licking can also be a self-soothing practice for your dog. “They could use licking to soothe themselves and their stress,” says Ellis. “And in the same way, also to soothe other animals, and even their humans, if we’re stressed.”
You may notice your dog licking more frequently if they exhibit separation anxiety or other behaviours indicating stress.
The soothing nature of licking may also explain why this action seems to ramp up at night. Licking produces happy chemicals in dogs, says clinical animal behaviourist Jade Nicholas. The chemicals help them settle before sleeping.
Stock/Vanessa Nunes
6. To Get You to Stop What You’re Doing
Pay attention to when your dog is licking you and other behaviours they are displaying before and after they give you a kiss. If you notice they shy their head away before licking you, they may actually be communicating a need for space. Watch out for those whale eyes!
Redirection: Licking may also be an appeasement signal, meaning that they want to show you they aren’t a threat. In this case, you may want to step away from your dog to give them space. Only continue interacting with them if they give obvious consent, like if they follow you and ask for interaction through a head boop or lick to the hand.
7. To Engage In Their Grooming Instincts
Nicholas says it’s natural for dogs to want to lick and groom. She says licking is a social behaviour that they practice with their brothers and sisters and then with other dogs and humans.
Some experts think dogs might try to clean their pet parents like other dogs, but Nicholas says there’s no concrete proof.
Redirection: Too much licking can mean your dog is stressed, anxious, or in pain. If your dog is licking a lot, talk to a vet to make sure there are no health problems. A dog trainer can also help your dog feel less stressed.
Will preventing my dog from licking me hurt our bond?
It can be frustrating when you can’t do something you want to. Our dogs might feel the same. Nicholas says since licking is important to many dogs, they might get frustrated if they can’t.
But don’t worry! Stopping licking won’t hurt your bond with your dog. She says it won’t be a big deal, even if it affects your relationship.
You can still have a strong bond with your dog by doing other things, like playing, training, petting, and cuddling. Plus, another family member might be okay with licking, so your dog can still get their licking time in with them!
When Does Dog Licking Become Excessive?
For the most part, having your dog lick your skin is not cause for concern. There are, however, a few negative scenarios to keep an eye on.
1. Excessive licking can be a symptom of anxiety or OCD
“When a dog is stressed, often they will pick up a behaviour just like we often do,” says Ellis, kind of like a nervous habit. “So often our dogs will start licking, and that’s kind of a calming repetitive behaviour.” If you notice your dog obsessively licking you (or another object), he could be suffering from anxiety or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. This extreme behaviour warrants a vet visit to explore possible treatments.
2. When you start getting sick
“Dogs have bacteria in their mouths that are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed down to humans, and those can cause gastrointestinal issues,” says Ellis.
As any pet parent can tell you, dogs aren’t exactly the most hygiene-conscious creatures when it comes to what they put in their mouths. They can carry nasty bacteria in their saliva, which is not the kind of stuff you want on your face.
3. Licking can become a major nuisance
In the end, if your dog exhibits excessive licking, and it’s affecting you or others negatively, then the behaviour is a problem. Maybe your dog bothers guests, or perhaps you’d simply prefer to skip the onslaught of saliva every day after work.
“Sometimes, it can be annoying,” says Ellis of our dogs licking us, “but it’s important to also take it seriously and see if there is a medical reason.” If your dog’s licking behaviour is a source of concern, it’s always best to check in with your veterinarian.
You can also try and help curb enthusiastic licking with a few simple changes. The key (as with any training) is consistency. Try implementing one or more of the techniques above the next time your dog gets a little too close for comfort.
