Have you ever wondered, why do dogs lick your face? Many dog parents think that their canine friends are just trying to show that they love them. But whether your furry friend is expressing their affection or it’s something else? And what can you do to control your dog licking if he is doing it excessively? In this guide, we will try to answer these questions by analyzing why dogs lick and offer some solutions to stop your dog from licking you. So, let’s get started.
Reasons Why Do Dogs Lick Your Face
Dogs are intelligent animals and understand their owner’s emotions. Therefore, they will try to make you feel happy whenever they notice that you feel sad or angry. Also, they are very intuitive and love to show their affection by licking your face, so you can’t blame them for it! But there are some other reasons why dogs lick your face, and here are a few of those:
Attention-Seeking
Dogs are inherently social animals, craving interaction and companionship from their human counterparts. So, when your dog energetically licks your face, it could be a signal that they’re seeking your attention. It could be an invitation to play, a plea for some tasty treats, or a call to break their boredom. When your furry friend feels alone or lacks stimulation, face licking is an effective way to get your undivided attention.
Showing Affection
Canine behavior is brimming with physical expressions of love and loyalty. When your dog licks your face as you shower them with affectionate touches or words, it’s their reciprocation of the love they perceive. They’ve learned that licking is a well-received action and they engage in it to bond with you, much like how humans hug or hold hands.
Releasing Canine Emotions
Emotionally intelligent, dogs are quite attuned to their owner’s feelings. When you’re down, your dog may mimic your sadness and seek to comfort you. Face licking is their way of demonstrating empathy and trying to lift your spirits. This behavior isn’t just a physical action; it’s a shared emotional experience.
Nervous Behavior
For some dogs, face licking can be a manifestation of nervousness or anxiety. It’s their way of self-soothing and dealing with the unease they’re feeling. If your dog is excessively and persistently licking you, it could be their way of expressing their anxiety and searching for comfort and reassurance from you.
Expressing Hunger
When your dog is feeling peckish, they might resort to face licking to communicate their hunger to you. These smart creatures quickly learn what actions grab their owner’s attention. So, if it’s mealtime or if they’re just craving a snack, a lick on your face or a bark could be their way of saying, “Hey, I’m hungry!”.
How Can You Stop Your Dog From Licking You?
Different breeds, genetic predispositions, and individual personalities influence why dogs lick. Also, there are many other reasons why dogs decide to lick their owner’s face excessively. While some owners think this is normal behavior because they are very happy to see them, others believe it depends on what type of food they give their dogs.
However, there are many reasons why your dog licks you, and it’s not always because they love you unconditionally. Try to analyze which of the above behaviors your furry friend does when he sees you and the reason. By finding out why your dog is licking your face, you can take measures to stop this behavior.
If your dog is licking you because he wants to comfort you, this is a good way to show him that there are other ways for you to feel better and make him stop doing it. Some people like it when their dogs lick them because they want some affection, while others might think this is weird and disgusting and would like to stop it.
If your dog licks you because he wants attention, the best way is to give him what he wants as soon as possible and then try to take control of the situation. Also, you might need some training to stop your dog from licking you excessively if this is caused by some nervous behavior or anxiousness. The best way to stop your dog from licking you is by training it and teaching it not to do that anymore.
Is Dog Face Licking a Health Risk?
You might be concerned about the dog licking your face because you are afraid of diseases that your furry friend can transmit to you. However, there is only one disease that dogs can transmit via their saliva, called brucellosis. This very rare infection does not cause serious health problems; it’s more like an inconvenience.
This disease is transmitted through licking, so if your dog licks you constantly and excessively, it’s best to check with your doctor to see if he needs some shots. Also, there is a very small chance that dogs can transmit rabies through licking because this infection is usually transmitted through biting.
What If You’re Not a Fan of Dog Face Licking?
If you do not like when your dog licks you because the hair goes all over your face, there are several ways to teach your furry friend not to do it anymore. First of all, try to keep him away from your face so that he cannot reach it. After this, use some tricks to make him stop licking you as much as he can.
For example, if your dog licks your face because his saliva makes you feel better, which calms him down, try to take a bowl with cold water and barley or tea and put it near the place where he usually licks you. Then, please give him a treat and apply it on the face instead of giving it directly to your dog. This way, he will learn that there are other ways to feel good and comforted.
Also, it’s important to be patient because you might need some time until your dog stops licking you excessively. Keep training him every day and make sure that the behavior does not stay, or your dog will think it’s the right thing to do.
Last but not least, some dogs lick people because they are very happy to see them. Also, this is their way of showing how much they care about you. If this sounds like the case with your furry friend, just let him do it until he is tired.
FAQs:
Is it safe to allow my dog to lick my face?
While it’s generally safe, it’s best to avoid letting a dog lick near your mouth, eyes, or any open sores due to the bacteria they may carry in their mouths.
Why does my dog constantly lick my face?
Your dog might be engaging in excessive licking due to nervousness, hunger, or simply as a method of gaining your attention. If it becomes bothersome, training or behavior modification may be necessary.
Do all dogs lick faces?
While many dogs engage in this behavior, not all do. It can depend on the dog’s individual personality, their breed, and their upbringing.
What can I do if my dog’s licking becomes excessive?
If you believe your dog’s licking is excessive, it could indicate anxiety or a medical issue. Consulting a vet or a professional dog trainer could provide insights into the behavior and potential solutions.
Why does my dog only lick certain people’s faces?
Dogs can be selective about whose face they lick based on their comfort level, the person’s reactions, or even the person’s scent.
How can I teach my dog not to lick faces?
Training commands such as “No lick” or “Enough” can be effective. Providing alternatives like toys, or redirecting their attention can also help.
Is face licking a dominant behavior in dogs?
Contrary to some beliefs, face licking in dogs is usually a submissive behavior, showing affection or appeasement, not dominance.
My dog licks my face when I’m crying, why is that?
Dogs are empathetic creatures and they can sense when you’re upset. They may lick your face in an attempt to comfort you.
Why does my dog lick my face first thing in the morning?
Your dog might lick your face in the morning out of excitement to start the day, or as a way of saying “good morning” and seeking attention.
Does face licking mean my dog sees me as part of their pack?
Dogs are pack animals, and face licking can indeed be a sign that your dog views you as a member of their family or pack.
Final Thoughts
Well, we have discussed several reasons why your dog licks you. Well, if they lick you just because this makes them feel better to show you their unconditional love, then that’s a different story. However, if they lick excessively, you should find out the reason for this behavior and control it.
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