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Why Do Dogs Lick Your Face? Spoiler: It’s Not Just About Love

Dog Mamas News & Training by Dog Mamas News & Training
June 27, 2025
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You lean down and, earlier than you realize it, your canine’s tongue is throughout your face. Sound acquainted? Whether or not it’s a fast lick or a full-on slobber session, many house owners marvel: why do canines lick your face? Let’s check out what’s behind this curious (and generally smelly) conduct.

Why Do Canines Lick Our Faces?

What does it imply when a canine licks your face? We could not know for certain, however most consultants agree that canines lick our faces for varied causes. Generally, licking isn’t one thing to fret about until it turns into extreme or bothers you.

However right here’s the factor. Understanding why your canine licks your face can change the way you view it. For example, that shock face lick would possibly really feel much less annoying if you understand it’s your canine’s quirky method of claiming, “Hey, you matter to me.”

1. It’s Their Approach Of Exhibiting Affection

Probably the most obvious purpose? Canines don’t use phrases to specific love, however licking is likely one of the methods they bond with you. It’s a conduct rooted in how puppies work together with their mom and littermates. Once you arrive dwelling, a mild lick or kiss might be your canine’s method of claiming, “I like you.”

2. Instinctual Conduct

Younger puppies typically lick their mom’s muzzle to ask for meals. They carry this behavior into interactions with folks, who normally reply with affection, consideration, or play. Over time, puppies study that licking human faces brings constructive responses, reinforcing the conduct.

3. Typically, They Simply Need Your Consideration

Not all face-licking is about affection or intuition. Typically, your canine is simply attempting to get seen. When you’re busy working, watching TV, or scrolling in your telephone, a well-placed lick can snap you proper again into canine mode of their minds.

What begins as a easy nudge for connection can rapidly grow to be a go-to tactic. Canines are clever: if licking will get a response — even in the event you say “no” or gently push them away — they study that it really works. To your canine, any response is healthier than being ignored.

If this sounds acquainted, your pup could be bored, just a little lonely, or simply craving interplay. Take into account redirecting that vitality with a fast stroll, a play session, or a toy to maintain their mind and paws busy.

See our opinions of the very best interactive canine toys and mind video games for canines to maintain your pup mentally and bodily stimulated.

4. Gathering Info

As you realize, our furry buddies aren’t finicky about what they lick, and for good purpose. Your canine’s senses of odor and style are extremely refined. They use their noses and mouths as a option to discover their world and collect details about their atmosphere.

5. You Style Good

Did you eat bacon this morning? Or possibly you’re just a bit salty out of your exercise on the fitness center. Canines have highly effective noses and style buds that choose up on all kinds of fascinating scents and flavors in your pores and skin. Consider it as your face changing into a shock taste of the day.

6. Stress Reduction

Licking can truly assist canines soothe themselves. In case your canine is feeling anxious or overstimulated, licking your face could be their method of calming down. Consider it like a doggie model of a fidget toy or aromatherapy.

When Extreme Licking Is A Downside

Whereas occasional licking is regular, fixed licking of you, themselves, or random surfaces generally is a signal of serious nervousness or perhaps a compulsive dysfunction. If the licking appears extreme or disruptive, speak to your vet. They could refer you to an animal behaviorist or recommend anti-anxiety treatment as a part of a broader coaching plan.

Our Private Expertise

My canine Tiny isn’t a mega face-licker. He prefers the legs and ft for some purpose (who is aware of?!). So, I requested my Canine Journal group about their pups. Right here’s one who goes all in!

My canine Falkor, a Poodle-Beagle combine, acts like I’m the middle of his universe. The second I stroll by way of the door, he’s already vibrating with pleasure. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been gone for hours or simply stepped outdoors to seize the mail. His enthusiasm is Olympic-level. His tail wags so exhausting I’m certain he’s one spin away from liftoff.

As quickly as I free him from his crate, Falkor transforms right into a licking machine. Often, it’s a candy, mild “hi there.” However generally, he will get carried away, like he’s attempting to exfoliate my face along with his tongue. I’ve had moments the place I’ve needed to gently remind him, “Falkor, I would like an oxygen masks, buddy!” Nonetheless, it’s unimaginable to be mad at him when he seems so pleased with his handiwork.

These slobbery kisses? They soften my coronary heart each time. Certain, I’ve invested in canine toothpaste and toothbrushes as a result of, let’s face it, nobody desires smelly breath on their cheeks. However even with all of the mess and the occasional overzealous licks, I wouldn’t commerce these moments of pure, unfiltered love for something on this planet.

– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Canine Mother & Canine Journal Author

Is It Protected To Let Your Canine Lick Your Face?

Generally, it’s nothing to fret about. Nonetheless, your well being, your canine’s well being, and the place precisely that tongue is touchdown generally is a concern.

Whereas many individuals enable face-licking with out a second thought, there are some things value contemplating earlier than you let these slobbery smooches proceed.

To play it protected, you might need to wash your face or use antibacterial gel or spray to wash the world after your canine licks you.

1. Canines’ Mouths Comprise Probably Dangerous Germs

Canine saliva isn’t sterile. Actually, it will possibly include micro organism (like Capnocytophaga), which might be handed to people (though that’s uncommon). Whereas most wholesome folks received’t get sick from a lick, there’s a threat, particularly if:

You’ve gotten an open wound or scratch the place they lick

Your immune system is weakened (resulting from age, sickness, or treatment)

Your canine has poor dental hygiene or an untreated tooth an infection

2. Keep away from Mucous Membranes

In case your canine’s tongue is heading to your mouth, nostril, or eyes, it’s greatest to redirect. These areas are extra weak to an infection, and sure micro organism can enter the bloodstream by way of even tiny breaks within the pores and skin or mucosa.

3. Parasites Are Additionally A Concern

In case your canine often licks or eats issues outdoors like rubbish, animal feces, or useless critters — or in case your pup licks their very own butt — they might carry parasites akin to giardia or hookworms. Whereas transmission to people from licking is rare, it’s not unimaginable.

How To Cease Undesirable Licking: 6 Ideas

Though there’s a minimal well being threat, not everyone seems to be a fan of getting a canine’s tongue throughout their face. In case your canine is just too aggressive with licking otherwise you merely can’t stand the slobber in your face, there are some methods you’ll be able to deter this conduct.

Small dog trying to lick a woman's face with her head turned away.
Picture by vladimirfloyd on Adobe Inventory

The following tips may make it easier to preserve your pup from licking different folks’s faces.

1. Don’t React

Keep away from reacting with laughter, petting, or scolding. Any response can reinforce the conduct. As a substitute, keep impartial or gently flip your head away.

2. Ignore, Then Reward

In case your canine licks and also you flip away or rise up with out a phrase, they’ll finally affiliate licking with being ignored. After they stay calm and preserve their tongue to themselves, provide reward or a small deal with.

3. Educate A Clear Command

Use a cue like “No kisses” or “Sufficient” every time they begin licking. Be constant together with your wording and tone.

4. Redirect the Conduct

Supply another after they go in for a lick, like a chew toy, a treat-dispensing puzzle, or perhaps a sit command adopted by a reward.

5. Create Boundaries

If the licking occurs most frequently at sure occasions, like if you’re mendacity down, educate your canine to settle in a selected spot or on their mattress as an alternative of being in your face.

Over time, your canine will start to know that licking isn’t the sort of conduct you need.

Want Assist Coaching?

Not sure prepare your canine to know and reply to cues or instructions? Learn our information on obedience coaching to brush up on fundamental abilities. You might also need to contemplate an internet canine coaching course, which is a simple, inexpensive various to hiring a private coach.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Do you continue to have questions? Listed here are some we get typically about canine licking. When you don’t see yours right here, please ask us in our feedback.

What Does It Imply When A Pet Licks Your Face?

The canine licking face meanings above are basically the identical for puppies, besides they could do it extra typically. Keep in mind, puppies possible nonetheless retain the intuition to lick their mom or littermates for a while after leaving their furry household.

Why Do Canines Lick Your Face When You Cry?

Canines are extremely delicate to human feelings. Once you cry, your canine could choose up in your misery by way of your tone, physique language, and even scent modifications.

Licking your face might be their method of providing consolation, displaying empathy, or attempting to appease you—just like how they could consolation a pack member in misery.

An easier purpose is that our tears are salty, and canines just like the style.

Why Do Canines Lick Your Face When You Sleep?

Canines could lick your face when you sleep for a number of causes:

Attempting to wake you up

Looking for consideration (particularly in the event that they’re prepared for breakfast)

Exhibiting affection

Responding to smells in your pores and skin

It can be a realized conduct. When you’ve reacted to it earlier than, they could preserve doing it to get a response.

Extra Canine Conduct Defined

Our canine companions have many endearing, amusing, and generally, annoying behaviors. Nonetheless, understanding why they do what they do helps construct a stronger bond between you and your furry buddy. For starters, learn our articles about why canines lick the ground and why canines sniff crotches.



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