What's with the licking?

Why Does My Dog Do That (Series)

You’ve got questions. We have the answers. by the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB Dogs exhibit all sorts of bewildering, funny, sometimes worrisome, quirky behaviors. Here are some of the most common and mysterious canine habits, and the reasons behind them.

WHY DOES MY DOG LICK ME?

All About Licking

As you might have noticed, dogs love to lick humans! Why all this licking? Well, the behavior is deeply ingrained in a dog. It’s visible early on, when puppies will lick each other as a way of interacting and of grooming each other. They sometimes lick their moms as a way of asking for some milk. Likewise, a mother will lick her puppy to show affection and to inspect her offspring.

When dogs are in packs, they will lick a dominant dog to ask for permission to eat communal food.

When he licks you, sometimes your dog wants something. That is his way of asking you, as his leader, for permission. Or, your canine may be showing affection.

Sometimes your dog just wants attention. At other times, he might lick you as a way of playing (instead of biting you, which is how he plays with other dogs). Some researchers say that licking is just another way that dogs explore their environments. One thing’s for sure: The more you respond positively to your dog’s licks, the more likely he is to lick you.

Licking is a normal act although if it becomes too frequent for you, contact us for a free consultation. Our team of professionals can determine the underlying cause, and we can create a customized plan to correct the behavior.

Dogs do things for many reasons. You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers. Perhaps the most fascinating dog behavior has to do with their relief habits. You asked and we answered! Read more here.


Learn more about Rocky Top K9

Are you looking for a dog trainer in Sevierville? Rocky Top K9 is a local dog training company in East Tennessee. We are local to Knoxville and we provide various types of training to dogs of all ages and abilities.

We train dogs and coach people to enrich the quality of life for both! Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

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