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What鈥檚 better than coming home to a kiss from a happy dog? Most dog owners interpret the reason why dogs lick their owners as a sign of affection. But is this really why your dog is licking you? And what can you do if your dog鈥檚 licking behavior is out of control?
Is Licking a Dog鈥檚 Way of Kissing?
The jury is out on what a dog鈥檚 licking actually means. Believe it or not, what people interpret as affection might, in fact, be your dog encouraging you to throw up what you ate for lunch for them.
鈥淩esearchers of wild canids 鈥� wolves, coyotes, foxes, and other wild dogs 鈥� report that puppies lick the face and muzzle of their mother when she returns from a hunt to her den 鈥� in order to get her to regurgitate for them,鈥� notes Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, head of the .
Similarly, your dog could simply think that you taste nice. Certified applied animal behaviorist Dr. Mary Burch points out that humans have slightly salty skin, especially after sweating during exercise. Therefore, those licks might be more about seeking salt than giving affection. Horowitz adds that if your dog likes to lick your face, it will often happen after you鈥檝e finished a delicious meal.
But, there is also evidence that licking is sometimes a sign of affection. Horowitz points out that, although it started as a food-seeking behavior, licking has now become a ritualized greeting for many dogs. Some wild species in the dog family will lick pack members just to welcome them home. So, those daily slobbers really might just be a sign that your dog is happy to see you.
鈥淟icking can be a sign of affection,鈥� explains Burch. 鈥淚t might also give a dog a feeling of security and comfort, just as the dog had when licked by its mother in the litter.鈥�
When Does a Dog鈥檚 Licking Become a Problem?
Most licking is harmless, even welcome as a form of self-expression on the dog鈥檚 part. Burch notes that there鈥檚 no need to worry that it鈥檚 a form of domination 鈥� in fact, it鈥檚 quite the opposite.
鈥淥ne theory is the licking is a sign of submission,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he idea is that dogs who are submissive will lick a more dominant member of the pack.鈥�
Even so, there are some scenarios when you might want to head off a slobber-fest from your pup. The first relates to human comfort, that is, some people simply don鈥檛 like being licked by a dog. If you have a friend who dislikes being licked by dogs, it鈥檚 kinder to dog and friend alike to redirect the behavior.
But sometimes licking is a symptom of a more serious problem. If your dog is licking themselves, you, or objects excessively, to the point that it seems like a self-stimulatory behavior, this might be a sign of anxiety, boredom, or pain. Obsessive self-licking can also be a sign of allergies or other health problems.
What Can Dog Owners Do About Problem Licking?
If your dog is self-licking excessively, start by having your veterinarian check them out and address any medical problems or discomfort. Once you鈥檝e ruled out medical explanations, you can turn to behavioral solutions.
鈥淥ne idea is to redirect your dog,鈥� says Burch. 鈥淲hen they lick, switch up the activity. A good option is to choose a behavior that is incompatible with licking, such as using an to get a treat. You can also have the dog engage in other behaviors such as ball play or trick training.鈥�
By repeating this redirect, you鈥檒l gradually reinforce the lesson that you don鈥檛 want your dog to lick, without ever using negative reinforcement.
are specifically designed to tap into a dog鈥檚 enjoyment of licking in a positive (and non-destructive or irritating) way. Smear some or plain yogurt on a lick mat鈥攐r even serve your dog their meals on a 鈥攖o help satisfy their urge to lick.
Trick training, in particular, is a good way to turn a repeated undesirable behavior into an opportunity for positive reinforcement. Start by simply having the dog sit, which might stop the licking on its own, then .
Next, why not harness your dog鈥檚 affection by teaching them to give you a hug? Or to speak on cue? Other could include sitting up, army crawling, or leg weaving. If you and your dog find you really enjoy trick training, you could even look into AKC Trick Dog trials. If your dog鈥檚 excessive licking behavior was caused by boredom, getting involved in practicing for Tricks titles will do the, well, trick!
Whether or not you dive into trick training, always make sure that your affectionate, lick-happy dog gets plenty of attention and exercise. Excess energy can lead to over-licking or other, more destructive behaviors.
Need some help training your dog? While you may not be able to attend in-person training classes during COVID-19, we are here to help you virtually through AKC GoodDog! Helpline. This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from behavioral issues to CGC prep to getting started in dog sports.