Why Does My Dog Lick Me So Much? 7 Common Reasons
You sit down on the sofa, and there they are. One lick on the hand becomes two, then five, and before you know it, your dog has decided you need a thorough wash. Sound familiar? Licking is completely natural for dogs. Some barely lick their owners at all, while others seem determined to slobber over their favourite humans from head to toe.
So, why does your dog lick you so much? Affection is certainly one possibility, but licking can also mean they want attention, like the taste of your skin, or are simply following a habit that has always worked for them. We’ll discuss the potential reasons below.
Key points
- Dogs often lick people as a sign of affection or to get attention.
- Your skin can taste interesting, especially when you have been sweating.
- Licking can be part of an excited greeting or a comforting habit.
- Some dogs lick more when they feel nervous or unsettled.
- Dogs quickly learn that licking gets a reaction from us.
- A sudden change or excessive licking may be worth keeping an eye on.
Why do dogs lick people?
Dogs start licking from a very young age. Mother dogs lick their puppies, while puppies lick their mum and littermates as part of normal social behaviour. As they grow up, licking can remain part of how they interact with other dogs and their favourite people.
Dogs also investigate the world with their noses and mouths. That makes our hands, faces, and feet surprisingly interesting places to explore! There is no single meaning behind every lick, though. Looking at what is happening at the time is usually the best way to work out what your dog is trying to tell you.
1. They are showing you affection
Let's start with the obvious one: your dog might simply love you.
Licking can be part of friendly, affectionate behaviour. If your dog comes over looking relaxed, gives you a few licks and settles down beside you, there is a good chance they are simply enjoying being close.
We might think of them as doggy kisses. Your dog probably doesn't think about them in quite the same way, but the sentiment isn't a million miles away.
2. They want your attention
Dogs are very good at training us.
Your dog licks your hand. You look at them, talk to them and give them a stroke. Mission accomplished. Do that often enough and your dog may quickly learn that licking is a brilliant way to get your attention.
Even saying “stop licking me!” can work in their favour. From your dog's point of view, you still looked at them and spoke to them. If your dog seems to lick whenever your attention is elsewhere, this could be the reason. Dogs that bark for attention are often doing the same thing.
3. You taste good
It's not all about affection.
Human skin can taste salty, particularly after exercise or on a warm day. We also carry all sorts of smells on our hands from food, other animals, and everything else we have touched.
To us, a hand is just a hand. To your dog's nose, it may be the fascinating story of everything you've done for the past few hours. Naturally, they're going to investigate.
4. They're excited to see you
If the licking begins as soon as you walk through the door, excitement is probably playing a part. Some dogs jump. Some bring you a toy. Some wag their entire back end. Others lick.
It can simply be part of their enthusiastic way of saying hello, especially if the behaviour settles down once the initial excitement has passed.
5. Licking helps them relax
Some dogs seem to find licking comforting.
You might notice your dog gently licking your hand while settling down beside you or just before going to sleep. If they look comfortable and relaxed, it may simply be part of their routine.
Dogs can also lick more when they're feeling worried or unsettled, however. Look at the rest of their behaviour rather than the licking alone. If they are pacing, struggling to settle or generally seem out of sorts, something may be bothering them.
Food and routine can sometimes play a part in how settled a dog feels, too. Our guide to the link between diet and dog behaviour looks at this in more detail.
6. They're trying to tell you something
Not every lick means “I love you”.
Dogs can't tell us how they're feeling in words, so they rely on body language instead. A quick lick can sometimes be part of their way of saying they feel unsure or would rather have a little space.
Pay attention to the bigger picture. If your dog is relaxed, waggy, and actively coming towards you, the licking is likely friendly. If they're turning their head away, backing off or looking uncomfortable, give them a bit of breathing room.
7. It's become a habit
Sometimes the simplest explanation is that your dog has always done it.
Perhaps licking started because they wanted attention. Maybe you laughed every time they licked your feet as a puppy. Over time, it simply became part of their routine.
If your dog is otherwise happy and healthy, habitual licking isn't usually something to worry about.
Why does my dog lick my hands?
Hands are particularly interesting to dogs because they carry so many smells. You use them to prepare their food, stroke other animals, open doors, pick things up and generally interact with the world around you.
They're also conveniently placed right in front of your dog's nose whenever you pet them. Your dog might lick your hands for affection, attention, or simply because they want to know where you've been.
Why does my dog lick my face?
Face licking is another common greeting behaviour, particularly when your dog is excited to see you.
Your face also has plenty of interesting smells and tastes around the mouth, which only adds to the appeal. Of course, you don't have to enjoy this. If you would rather keep the slobber away from your face, gently redirect your dog instead.
Why does my dog lick my feet?
Put simply, feet are interesting places if you're a dog. They can be salty, sweaty, and full of smells, while also being conveniently positioned near nose level.
Your reaction may make them even more entertaining. If you laugh, squeal, or pull your feet away every time your dog starts licking, they may think they've discovered a fantastic new game.
When is licking too much?
There isn't a set amount of licking that counts as “too much”. What’s more important is whether the behaviour has suddenly changed. For example, if your dog has always been an enthusiastic licker, that may simply be their personality.
A sudden increase deserves a little more attention, however, especially if your dog seems unable to stop or has also started constantly licking themselves, the floor, the furniture, or other objects.
It's also useful to separate licking you from repeatedly licking themselves. Dogs may lick or chew their paws and skin because they're itchy or uncomfortable. If that's what you're noticing, our guide to how to stop your dog itching covers some of the common reasons.
If the behaviour is sudden and persistent, or your dog simply doesn't seem themselves, it's always worth speaking to your vet.
How can I stop my dog licking me?
If your dog is healthy and licking has simply become an annoying habit, the trick is not to accidentally reward it. Try not to make a big fuss when the licking starts. Instead, calmly move away or redirect your dog's attention towards something else.
Once they stop and settle down, you can give them attention again. You could also encourage another behaviour, such as sitting beside you, bringing you a toy or settling with a chew.
Most importantly, be consistent. If one person discourages licking while somebody else responds with cuddles every time, your dog is going to receive some very mixed messages!
FAQs
Does my dog lick me because they love me?
Quite possibly. Licking can be part of affectionate behaviour, especially when your dog looks relaxed and actively wants to be close to you. However, dogs also lick because they want attention or simply like the taste of your skin.
Why does my dog lick me constantly?
Your dog may have learnt that licking is a reliable way to get your attention. It can also become a habit over time. If the behaviour suddenly increases or your dog seems unable to stop, it's worth speaking to your vet.
Why does my dog lick me when I pet them?
They may simply be responding to the attention and enjoying the interaction. Some dogs also learn that licking encourages their owner to keep petting them.
Should I let my dog lick me?
That's largely down to personal preference. Occasional licking is normal dog behaviour, but you don't have to allow it if you don't enjoy it. Avoid letting your dog lick broken skin or open cuts, and gently redirect them if you'd prefer to remain slobber-free.
