Dogs and their undeniable affection are always a constant source of joy for most of us. One of the ways they express their love is through an abundance of wet, slobbery kisses. But have you ever wondered why your pup wants to lick your face, hands, or even feet? Let's take a look at this canine behavior to learn the reasons behind this habit. And trust me, it's not just because they think you taste like a gourmet treat!
1. It's an Instinctual Behavior:
Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years, and their ancestors had their own ways of communicating. Puppies will lick their mother's face to seek nourishment and attention. So, when your dog licks you, it expresses comfort, trust, and your bond with your dog. This is one reason the Lick Mat is essential to your dog's life.
Humor Break: It's like their way of saying, "Hey there, I know I can't bring you flowers, but here's a slobbery bouquet of love!"
2. Tasting and Gathering Information:
Dogs rely heavily on their sense of taste and smell. By licking you, they're essentially gathering information about where you've been, what you've eaten, and who you've been in contact with. It's like their own form of a detective investigation, with your skin as the evidence!
Humor Break: Sherlock Holmes may have his magnifying glass, but dogs have their trusty tongues for solving life's mysteries!
3. Social Bonding:
Just as we hug, kiss, or shake hands with people in our lives, dogs lick to strengthen the social bond with their human family. It's a sign of affection and a way to show that they trust and love you deeply.
Humor Break: In the dog world, a good lick is like an emotional contract signed in slobber!
4. Stress Reduction:
Licking can be soothing for dogs. When they're an
xious or stressed, licking can help calm them down. So, if your pup gives you an extra dose of licks after a long day, consider it their way of helping you unwind. This is also a great coping skill to tap into during storms, fireworks, or any stressful trigger for your dog.
Humor Break: They're like your personal stress-relief therapists, and the only payment they require is a few ear scratches!
5. Mouth-to-Hand Feeding Association:
If you've ever given your dog treats or food directly from your hand, they might associate your skin with deliciousness. So, when they lick you, it's like a culinary critique – a gesture of approval!
Humor Break: You're their five-star restaurant; your skin is the Michelin-starred dish!
While it's true that dogs don't lick us because we taste like a gourmet meal, their affectionate slobbery kisses are a testament to the deep bond between humans and their canine companions. So, the next time your dog showers you with licks, feel the love and remember that it's their way of saying, "You're my favorite human, and I'm here to make your day a little brighter, one lick at a time!"
Our Woof-n-Wellness Club shipping for October includes a durable lick mat with an activity book of different ideas and recipies. A lick mat has different purposes as we learned today. It's one of the many ways to enrich our dogs and build that bond. We also offere supplements to help keep your dog happy, healthy, and strong all life long.
