Dogs are born with the instinctive behaviour to lick. Mother dogs lick their puppies to clean and comfort them. Licking can indicate a variety of things, affection, taste, communication, for a reward/attention, to show submission, a medical reason, enjoyment, grooming, or a way to investigate.
Read on to know the reasons why dogs lick.
As a sign of AFFECTION.
There's a pretty good chance that your dog is licking you because it loves you! It's their way to show love and affection. That's why many people call them "kisses." Both puppies and adult dogs generally show affection by licking both people and other dogs.
It's the TASTE
Dogs will be able to pick up on a lot more information using their nose and mouth than us humans. Apparently one of the biggest factors is that you taste good. Our skin can be quite salty or have some residue on it from the food we’ve just eaten and dogs love this. It’s an interesting taste that dogs love to explore.
Born INSTINCT
When wolves (and sometimes dogs in the wild) return to their pups after a meal, they regurgitate meat from the hunt. The pups, too young to hunt on their own, will lick the meat from around the mother's mouth. It is believed by some that this licking behavior has been passed down in the DNA, causing dogs to instinctively do it sometimes.
They seek ATTENTION
It’s quite natural for puppies to lick both humans and other dogs when they are saying ‘hello’. This is normally accompanied by lots of sociable and enthusiastic tail wagging and body wiggling. As puppies get older they tend to do this less, but if the licking receives lots of attention (which it often does) then it’s likely to remain a big part of their greeting behaviour. Dogs also learn that it’s an excellent way to get attention at other times – if we smile and stroke them when they lick us, then we easily strengthen this behaviour.
To show SUBMISSION
For very similar reasons as the communication section, as puppies instinctively lick their mother’s mouth for food, licking other’s mouths is used as a form of interacting with other dogs and letting them know they’re superior to them or they mean no harm. A very subtle, but effective, way of communicating as a dog.
HEALTH ISSUE
As dogs don’t have hands like humans, they will often use their tongue to lick an area of irritation or a wound to comfort themselves. Depending on how much the irritation is troubling them, your dog will adjust how often they lick the area. If your dog is frequently licking the same spot it’s best to consult a vet and get a proper diagnosis. These can usually be figured out and treated quite well, for example, sensitive skin or an allergic reaction can be very much because of the diet.
ENJOYMENT
Dogs can get bored or lonely and licking can provide a little bit of pleasure from the endorphins released but also brings whoever they’re licking into the situation. It brings them attention and gives them something to do.
GROOMING or CLEANING
Dogs lick themselves to clean their fur because their tongue offers some antibacterial properties, though it’s a myth that dogs have antiseptic tongues. Dog’s mouths also contain harmful bacteria which live alongside the good bacteria. They may also lick you to get some dirt or something smelly off your skin.
INVESTIGATION
Dogs are naturally curious, and their tongues are packed with sensors. Their understanding of taste and smell are very much connected and work in tandem with each other. You'll see them on a walk running around smelling and tasting everything.
Have you come across any interesting, unique, or embarrassing moments of dog licking? Share it in the comments.
