You’ve might have wondered why your pooch just loves licking so much, especially your face. When you get home, when you’re sleeping, whenever is a good time. They are there to greet you, tongues and all. But why do they love to lick?
Here are a few reasons:
- To Show affection
- To help heal their wounds
- When they are bored
- When they are hungry
- They like the taste of your skin
Licking is a habit that is learned near after at birth. The mother will lick her puppies to clean them, show affection and stimulate their elimination systems.
Puppies learn from their mother, so they will use their tongues to discover the world around them.
Is your dog licking at his paws constantly? Notice a red, swollen, inflamed appearance to the area between the paws? If so, talk to your vet as soon as possible. Not only is excessive licking very uncomfortable for your dog, but it is often due to an underlying medical problem that should be checked out.
Petful says:
“ If your dog licks a lot, invest some time in training him to be more restrained, especially if he is big. You are prepared to handle his weight and affectionate greetings, but visitors to your home may not be ready for all that heavy licking.”
Communication
Dogs also lick people as a form of communication. A lick can be a sign of greeting to humans who have been away all day at work. A lick upon your return may be a way of saying, “Hello,” or “I’m so glad to see you.”
Though licking can also be a display of dominance as well so it’s important to know the difference. If you pup is trained and knows that you are in charge, he may be licking you to acknowledge that.
Sources: Petful, Pet Health Network:
