Ask Me Help Desk - Why Do Dogs Lick?

Why Do Dogs Lick?

Hi, All!

Okay. Maybe a silly question.

I love dogs! I don't have one because of what it takes to maintain them. I do have a cat, though.

However, when I house sit, I take care of three dogs.

I'm really quite "intimate" with them in that I lie down with them, use any one of them as a "pillow", etc. They're warm and cuddly in bed, although they can take up a lot of space!

I've been licked on my face, forehead, hands and legs.

Does someone know why they do that, please? Am I being checked out for being a possible snack; to make sure that I'm alive; just a way to be friends, etc.

Thanks!

Typically dogs lick to show affection within the pack. Puppies lick their moms mouth for her to throw up food...

My queen B pit will lick the inside of all my other dogs ears. I think that's a way of her showing affection but I'm not too sure...

I'm sure there are different types of licks for different situations. I think most is for acceptiance but due to domestication it could very well be a learned behavior.

I hope others have answers... I'm curious about this too!

Humans constantly sweat. Our sweat is salty. Dogs love the taste of our sweat. That's the not so "awww" answer.

In the wild grooming is a very important in a pack. Dogs rely on their pack mates to help them keep clean. A mother dog will regularly wash her babies, not only to keep them clean but to help them survive. When a puppy is born a mother dog will lick the bum to stimulate the puppy to poo. Licking can eliminate fleas and other bugs.

In other words, you're part of the pack. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky098

Typically dogs lick to show affection within the pack. Puppies lick their moms mouth for her to throw up food...

My queen B pit will lick the inside of all my other dogs ears. I think that's a way of her showing affection but I'm not too sure...

I'm sure there are different types of licks for different situations. I think most is for acceptiance but due to domestication it could very well be a learned behavior.

I hope others have answers... I'm curious about this too!

Great insight in your answer, Lucky098!

It's much appreciated!

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

Humans constantly sweat. Our sweat is salty. Dogs love the taste of our sweat. That's the not so "awww" answer.

In the wild grooming is a very important in a pack. Dogs rely on their pack mates to help them keep clean. A mother dog will regularly wash her babies, not only to keep them clean but to help them survive. When a puppy is born a mother dog will lick the bum to stimulate the puppy to poo. Licking can eliminate fleas and other bugs.

In other words, you're part of the pack. :)

I've heard the thing about sweat before...

Do you think that I'm being groomed to be a part of the pack?

At least they haven't licked my bum yet! :eek:

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

I've heard the thing about sweat before...

Do you think that I'm being groomed to be a part of the pack?

At least they haven't licked my bum yet! :eek:

Thanks!

You're not a newborn puppy Clough, I think your bum is safe. :p

That does remind me of when Jared was young. He had just started walking and we'd get him undressed for a bath and he'd run, naked, through the house.

Indy would chase him trying to pin him down so he could lick his bum. He only went for the bum and only when Jared was doing his pre-bath naked run. Maybe Indy thought Jared needed some help. ;)

I do think that they're licking you because they've included you in their pack. I've noticed that my dogs will lick us but not strangers, not until they know them well.

I wish I could just ask my dogs "why do you guys lick?" ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images...s/viewpost.gif
I've heard the thing about sweat before...

Do you think that I'm being groomed to be a part of the pack?

At least they haven't licked my bum yet! :eek:

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

You're not a newborn puppy Clough, I think your bum is safe. :p

That does remind me of when Jared was young. He had just started walking and we'd get him undressed for a bath and he'd run, naked, through the house.

Indy would chase him trying to pin him down so he could lick his bum. He only went for the bum and only when Jared was doing his pre-bath naked run. Maybe Indy thought Jared needed some help. ;)

I do think that they're licking you because they've included you in their pack. I've noticed that my dogs will lick us but not strangers, not until they know them well.

I wish I could just ask my dogs "why do you guys lick?" ;)

I get nuzzled and licked. It's quite the scene!

They do stop doing it once I tell them "No!", or "Stop it!"

I guess I'm just a pansy for this sort of thing, though...

