5 Reasons Why Your Dog Constantly Licks Your Face

Dog owners often encounter situations where their pet tries to lick their face. Everyone reacts differently: some are disgusted, while others happily offer themselves up for the "kisses." In any case, you're probably curious to know why dogs do this and how to properly respond to this behavior.

Show of affection

This behavior may indicate a special relationship with the owner or a family member (for a dog, it would be more accurate to say, "a pack member"). The pet is simply expressing love and emotional attachment. If the dog is trying to express its warm feelings, licking will be accompanied by tail wagging, joyful cries, and attempts to jump into someone's arms. This behavior pattern is natural for dogs: this is how puppies behave toward their mother.

Not only your own dog but also a stranger's can lick your face. For example, when a new person comes to your home, the resident dog will try to sniff and lick the stranger. This helps the dog understand that the visitor poses no threat to it or its owner. Once the dog has become accustomed to you, pet it and affectionately call it by its name. This will help establish rapport and trust.

The instinct of ownership in front of strangers

In front of guests and in crowded places, a pet may lick its owner's face and hands more vigorously, as if demonstrating a special bond with them. The dog asserts its claim on its owner and signals to everyone around that the owner is busy.

This also happens among other pets, for example, when walking in a park with many dogs playing at once. Licking the face and hands reassures the dog: the owner is nearby, everything is fine, and no one else is laying claim to it.

Maternal care

Another reason is the establishment of a kinship bond with a person. Many pets express love for their owners in the same way that recently whelped dogs do when caring for their babies.

After birth, dogs lick their puppies to clean their bodies and open their airways. During early childhood, puppies remain under the care of their mother. She always keeps them in sight and monitors their safety, licking them to clean them or to show affection.

When puppies grow up and transition from milk to solid food, they lick their mother's face to ask for food. Thus, "kisses" are natural for dogs and are ingrained in puppyhood, later transferring to their relationships with loved ones.

The dog is bored

When you're sitting quietly minding your own business, ignoring your pet, and they suddenly run up and start licking your face and hands, it could mean they're simply trying to get your attention. They're bored, want to play, or want some affection from their owner.

Of course, we shouldn't ignore such a request, because we are all they have. We can take a break from work for a while, play with the dog, or go for a walk.

Your pet is asking you for something.

Just as puppies lick their mother's face to ask for food, adult dogs can do the same to their owners. If your dog is licking you, pay attention: maybe they need something. This may be a way for your dog to ask for help. It doesn't necessarily mean they want to eat, go for a walk, or play. It could be that they're experiencing something more serious—feeling unwell, and you should take them to the vet.

Dogs crave their owners' attention. Sometimes they try to get it by licking their owners' faces. This can indicate affection and care, a special bond with their owner, a need for something, or simple boredom. But most often, this behavior is a sign of affection and love.