Why Does Your Dog Lick You (And Themselves)?

Licking is a behavior that truly sets dogs apart from humans. After all, if you arrived home from a long day at work to be greeted by a human family member sprinting to the door and licking you enthusiastically across your face, you would likely get back in your car and drive as far away as possible.

However, licking is a very common behavior in dogs. Aside from the traditional scenario mentioned above, dogs lick both people and themselves for a variety of reasons. While it isn’t the most problematic dog behavior you’ll ever encounter, have you ever stopped to wonder why dogs lick people – or why dogs are so frequently spotted licking themselves?

In this article, we’re going to explore our dogs and their tongues, and reasons why they engage in the act of licking.

The origins of dog licking

While researchers and scientists have contrasting theories on the reasons behind the modern-day licking antics of our pups, there is actually evidence that the behavior has been taking place in the wild for centuries. The reason behind it makes total sense – even if it is a little on the gross side.

Research demonstrated that when a mother had recently had a litter of puppies, she would often regurgitate her food for them. The puppies would typically lick her face and mouth to prompt this. The mothering dog would oblige, as this helped to provide food for her puppies in those critical early weeks and months of their development.

Why does your dog lick you?

Dogs may lick humans in a number of different situations and contexts, and there is no definitive reason behind this behavior. However, it has been suggested that some or all of the following reasons may be contributory factors:

Your dog is showing affection. When dogs lick, endorphins are released in their brain, which helps them to feel relaxed, calm and happy. It would therefore make sense for a dog to engage in an activity that makes them feel good.
Your dog is craving attention. Dogs are natural attention-seekers, particularly in a home environment. If they are bored or understimulated, they may lick you to prompt you to engage with them.
Your dog is exploring the world around them. Dogs have to explore their surroundings in different ways – they are unable to use the sense of touch and feel in the same way as humans. Instead, dogs may use their tongue to help identify textures, smells and tastes.
Your dog likes the taste of you. Human skin can have a salty taste, particularly during or after exercise when sweat is released. Unusual tastes can be of interest to your dog. Have you ever noticed how your dog often licks you when you emerge from the shower? The scent of soap or body lotion can often pique their interest.

Why does your dog lick themselves?

In addition to licking humans, you may have noticed that your dog has a tendency to lick themselves repeatedly – often in areas of their body that make you sigh and roll your eyes in embarrassment at their lack of social discretion. There are a few reasons why your dog my be licking themselves:

Your dog is self-grooming. If your dog is licking their paws or other areas of their fur, they may be trying to remove dust, dirt or other particles from their body. If they have recently been out to potty, they may feel the need to clean themselves.
Your dog may have sustained an injury. Licking is a soothing behavior for dogs, and if they are licking a specific part of their body, it is worth checking to ensure there are no hotspots or scratches on their body that may be causing them discomfort.
Your dog is bored. If your dog doesn’t have sufficient mental stimulation, they may simply be occupying themselves by licking themselves.
Your dog suffers from compulsive licking or another medical condition. Compulsive licking can be a symptom of extreme stress or anxiety in dogs. Senior dogs who are returning to lick at the same spot on their body may be suffering from dementia. If your dog’s licking habits change, it can be worth consulting with a veterinarian or behaviorist as necessary to determine the root cause.

Should you be concerned about your dog’s licking habits?

In itself, licking is not a behavior that should provide you with cause for concern. It is a perfectly routine behavior that the vast majority of dogs will participate in.

There are two main reasons why you may want to dig deeper into your dog’s licking to rectify it.

The first reason is really nothing to do with the dog, and everything to do with humans – some people just don’t like to be licked by dogs, and this can be problematic if you have family members or other guests visiting your home.

Secondly, if your dog’s licking has changed over time – either in frequency, or the situations in which they lick, or if they are returning to lick a specific part of their body – this could point to an underlying medical or psychological issue which should be investigated, or they may have sustained a physical injury that needs attention.

How to resolve problematic licking

If you want your dog to stop licking – perhaps because it is annoying, or maybe you want to make sure they don’t bother visitors or guests to your home – it is important not to unintentionally reward the behavior by praising your dog when they lick you.

Instead, try to ignore your dog, and don’t engage with them until they stop licking. Consider stepping away from your dog to create some distance. Praise them for performing alternative behaviors, such as a sit or down.

Redirecting your dog by providing a puzzle game or engaging in another activity can help to prevent them from licking. If you do want to indulge your dog’s licking habit, you could also purchase a lick mat.

Is a dog’s saliva antiseptic?

A dog’s saliva is not antiseptic. Your dog’s mouth contains billions of bacteria (both good and bad), and while their saliva has some antibacterial properties, it is not antiseptic in the true sense.

Should you let your dog lick you?

While dog licks may generally be seen as enjoyable and bring mental health benefits for humans, care should be taken to ensure that dogs do not lick the eyes, ears, mouth, or any open wounds.

Outside of those key areas, it really comes down to your own personal threshold for dog saliva.