Why does my dog keep licking me?

Picture this: you arrive home from work, or the weekly food shop, to be greeted with warm, slobbery kisses from your canine companion!

Does your dog love to lick? Canines communicate through licking, barking, and body language. While they use licking as a natural way of comforting, cleaning, and bonding with other dogs, your dog might lick you because they love you, they’re attention-seeking, or to self-soothe in stressful situations. 

In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons why dogs lick you, and what to do if your dog is constantly licking you or themselves. 

Affection – why does my dog lick me so much when we cuddle?

One of the main reasons dogs love to lick people is simply to show their affection. You take great care of your pup, so it’s not surprising you’re their world!

When dogs lick, endorphins are released. Endorphins are ‘feel-good’ chemicals made in the brain. So, while your dog licks you, they’re enjoying endorphins that help them feel calm and comforted.

As a puppy, your dog probably appreciated the affectionate licking of their mother and would have learned that behaviour from her, too. Because of this, it’s only natural for your dog to want to show their love for you by licking whenever you cuddle them.

Emotional response

Have you ever noticed your dog licking you when you’re stressed, sick, or upset? Our canine companions are clever enough to know when we aren’t feeling our best. Since licking is comforting for them, your dog might be licking you to help you feel better.

A 2017 study in Behavioural Processes found that dogs licked more often when shown images of angry human faces compared to happy ones. This shows the direct link between licking and responding to human emotions - whether that’s through a stress response or empathy. 

You taste nice!

If your dog isn’t particularly affectionate, and rarely shows you any kind of love, the reason for their occasional licking could be because you taste nice!

Just like a puppy will lick empty treat toys and bowls long after their favourite food has gone, some dogs savour the salty flavour of their owner’s skin.

Sensory tool

Because your dog’s paws can’t examine things the way our human hands can, many dogs lick items to work out what they are.

To our canine companions, licking is like touching something. Thanks to the fact that tongues are filled with millions of sensory cells, your dog may just be licking new people and pets to find out who they are!

Attention-grabbing

Dogs are intelligent. Your clever canine may have learned to use their tongue to get your attention!

Have you noticed your pet turning to lick you when they’re hungry or want to play? Any positive reactions to past licking behaviours could have, unintentionally, taught your dog that licking is a good way to get your full attention, whenever they want it.

How do I stop my dog from licking me?

While your dog’s excessive licking could just be a sign of affection, it can be irritating when you need to get things done yet end up constantly wiping dog drool off your face and/or hands!

Here are some techniques to try to stop your dog from licking you:

Change your body scent

Many canines can’t help licking their owners’ salty skin. So, switching the scent of your skin can be enough to deter your dog from licking you as much.

Products like body wash, soap, and perfume have an impact on how tasty your puppy finds your skin. By finding something that smells or tastes terrible to your canine companion, they’re less likely to lick you as often!

However, make sure you only use skin products that are non-toxic to dogs.

Keep your dog occupied

Playful puppies may lick you as a sort of game. Keeping your canine occupied is a great technique to lessen their licking behaviours!

Distract them with suitable toys, where appropriate, and consider taking them on a walk when you think they’re trying to play.

Ignore unwanted licking

If your dog keeps licking you for attention, the best response is often to do nothing at all. Avoid eye contact, talking to them, and touching them (even if you’re pushing them away), as these things can all accidentally reinforce the behaviour.

Stay consistent

When training your dog how to stop licking, consistency is key. If one person in your household laughs and pets the dog while another discourages licking, your pup will become confused about what’s acceptable.

Make sure everyone in the family reacts in the same way to unwanted licking to avoid any confusion for your dog and help them to learn good habits more quickly.

Be patient and reward good behaviour

It’s important to remember that if your dog has used licking to communicate for a long time, it may be difficult to re-train them or stop them from performing typical behaviours (like licking you). For this reason, it’s essential to avoid scolding your dog if they fall back into their licking habits.

Instead, constantly reinforce acceptable levels of licking by praising them for positive behaviour and rewarding them with a treat or playtime.

When to see a vet

Although a little licking now and then isn’t usually something to worry about, if your dog is licking all the time, it’s definitely worth having your canine companion checked by a vet.

Always be aware that dogs who lick themselves excessively could be:

• In pain
• Hiding an injury
• Nursing an open wound
• Dealing with an allergy
• Battling boredom
• Suffering from anxiety
• Trying to cope with an underlying health issue, including stomach or digestive problems.

Please contact your vet immediately if you notice your dog displaying any concerning or unusual licking behaviours.

FAQs

Below, we answer some more specific questions about dogs’ licking habits:

Is it safe for dogs to lick you?

For most people, dog licking is safe, but there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Bacteria in saliva: While dog saliva is usually harmless, it does contain bacteria that could cause infection if it enters your eyes, mouth, or an open wound. It’s best to wash your skin after being licked, especially if you have cuts or scratches.
• Children and face licking: Kids have weaker immune systems and may not understand safe boundaries with pets. For this reason, children should not be encouraged to let dogs lick their faces.
• Creams and medications: Certain skincare products, such as steroid creams or medicated ointments, can be toxic to dogs if ingested while licking. Always avoid letting your pet lick areas where you’ve applied these products.

Why does my dog lick me excessively at night?

Sometimes, dogs will lick you at night to self-soothe. While not always the case, excessive licking can be linked to tummy problems, as well as stress and anxiety. We already know licking promotes the release of endorphins that can calm stress in our dogs, but constant licking can also suggest something is wrong with their stomach.

Contact your vet straight away if you’re concerned about your dog’s excessive licking habits.

Why do dogs lick your face?

Dogs often lick faces as a way of bonding, just as they licked their mothers and littermates as puppies. Your face also carries lots of interesting tastes and smells, and things like traces of food, salty sweat, or moisturisers can all attract your dog’s attention.

Face licking can also be linked to feeding instinct. In the wild, puppies lick around their mother’s mouth to encourage regurgitation of food.

Usually, it’s nothing to be concerned about, but if it’s bothersome, try training your dog using the techniques mentioned earlier in the guide.

Why does it mean when a dog licks your hand?

When a dog licks your hand, it’s usually down to curiosity or a display of affection.

Your hands carry scents and flavours from food, people, and places you’ve touched throughout the day which is especially interesting to your dog - almost like a map of where you’ve been.

Licking your hand can also be a way of showing love or seeking attention, since dogs quickly learn this behaviour earns a response. In some cases, it may even be instinctive, as puppies lick older dogs to show submission or bond socially.

Why do puppies lick you?

For young dogs, licking is part of learning and bonding. Puppies lick their mothers and littermates for comfort, to show submission, and to strengthen social ties. In the wild, pups also lick around their mother’s mouth to encourage her to regurgitate food, which is sometimes an instinctive behaviour that can follow them into domestic life.

Puppies may also lick you simply to explore new tastes and scents, or as a way to seek attention. This behaviour can often continue into adulthood as a sign of affection.

Conclusion

Licking is one of the many ways our dogs communicate, whether they’re showing love, exploring their world, or simply trying to get our attention. In most cases, it’s a harmless and natural behaviour, but if your dog keeps licking excessively or starts licking themselves all the time, it’s worth seeking advice from your vet.

Want to learn more about your pooch’s habits? Browse our related content to get practical tips for understanding your dog and keeping them happy and healthy. 

Related resources

Reading your dog's body language and emotions
Understanding your dog’s language: barking
All dog training and behaviour advice