Dog: Why it licks us – When it warns us of health problems

A distinguishing feature of the dog is to shower his human with "kisses" when he sees him.

To lick his guardian on any part of his body.

Why is he exhibiting this behavior? Is it just a manifestation of love and tenderness?

"Our dog, out of his intense excitement, tries to lick our hands, feet, face and any other part of our body he finds opportune. One might reasonably wonder why he does it. No matter how strange this behavior seems to us, the reasons that cause it are very simple," says the positive dog trainer, Stella Rigaki.

He says that, first, we should think about all those body products we use.

Many of them have a very attractive smell, as they give off aromas of sweets or fruits. And this causes our dog to try them.

Even if we do not perceive their smell, as Ms. Rigaki says, and we think it has weakened, we must not forget that our dog has a much more heightened sense of smell than we do.

"This means that dogs not only have the ability to smell us from afar, but they can also distinguish any odor that can make up our scent.
Beyond that, though, let's take into account that our sweat has a salty taste, which some dogs may like. So the first explanation, although somewhat funny, is that for our dogs we have... good taste.
The second, however, arises from the way our dog has learned to communicate. Puppies, from the first days of their lives, learn from their mothers that licking is a way of communication, to show their affection, their love. It is the way for them to cleanse themselves and close their wounds. Growing up, they learn to handle it, either to show their tenderness, or to calm a tense situation. So, as adults now, in their attempt to communicate with us they use what they have learned from their mother dogs. After all, who among us has not experienced his little friend licking him when he has a wound, or expressing his gratitude in this way?", says Mrs. Rigaki.

It draws our attention, however, if we notice that our dog insists on licking us on a certain part of our body. He may have something to "tell" us, to warn us about something. In this case, we may need to see our doctor.

Finally, he points out that: "Whatever our dog's motives are each time, it is good not to argue with him, if for us it is an undesirable behavior. Because, for his kind, she's normal. We can ask for the advice of a positive trainer, so that he does not lick us and, at the same time, a common way of communication is found."

Source: ygeiamou.gr