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Why Do Dogs Lick People ?
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Many breeds of dog have the tendency to try and jump up and lick their owner on the face and arms. Some owners love it as they regard it as kissing but to others it is a nuisance and can be offensive and frightening towards strangers. I can visualise generations Labradors running into my consulting room and jumping up on me while furiously trying to lick! They are just such a friendly family orientated sort of dog.
So why do they lick? :
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1. They lick a person to whom they wish to signal deference. Dogs are pack animals, and in the pack situation those that are the lower order wild dogs will licking the alpha dog’s face as an act of submission. So when he does it to you it is a sign that you are higher in the pecking order.
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2. In the wild pups will lick their mothers lips when she returns to the den as they want her to regurgitate food for them. They will also generally make a fuss of her and that is the stimulus for her to vomit up the food in her stomach for them. It could be that your Labrador regards you as her mum and so makes this fuss when she sees you for the first time each day.
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3. It could be a form of attention seeking and most people will react to the situation and the dog will learn from this and so be manipulative.
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4. The dog may lick simply because it relishes the taste of salt from the sweat on a persons face and bare arms.
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Of course dog’s cannot talk and tell you why they do this but the above is my personal theory.
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However the big question is how would you stop your dog doing this?
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1. Do not turn it into a game, when he does it turn round, stand stock still and ignore him. Then walk away and ignore him, on the other hand praise him if he is calmer, this way the dog is not getting the response he is looking for if he is attention seeking.
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2. An alternative is to have a small rape alarm or perhaps a coke can full of stones ready. When he comes at you shout NO! and either sound the rape alarm or throw the coke can close to him so it makes a noise and startles him. Keep doing this and then ignore him, again if he is calm praise him and perhaps give him a small treat.
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3. It may be possible to hold him on an extension lead and if he jumps up at other people to lick you can pull him back and shout NO!. Again praise him if he is good.
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No one method would work with any dog but the basis of all dog training is the carrot and the stick. Ignoring him and not turning it into a game may be the core of this method. Try and not lose your temper with him as this achieves little and physical punishment may just cause confusion.
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Where to go from here? If having read this article if you need further information or would like to talk over the subject of dogs licking people or dog training in general with a qualified veterinary surgeon on a one to one basis then please use the Just Answer contact box at the bottom of this page. There is a charge for this service but the fee is minimal and you need not pay unless you are satisfied with the answer, the service is available 24/7. There is also a selection of sensibly chosen and reasonably priced books on the subject also available below. Though the comments section is now closed you can still read other people’s take on the subject.
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Filed under: Dog Training
18 Responses to "Why Do Dogs Lick People ?"
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“and can be offensive and frightening towards strangers.”
What…? Offensive to who… Muslims? GTFO.
Mark,
Thank you for your comment.
I live on the island of Mindanao and I carry out charity work with dogs here to pass the time. Rabies is not uncommon and is a disaster to the dog population which wanders at will and human cases unfortunately occur as well particularly amongst children in the slum areas.
I can assure you that in my experience a dog running up to a person here and trying to lick them would instill fright.
Even in the UK where you come from judging by your e-mail address there many people who are not dog orientated or have phobias related to dogs.
Regards,
Scott Nimmo
My dog licks ALL THE TIME and many of my friends find it frightening, even though he’s just being freincly. I know lots of people who are scared of dogs, I was before I got mine.
‘Marko’ makes me laugh (Y)
what an idiot lol
friendly*
Hello Nikkie,
Hey thanks for dropping in, much appreciated …
You are quite right of course, some people are frightened of dogs and some people love them … Just common sense.
Regards,
Scott
Hi,
I always thought it was the regurgitating thing. My Aunt used to let her yappy terrier lick her face all over. I took great pleasure in telling her what the little scamp was actually after.
It’s all a matter of what you personally think. Some people like it, others don’t. I don’t usually mind, unless it’s the tongue of a big boxer dog. I don’t like the look of what he might’ve been licking.
Oh..p.s.
I hope Marko got back in his time machine and made it back to his home in 19th century Alabama.
Hi I have got two Newfoundlands and one of them always licks me and its like she’s excited. When I turn away she moves with me to carry on. The other one rarely licks and when she does its always two licks as though she doesn’t want to.
Hi
With reading all the previous comments then it has to be said that firstly Marks comments are becoming very rare these days in the Western World.
With this then dog owners should simply treat “dog licking” as simply a natural instinct with dogs and should be seen as a sign of affection and lets be honest if you are walking in a park and someones dog runs up and just licks you then its not really a problem as generally you would be a dog lover anyway so..
I have practiced as a vet for 15 years now and put forward that anyone who buys a dog and expects it not to lick you should consider buying a goldfish next time.
Or perhaps a stick insect!
Scott
I have a Stafforshire Bull Terrier and she licks me whenever she gets the chance, and to be honest, I don’t care to much as to why, it always puts a smile on my face no matter what.
It’s funny you mentioned regurgitation as I feed her with food from my mouth as a trick from time to time!
Hi,
I have a labrador, 6 years old. He is close to ideal IMO (stays for many hours alone, is not fat but requires little exercise, is playful etc). Now and then, he gets in a licking frenzy (aims at face) like going on licking for minutes even when I say enough. I don’t mind it, but wonder what it means. Seems to be related to me giving more attention to my kid and/or trying to attract attention when I don’t give enough. What do you think?
I have a black labrador now and wondered why she licks like mad. Thanks for the explanations on why dogs lick.
Something not addressed:
My Aussie will lick me any time I do something to her she does not like. Such as holding her paws when she jumps up or just holding a leg when she is too crazy in the living room. I also get licks for sitting in a comfortable chair with my hand over the side or if I stretch out on the floor she goes after my arms and hands.
She also has to constantly check her flock (three people and two cats) with nose bumps on a regular rotating basis. Sometimes the bump becomes a quick lick if bare skin is available. Contact is important for her. It sometimes gets out of control such as her habit of doing a 90 degree pivot at full speed into ones legs when out for a walk.
Aussie caution: Aussies are high maintenance dogs. They need lots of things to do and attention. If walking three miles a day is not for you an Aussie is not for you either. Ours gets 50 – 60 kilometers a week and after twenty kilometers in the mountains she needs a good 20 minutes to be up to full speed. Their coat needs constant brushing and it will still bankrupt you on vacuum cleaner bags.
Hi I have a 2 year old yorkie (he’s like my baby) he keeps licking and trys licking inside my ear and around my ear not so much of the face.
When he starts licking I try and move him and show him his toy I do want him to stop but don’t want to tell him off as he’s not being naughty or do anythin to change him when he licks it seems like he’s doin it to please me and I expect if I let him stay there licking he would be there for ages lol any ideas?
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BR
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BR
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BR
Replied via Email,
Thanks,
Scott