The Sloppy Truth: Why Dogs Love Licking Faces

A dog licking a person's face can be sweet, funny, or decidedly unpleasant, depending on the timing and the recipient. It is also one of those everyday dog behaviors that can leave people wondering what is actually going on.

Dogs use their mouths to explore and communicate with the world around them, so a face lick can have several different meanings. Sometimes it is a social gesture. Other times, a dog may simply like the taste or be looking for attention.

Understanding the reason behind the behavior can make those enthusiastic kisses a little easier to interpret.

It Can Be A Sign Of Affection

One of the simplest explanations is that dogs lick people because they enjoy being close to them.

Licking can be part of normal social behavior for dogs, so they may use it when interacting with someone they feel comfortable around. That does not necessarily mean every lick is a deliberate declaration of love, but it can be part of a dog's way of showing friendliness and connection.

Some dogs are simply more enthusiastic about this than others.

Dogs May Be Looking For Attention

A face lick can also be a very effective way for a dog to get a reaction.

If licking someone's face consistently results in talking, petting, laughter, or even being gently pushed away, the dog has still received attention. Over time, a dog can learn that licking is a reliable way to get a person's focus.

That can make the behavior particularly persistent. What starts as an occasional lick can become a regular habit if the dog discovers that it works.

Sometimes It Is About The Taste

Human skin can taste interesting to dogs, particularly after someone has been eating, sweating, or using something on their skin that has an appealing smell or taste.

Dogs experience the world heavily through their senses, and their mouths are one way they investigate things. A dog that seems especially interested in licking a person's face may simply find something about the skin appealing.

It is not necessarily a complicated message. Sometimes a face just tastes interesting.

Licking Can Be A Way To Communicate

Dogs communicate in plenty of ways that humans do not always recognize, and licking can be part of that communication.

A dog may lick a person as a friendly gesture or as a way of interacting during a social moment. The rest of the dog's body language can provide clues about what is happening.

A relaxed dog that approaches willingly and seems comfortable is likely having a very different interaction from a dog that is tense, nervous, or trying to avoid a situation.

Looking at the entire behavior rather than focusing on the licking alone can make the meaning easier to understand.

Some Dogs Have Learned That People Like It

Dogs are remarkably good at noticing what gets a reaction from the humans around them.

If a dog licks someone's face and receives affection in return, they will remember that interaction. That can encourage the behavior to happen again, particularly when the dog is looking for attention.

This can also explain why some dogs seem determined to keep licking even after being told to stop. From the dog's perspective, the behavior may have worked many times before.

Not Everyone Wants A Dog Kiss

It’s one thing to allow a dog to lick a person's face if everyone involved is comfortable with the arrangement, but it is also perfectly reasonable not to enjoy this type of interaction.

Not only can being licked by a dog feel unpleasant to many people, but there is also the risk of spreading certain parasites and diseases, and the uncomfortable question of “what were they licking before they licked you?”

Dogs can be redirected toward another activity if face licking becomes excessive. Offering a toy, asking for another behavior, or simply moving away can help prevent licking from becoming the dog's default way of getting attention. 

Laughing, pushing them away, or squealing are likely to be interpreted as positive reactions to a dog, and you’re much more likely to make the right impression by simply standing up and walking away.

It is also worth paying attention to the circumstances. If a dog suddenly starts licking much more than usual or the behavior comes with other unusual changes, that is different from a dog that has always been an enthusiastic licker, and you should look for other physical and behavioral clues.

So Why Do Dogs Lick Faces?

There is rarely just one answer.

A dog may lick a face because it is being friendly, looking for attention, enjoying the taste, or simply interacting in a way that has become familiar. The behavior can mean different things depending on the dog and the situation.

That is part of what makes dog behavior so interesting. A lick that looks like a simple gesture can be the result of several different motivations from the dog's point of view.

And for dogs that have discovered that face licking gets an immediate reaction, there may be an even simpler explanation: it works.

Featured Image Credit: Jennay Hitesman, Shutterstock

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