Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Why do dogs love to lick people?

It's something normal, dogs licking people. Some people love it or hate the idea of dogs licking them. What's the real reason dogs love to lick people? After reading some articles on the subject, there are many reasons dogs lick, which is mainly to show and/or demonstrate emotion or to communicate. In fact, from what I have read and from my personal experience with my dogs, licking is a way to show respect, submission, and affection.

Since dogs aren't able to talk, dogs use licking as a way to communicate with other dogs and with humans. Especially around strangers, if a dog likes you, they'll normally lick your hand or even your face as a sign of acceptance. In the other hand, your dog might just want to be walked or of feed, which might be the reason your dog licks you. The list is endless to why dogs lick people, but on thing for sure is that it's something positive. A dog wouldn't lick you and then bark at you, right?

Even though I have had my dogs for three years, I'm still not 100% sure why my dogs lick me. It's like having a baby, where the baby cries for many reasons. It might need a diaper change, it's probably hungry, or just wants to be carried. The same goes for our dogs, they lick us because they want or need something, but either way, they sure are adorable.

47 comments:

DAVEMAN said...

I thought a lot about this one. my brother-in-law's dog is always trying to lick me. I'm almost sure that it's a bonding/ID thing with the dog "Hi,remember me, still like me?" The other thing that I've heard at various times is that if a dog detects that your skin has salts or vitamins that the dog wants, that dog will start licking you...like a deer at a salt lick.

Tabasco said...

Yeah, I've always noticed that when I come home from the gym, my dog is especially licky. Maybe it's the salt from the sweat like daveman said. That and he loves me. Very very much (my dog, not daveman).

Jet said...

My dogs do lick me then bark at me...but they're a couple of Dachshunds with a troubled past. So it's ok.

I like the blog. It answers a few questions I've had about dogs. Like, this one. The bath information is also good to know. I don't give my dogs baths, but my sisters do. Next time I'll make sure to give them some pointers.
Maybe just work on some grammar stuff and this will be a first rate blog.

Anonymous said...

My dogs always lick me. Most of the time its after we get done playing or after im done petting them. SO hopefully its because they love me. Lol.

Anonymous said...

My housemates dog always wants to lick usually when I first arrive home this includes licking my face, I thought it might have something to do with her craving attention as she is quite an affectionate and intelligent dog she also approach visitors when they arrive as she will follow them around and lick thier hands and keep doing so until they withdraw from her or she gets told off for doing so, but I never really thought about the food regurgitation idea but I don't think so in this case.

Raylee said...

The ideas posted here are very interesting and many that I have heard before. I have 3 schnauzers and they lick ALL THE TIME! Don't get me wrong. I find it very soothing and relaxing, they especially favor my FEET, it's like getting a warm, wet foot rub. LOL. I agree that it is a form of communication as when I first get up in the morning, I make my coffee and then get on the computer. They ALL wash my feet until I get up to feed them. (they're telling me that they are hungry). They do the same thing in the evening if I'm sitting down and it's within an hour of dinner time. When we go to bed they wash my feet under the covers, I believe it's a way of relaxing themselves before sleep. My Chloe washes any exposed skin if I'm petting her, I believe it's a reciprocal grooming habit. Any way you look at it, they are taking care of us or communicating in their limited ability. I see it as a wonderful way of allowing my dogs to speak to me and I try to meet THEIR needs by allowing them to do it. Obviously there is a psychological need that has to be met in them as well. Next time it 'gross' you out' consider that you might be doing a very wonderful thing for the one who loves us so unconditionally.

Anonymous said...

i love licking dogs.

Anonymous said...

These answers sound great, but my dog also licks the couch!

Anonymous said...

poo

Anonymous said...

I think. Some. Times my dog licks me because
she's tasting me

Anonymous said...

i like to put peanut butter on my ball sack and allwoing the dog to lick it off

Anonymous said...

I find your comment offensive, too personal for general posting, and really rather depraved. You must be a very lonely or disfunctional individual.

Rocky said...

My dog licks whatever where ever. Couches, carpets, cat crap, and his ball sack. Without peanut butter.

Im sure when he lick me its pure love.

Anonymous said...

Dogs are derived from wolves, jackals, colyotes etc. When wolves come back to the den from making a kill, the younger wolves which haven't fed yet lick the face and mouth of the returning wolf. This is an instinct which prompts the wolf to regurgitate(vomit) some of the partially digest meat. This behaviour is most likely a throwback from this. A dog's sense of smell is so acute, that they can find drugs in a car, a cadaver submerged in 10' of water or even a tumor growing in a woman's breats. Oh yes, my friends; "Fluffy" might be glad to see you come home, but he can also smell that hamburger you ate for dinner and he's begging you to puke some up to share......puke a little and see what Fluffy does next!