Clough, I let my dogs lick me too. I usually put a stop to it when they start getting a bit too rough. My lab won't stop until you push him away and he'll lick so hard that you don't need to exfoliate your skin for weeks afterwards. ;)

Chewy (our beagle puppy) is a very gentle licker. He also doesn't spend hours licking you, like my lab would. Just a few soft licks and he's done.

Jasper, our border collie is a lot like Indy, he'll lick hard but he usually gets tired of it pretty quick.

When I put moisturizing cream on my legs they all come running! For some reason they really like the taste, it doesn't matter what brand I buy.

It kind of defeats the purpose of putting on the cream if they just lick it off. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

Clough, I let my dogs lick me too. I usually put a stop to it when they start getting a bit too rough. My lab won't stop until you push him away and he'll lick so hard that you don't need to exfoliate your skin for weeks afterwards. ;)

The yellow lab that I take care of won't stop! I have to avoid him regarding this! His name is Jake.

Chewy (our beagle puppy) is a very gentle licker. He also doesn't spend hours licking you, like my lab would. Just a few soft licks and he's done.

Emma is an English Setter. She'll just do it for a little while.

Jasper, our border collie is a lot like Indy, he'll lick hard but he usually gets tired of it pretty quick.

Princess is a Siberian Husky. I don't let her lick me at all. She's the leader of the pack, and I don't want to give her any ideas about being dominant over me.

When I put moisturizing cream on my legs they all come running! For some reason they really like the taste, it doesn't matter what brand I buy.

Yuck!

It kind of defeats the purpose of putting on the cream if they just lick it off. ;)

Too short for a post. So, I've added this statement here.

aww, they love you ^_^

Quote:

Originally Posted by hheath541

aww, they love you ^_^

They're great dogs, except when they poop or puke in the house! :eek:

I really hate cleaning up that stuff!

The same goes for any animal, and kids. Except fish, and maybe birds.

It's already been said but I'll say it again :D

They do it to be both affectionate and to groom you.

Mine will sit and lick my arm for ages, quite intently too... that is the grooming side.

Mine will also get all excited and lick my face quickly... that is the affectionate side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hheath541

the same goes for any animal, and kids. except fish, and maybe birds.

You got that right!

My dogs do the same thing with the lotion. They really like the girly smelly stuff lol.
I agree, I know thye like the taste of sweat, and for affection along with grooming. They probably think we are dirty because we don't constantly clean (lick) ourselves like they do! :)
Just a thought.
Clarence, one of my moms cats, loves, loves, loves to lick, he is also a blanket sucker. We think he is part Main Coon cat, he is a BIG boy! Not over weight, just... hearty! It really is funny to see him running through the house with his blankey. He will lick your arms and cheecks when you are sleeping, it really is creepy feeling that sand paper like toung run a ccross your cheek in the middle of the night!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

My dogs do the same thing with the lotion. They really like the girly smelly stuff lol.
I agree, I know thye like the taste of sweat, and for affection along with grooming. They probably think we are dirty becasue we don't constantly clean (lick) our selves like they do! :)
Just a thought.
Clarence, one of my moms cats, loves, loves, loves to lick, he is also a blanket sucker. We think he is part Main Coon cat, he is a BIG boy! Not over weight, just... hearty! It really is funny to see him running through the house with his blankey. He will lick your arms and cheecks when you are sleeping, it really is creepy feeling that sand paper like toung run a ccross your cheek in the middle of the night!

Licking me in my sleep would freek me out! I think that I would be striking out at whatever was doing it, it would be flying across the room!

Years ago, one of the cats that I had was biting my ear while I was asleep!

Bless her heart, but she took a flying leap by the aid of one of my hands!

Thanks!

This morning I woke up to Chewy licking my right foot. I was half asleep and somehow incorporated it into my dream.

I won't tell you what I was dreaming but suffice it to say that I was a bit disappointed when I woke up and realized it was Chewy and not Tom Cruise licking my foot. ;)

Oh, that was funny, Alty!

I loved it! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough

Oh, that was funny, Alty!

I loved it! :D

I can laugh about it now, but I was very disappointed this morning. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images...s/viewpost.gif
Oh, that was funny, Alty!

I loved it! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I can laugh about it now, but I was very disappointed this morning. ;)

I am sorry for your disappointment, but there's always another night, right?