Why Do Dogs Lick People?

It's friendly. Some people call it kissing. They are showing that they accept you. In the nest, when the dog was a puppy, there was lots of licking and grooming going on. His mother licked him when he was a pup to make sure he was breathing and doing alright and, in doing so, taught him to lick those he is close to or wants to give affection. It's all a part of how a dog bonds with other dogs and with people that they like, including you, your mate and your friends and family.

They just love you all that much!

This is how a dog shows he's being friendly. He goes up to your friends and licks them too, so that he doesn't appear as a threat to them and so they won't attack him. It is the same thing dogs do with each other when they are family, with other dogs that help them out growing up and all that.

They truly are appreciative and friendly.

Dogs are very sensitive to scents and smelling scents is how they gather information. Their noses and mouths are very sensitive and have receptor cells that can read pheromones that are in your sweat, on your ears, lips and forehead.

Your body releases pheromones from your body hair, chest and, yes, your face and upper lip. Your apocrine gland releases them from your ears and your Eccrine glands (sweat glands) release them from your forehead and there is salt in these secretions--which makes your dog want to lick you even more so because he likes the taste of your salty, sweaty skin. Glands near your hair folicles, called Sebaceous glands, release sebum; this substance combined with your sweat contains information about your mood; whether you're happy, stressed or frightened. The dog licks you, takes that information being secreted from your body up into his mouth and it goes to his vomeronasal organ which allows him to read what's going on with you.

And he's wise to what you're up to, so watch out!

When your dog licks you, the act releases endorphins which makes him feel good. Not only does he like the taste of your salty, sweaty, pheromone-covered skin, and he enjoys your company and giving you attention and doing things with you and getting your attention--but he seems to get a natural high off of licking you too.

So, it's safe to say that your dog--or your friend's dog or some strange dog or a family member's dog-- licking you is a friendly gesture. They are showing affection, being loving, showing they are friendly, trying to learn about you and it's their way of just being part of the family. They've been doing it since they were a puppy and you are family and need their attention and they want your attention too.

Doggies are just loving and lovable creatures.

And you gotta love that!