Why do dogs lick your face? Well, no one knows for sure. Sadly, we can’t understand dog language. Maybe it thinks you are tasty or just showing affection, but we can not be sure. Though let’s be honest, we all love it when our dogs do that. Today, we are here to bring you some of the reasons why your dog might be licking your face. Let us begin and find out why do dogs lick your face!
Why Does My Dog Lick My Face
Dogs lick us all the time for many reasons. Dogs can not talk, so they express their feelings and emotions through their actions and behavior, and licking is one of them.
Here are some of the reasons why dogs lick your face:
1. A Sign Of Affection
Dogs might lick your face out of affection. It is their way of showing love. When a dog licks your face it is an indication that they love and respect you. It is a sign of a non-threatening and friendly approach and it shows that your dog trusts you. When your dog licks your face you should give it positive feedback which will strengthen your connection but if it licks too much then you might want to take a step back and make it stop but be sure not to be too harsh!
2. A Way Of Attention-seeking Behavior
Dogs usually lick their owners to gain their attention. It might just want you to play with it or maybe it wants you to feed it or maybe it wants you to respond to something else. It is akin to us tapping someone to call for their attention. Dogs are attention seekers and they will do anything to get the attention of their owners. So if you keep giving it positive responses after licking your dog will take it as good feedback and continue licking you every time. Many dog owners often ask “Why do dogs lick you”. And here is the answer to that. Click here to learn more!
3. The Salty Taste
Our face is full of scents and tastes that might be appealing to your dogs. Human sweat has salt in it which attracts many dogs. So your dog might find it tasty to lick your face. Sometimes after eating our face has some food particles stuck on it, and your dog might lick you in an attempt to take them off. It is usually a harmless thing but you should avoid letting it lick too much.
4. A Kiss To Dismiss
The term was coined by Jennifer Shryock, who noticed that dogs would often lick children and other dogs as a subtle message to establish boundaries and request distance. If your dog licks you forcefully while pushing its head forward and tucking its tail, it might be a sign that you are too close and they need some more personal space so you better back off intruder!
5. A Sign Of Stress And Anxiety
Dogs suffering from anxiety might lick other things including your face as a way of stress relief. Licking releases endorphin in dogs which leads to them being more at peace. If your dog is in a similar situation we recommend buying a dog licking mat.
Should I Let My Dog Lick My Face?
It depends on whether you like it or not. Your dog licking your face is usually a harmless act of love and affection so you should let your dog do it unless you find it irritating or have an open wound or applied medication.
Can Dog Licking Your Face Be Bad?
Dogs can safely lick you on the face unless you have:
- An open wound
- Applied certain medication
- Used cream or lotions on your face
You should also avoid letting it lick on your mouth and lips as dogs carry nasty bacteria and they can be passed on to humans. Always wash your face afterwards to ensure non of these bacteria find their way inside your mouth. Moreover, dogs licking you on your mouth is simply gross as dogs lick almost everything they find even poop.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Licking My Face?
If your dog is too obsessed with licking your face and you find it irritating, the best course of action is to make it stop. To stop your dog from licking your face here is what you can do:
1. Dont Let It Lick You:
Simply push it back or remove your face. This is the simplest way of making your dog stop licking. If you continue to allow your dog to lick your face it will take it as a sign of approval and positive attention and will continue to do it so it is best to stop it and move away.
2. Make It Lick Somewhere Else:
If you don’t want to be licked on the face then offer your hand or arm. This way your dog will get distracted and won’t lick your face. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards to avoid any bacterial contamination. Dogs sometimes also lick your feet as it is the most approachable for them. If you are wondering why does my dog lick my feet? Then click here to learn more!
3. Offer A Toy, Treat, Or Invest In A Licking Mat:
Distracting your dog by offering it a treat or a toy is a great way to make it stop licking your face. This way your dog will engage in other activities and forget all about licking. You can also buy a licking mat for your dog and have them lick it instead. Licking mats can also be used as food bowls for liquidy dog food.
4. Behavioral Training:
If your dog is still obsessively licking your face after everything you should get help from a professional. Dog training can be very affection. A dog behavioral specialist can train your dog not to lick your face by using the commands such as “No” or “Stop”. This can also help if your dog is obsessed with licking its paws. To learn more about why do dogs lick their paws click here right now!
Conclusion
Here is everything about why do dogs lick your face. We hope you found this article helpful. Dog licking is equally as wholesome as gross and it depends on how you look at it. If it is our furry friend’s way of showing love then we should receive it with open arms! At least that is what we at Petlyx believe!
For any future help always visit Petlyx Where Love Meets Care!
