Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

8 Reasons Why Your Maltipoo Licks You So Much & How to Stop It

Woman being licked by a small white poodle

If your Maltipoo is a big licker and your face is often the target, you’ll likely either find it flattering or just plain baffling. It’s normal for dogs to lick, but what if your Maltipoo is doing it excessively? It could be that your Maltipoo simply thinks the world of you and wants you to know, but dogs sometimes lick their humans to communicate other feelings.

Let’s dive into the reasons your Maltipoo might be licking you so much and how to stop them from doing this if it’s not really your thing.Dogster divider_v2_NEW_MAY_24_

The 8 Reasons Why Your Maltipoo Licks You So Much

1. Affection

It’s quite common for dogs to lick you to let you know they love you or as a friendly greeting. If your Maltipoo is licking you an awful lot while wagging their tail, showing a “happy” or “smiley” expression, jumping up at you, or wiggling their body (signs of contentment in dogs), it might be because they’re just really excited to see you.

Your Maltipoo may also lick you when you pet them as a way of communicating that they’re happy to receive the attention and happy in your presence. Licking can also be a sign of submission and respect.

Maltipoo sitting on the grass
Image By: 350543, Pixabay

2. Taste

Since dogs have such a powerful sense of smell—more specifically, between 10,000 and 100,000 times better than a human’s—your Maltipoo might be licking you like crazy because you’ve just eaten something tasty, and they can smell food on your face and hands.

According to Dr. Mary Burch (animal behaviorist), dogs may also lick you after exercise because sweating causes the skin to become salty.


3. Instinct

Experts have explained that puppies lick their mother’s lips to get them to regurgitate food that they can then consume themselves1. So, as gross as it sounds, if your dog is licking your face, it’s possible that they’re trying to get you to do the same!

owner holding his cute little maltipoo
Image Credit: OlgaOvcharenko, Shutterstock

4. Curiosity

It’s normal for dogs to lick things out of curiosity as a means of understanding more about the animal, person, or object. If your Maltipoo licks you a lot, it might be that they’re trying to get information about you to get to know you better—it’s a form of exploration.


5. Attention-Seeking

If your Maltipoo is due a feed or a nice, long walk in the park, they may lick you to nudge you into action. They may also just want to play or are asking you to pet or cuddle them.

Little maltipoo holding a stick
Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock

6. Stress

Dogs sometimes lick excessively when they’re feeling stressed, anxious, or bored—it’s a way for them to release their pent-up energy and/or seek comfort from you.

Other symptoms of canine anxiety to watch out for include going to the bathroom inside the house, destructive behavior, restlessness, drooling, panting, barking or vocalizing excessively, and compulsive behaviors among other things.

In some cases, dogs with anxiety can become compulsive lickers—this is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.


7. Discomfort

It’s possible that if your dog is stressed out due to a health issue or injury that’s causing them pain or discomfort, they might lick you as a way of seeking comfort and/or signal to you that there’s a problem. The easiest thing you can do in this case is to get in touch with a vet and seek their advice.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1


8. Empathy

Dogs are very in tune with our emotions and may lick you as a way of empathizing with you or comforting you when you’re sad. One study asked participants to pretend to cry to gauge dogs’ responses.

It was found that dogs are more likely to nuzzle and lick people who are crying than they are people who are humming or talking. The study did note, however, that this might simply be learned behavior.

How To Stop Your Maltipoo from Licking You

We all love our dogs, but for some people, receiving love in the form of big slobbery licks just isn’t their cup of tea. If this sounds like you, here are some things you can try to stop the licking.

  • If the excessive licking has started suddenly and out of nowhere, you might want to take your Maltipoo to the vet to rule out underlying health conditions.
  • If you suspect the licking is a result of boredom, make sure your Maltipoo is exercised and mentally stimulated enough during the day.
  • Distract your Maltipoo with a mentally stimulating toy when they try to lick you.
  • Be consistent—it’s better to not let your Maltipoo lick you at all rather than to let them lick you only sometimes as this can cause confusion.
  • Walk away when they start to lick you. Avoid overreacting—simply get up and move away to show your Maltipoo that you won’t reward the licking with any kind of attention.
  • Encourage calm behavior by rewarding your Maltipoo when they’re relaxed.