Anonymous said...

i got two dogs they bark alot they juup and lick plp big dog can sand my little one jumps um high

Anonymous said...

i got two dogs they bark alot they juup and lick plp big dog can sand my little one jumps high

Anonymous said...

i got the big one he a prtot the home my little dog i saw eating grass

Anonymous said...

who talking now?

Anonymous said...

my little dog like stull like powes and other sotf things but not things feet

Anonymous said...

soft

Anonymous said...

i think my dog wants to taste me sometimes but when i come back from a jog it licks me a lot so i think it is trying to get nutrients

Anonymous said...

I ♥ dogs!

Anonymous said...

I ♥ dogs

Anonymous said...

It would be nice to just be dogs, then we can lick all body parts and not be offended.

Anonymous said...

My dog licks me or the time and i dont know why. Could she be trying to cleanse my skin?? she licks at any spot she can find lol

Anonymous said...

I put honey on my clot and let my dog lick it till I cum. Seriously...try it.

Anonymous said...

wow seriosly ppl this is a blog to learn bout mans bestfreind not to post ir disturbing sick ideas with these poor animals u guys need HELP MENTAL HELP!!!.if u guys cant get laid use a sex to or ur own fing hand!!! but leave these innocent animals alone!!

Anonymous said...

To the sicko who left comment about peanut butter etc.... I'm turning u in.... IP addy will give info. The detectives will go thru this site.

Anonymous said...

I've tried peanut butter on my ball sack but I'll say this it's pure heaven to smear pb on ur ass crack and let two dogs go wild licking it out...... I tell my pups there having peanutbutter tacos for dinner and they go wild

Anonymous said...

My dog seems to lick me more, and even seems to cuddle more when im stoned. (weed) Just an interesting observation i have made.

dog world said...

you can view this in my site :d
http://alldog360.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

my dog (corgi spaniel) is very affectionate and will lick my hands or legs but rarely the face. recently i was in the hospital and away from home for three days. when i returned the dog jumped on me and licked my face. i think surely he was telling me that he missed me thus a show of affection.

Anonymous said...

I like to lick my dog. Sometimes our tonges touch.... Its so hot! And thats before the lights go out!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Lol at these comments

Anonymous said...

U people are sick

Anonymous said...

I like to shove peanut butter up my butt. My dogs just love a good scavenger hunt.....and I just can't say no to there cute little faces!!!!

Anonymous said...

I did'nt mind dogs licking me until I saw one eat it's poo, apparently a lot of dogs do this. That's the end of any dog licking me again.. Yikes!!

Anonymous said...

My dog gets so excited about taking a walk Thats his way of saying thankyou i would like to think a nice lick of the hand lol

Anonymous said...

I have 2 dogs a phalene and a sprollie . The phalene licks all the time every time he comes up so and you start patting him he licks your hand the whole time you patting him and now I know why . The sprollie on the other hand licks when she wants something occasionally for affection but mostly for a treat but I know they still love me xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Some people are bound for hell. Having sex with an animal is an abomination in the sight of God. People like that will not be going to Heaven unless they make a serious change and get the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Just stick your foot in the fire pit for a little while and see how it is going to feel when you die and go to hell.

Nicki said...

My dog Leia licks me to show affection. When I massage her ears and her jaw line, she is in heaven. Her eyes are relaxed and her body is less tense. I can feel all of the tension melt away from her. She loves it!! I know she is showing affection because she and I are connected and if you know your pet, you know how they respond and react to certain situations.

Anonymous said...

http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/i-have-the-results-from-your-stool-sample-delicious.jpg

Anonymous said...

God.....Some of you people are just plain SICK and I feel so sorry for your pets.

Anonymous said...

My both boy Schnauzers lick me . I really sense its a sign of love n effection. When I massaging them and pettin them they give me love back. Its beatiful! There are alot of sick effers here. Hope they rott in hell! Just sayin!

Gramps said...

I have a Poodle mix that licks all the time. she tries to lick our faces all the time but we let her lick our hands and arms. She is a rescue dog so I know she is grateful to us for rescuing her. All of my dogs have been rescue dog since I was little. Like you all I don't like people that abuse animals in any form whether physically, mentally ,or sexually that is just inhumane in all aspects.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Dogs faithful animals. We need to know something about dogs. Especially those who love dogs. About using dog behavior. And they have some special reasons why they do this.

Click here to know why do dogs lick