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<\/p>\nDOGS are great pets to have due to their unconditional love, but this love comes served with a side of slobbery licks.<\/p>\n
While dog licks can be gross, it can be a sign they are trying to communicate something with you – here's what we know.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Carolyn Menteith, an experienced dog behaviouralist and Kennel Club Accredited Instructor explained: \u201cLicking is a very natural and instinctive behaviour for dogs.<\/p>\n
"It helps them take in tastes and scents from things in their environment to help discover more about them, and can also be a way to show affection or interact."<\/p>\n
By studying their behaviour, and getting to know your pet, you can make some educated judgments on why your dog is licking.<\/p>\n
One reason for the slobbery kisses from our canine friends is to show us affection.<\/p>\n
When dogs are young, their mothers spend lots of time licking them \u2013 it is a nurturing behaviour.\u00a0<\/p>\n So when domestic dogs lick their owners, they imitate this behaviour and demonstrate the love they have for them.<\/p>\n This is also a sign of empathy as dogs will attempt to lick their owners if they see they are sad or crying, in order to comfort them. <\/p>\n It even feels good to your dog to do this; when they lick for affection, pleasurable endorphins are released in their brain.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n If your dog is licking you regularly it probably just means they love you.<\/p>\n When in nature and dogs travel in packs, licking plays a big role in the way they communicate.<\/p>\n They can use their licks to tell each other they\u2019re hungry, hurt, or even just to ask to be friends.<\/p>\n If your dog comes to lick you then you will respond by fussing them or speaking to them, from here they can communicate whatever they need. <\/p>\n By responding to the licks with the correct solution, your dog will learn that licking is an effective way to get you to help them and the behaviour will be reinforced. <\/p>\n It may sound a bit gross, but our skin is home to a range of tastes.<\/p>\n Particles of food we had for dinner, sweat, and even just the grease and bacteria that exist naturally on our skin can all taste great to\u00a0a dog. <\/p>\n Make sure you don't have remains of something inedible to your dog where they are licking, such as melted chocolate, as this puts them at risk of poisoning. <\/p>\n If you spot your dog licking somewhere excessively they've probably found a patch that is particularly tasty so just make sure it is safe to lick. <\/p>\n Sometimes, they\u2019re merely enjoying the flavour they get from you.<\/p>\n When your dog licks you, you might start petting them, scratching them, or even giving them some food in return. <\/p>\n This reinforces the behaviour and dogs will lick you more because they are aware they will get something enjoyable by doing so.<\/p>\n This can be a two-way street as they want to show you that your response to their needs was correct, so they lick you. <\/p>\n Dogs don't understand that humans don't lick to communicate so they are just using the tools they know to speak to you. <\/p>\n A dog's tongue is a particularly sensitive tool and can help them learn a lot about their surroundings.<\/p>\n When dogs lick you, they are taking in sweat from your skin. <\/p>\n This contains water, ammonia, sodium, potassium and a whole host of other stuff that dogs can draw information about you. <\/p>\n It may be they are just trying to learn a bit more about you.<\/p>\n Excessive licking can be a sign that your dog is feeling anxious or ill. <\/p>\n Dogs vary in how much they lick anyway so look for changes in this behaviour to indicate something is wrong. <\/p>\n Your dog may be seeking comfort when they lick you or be trying to alert you that something is wrong. <\/p>\n If your dog begins licking lots more than they usually do, you might need to check in with a vet and monitor what they are eating. <\/p>\n Plain food will help an upset stomach but if they have eaten something dangerous you should take them to the vet immediately. <\/p>\n While we trust dogs mean well when they lick us, it can get annoying or make us feel uncomfortable. <\/p>\n You shouldn't feel guilty as no compulsive behaviour is good for them, including licking.<\/p>\n Carolyn said: \u201cWhen dogs lick, they get a release of \u2018feel-good\u2019 hormones – which is highly reinforcing for them, so encourages them to keep on licking!\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf you really don\u2019t like your dog licking you, you can reduce it by ignoring the behaviour, and interacting with them only when they keep their tongue in their mouth.<\/p>\n "You can pre-empt their licking by asking them to do something else instead \u2013 for example, you could teach them to touch your hand with their nose \u2013 and reward them with a treat or toy, for doing that instead.\u201d<\/p>\n In future, when your furry pet licks you, you should ignore them or train them to perform other behaviours instead.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-24164471-1695811797519.jpg\")
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They want your attention<\/h3>\n
You taste good<\/h3>\n
As a reward<\/h3>\n
They are exploring<\/h3>\n
They feel anxious or unwell<\/h3>\n
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