Dogster divider_v2_NEW_MAY_24_

 

Conclusion

In short, dogs lick to communicate emotions and send signals to their owners. Your Maltipoo could be licking you as a means of showing affection, excitement, contentment, or respect, but they could also be licking you to signal that they’re not feeling well or are bored, stressed, or anxious.

If you’re concerned about your Maltipoo’s excessive licking or are having trouble getting them to stop, please consult your vet for advice.


Featured Image Credit: Olga Moreira, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

How to Stop Diarrhea in Dogs: 5 Vet-Reviewed Tips

A dog having diarrhea is not a fun experience for anyone. In addition to the mess it can leave around your home and...

10 Awesome Off-Leash Dog Parks in & Near Buffalo, NY (2025 Update)

Almost nothing is more satisfying for a dog owner than watching their dog playing and socializing with friendly dogs and running around at...

Can Dogs Eat Sardines? Vet-Verified Nutrition, Types & Preparation

Sardines or pilchards are a type of oily fish used for bait purposes or served as food. They are noticeably rich in healthy...

Ziwi Peak Dog Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Introduction When it comes to commercial dog food, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find something better than Ziwi Peak. It...

More related

7 DIY Dog Bath Tubs You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Washing your dog at home instead of taking them to the groomer every time they need a bath can save time and money!...

Formentino Cane Corso: Info, Pictures, Origin & History

The formentino Cane Corso is a color pattern of the Cane Corso breed. They grow to be between 22.8 and 26 inches in...

Cavapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle: Differences Explained (With Pictures)

Cavapoos and Mini Goldendoodles are two different hybrid dog breeds that are bred with Poodles. They’re both popular breeds because they tend to...

How to Teach a Dog to Shake In 10 Steps

Dogs are intelligent and almost always excited to interact with their owners, so what better way to play with your dog than to...

Keep reading

11 Best Holistic Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Our pets are part of the family, so it makes sense that we want to feed them the very best. In the past, commercial dog food options were limited and contained a lot of fillers, preservatives, and unhealthy ingredients. Now,...

beagle dog eating from bowl

10 Best Organic Dog Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

There are currently no rules that manufacturers need to follow when calling a dog food natural or organic. As such, you need to check the ingredients and sources yourself to ensure that what you’re buying is natural. Furthermore, you have...

labradoodle puppy with dog bowl

Can Dogs Have Snow Cones? Vet-Approved Health & Nutrition Facts

Few treats are better for cooling us down on a hot summer day than a crisp, flavorful snow cone. As the furriest members of the family, our dogs can often use the relief from the heat more than anyone. There...

Snow Cone in a bowl

Is Lamb Dog Food Good for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Benefits & FAQ

There are a host of dog foods out there to choose from when it comes to feeding your dog and many different meat options available to tempt your pet’s palate. While a good majority of dog foods will contain chicken,...

dachshund dog eating from elevated bowl

Is Salmon Dog Food Good for Dogs? Uses, Benefits & Considerations

Protein is the single most essential element in dog food, so how do you pick the right one? With options like chicken, fish, beef, and salmon in dog food recipes, it is important to know their characteristics and what to...

dog wanting to eat salmon

10 Best Dog Foods for Bichon Frises in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

There are a few things to consider when looking at reviews for the best dog food for Bichon Frises. Keep in mind that a few of these options include ingredients for specific diets that are not required unless specified by...

Bichon eating

Pedialyte for Dogs: Is It Safe? Vet-Approved Health & Safety Guide

The most common way to treat dehydration in children and adults is with Pedialyte. It’s an over-the-counter, drinkable electrolyte solution that replaces electrolytes and minerals lost by dehydration. In small quantities, unflavored Pedialyte is safe for most dogs, but it’s...

electrolyte beverage in bottles

9 Best Automatic Dog Feeders in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Automatic feeders are an excellent option for dog owners. They allow your dog to get meals at routine intervals throughout the day and night, even if you’re not home. They are a great option if you have an unusual schedule...

dog automatic feeder