Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 9/14/2006

Question
Why do dogs lick human mouths and noses?

Answer
Dear Bev,
Thanks for the wonderful question. I'm not sure I have the answer, but I'll share  a few of my thoughts about the subject. The short answer is at the bottom of this message!

There really hasn't been (to my knowledge) studies on why dogs lick humans' faces. Most people associate the behavior with kisses and love, but that might be a stretch.

In some instances we can readily identify the root cause. For example, the behavior is associated with foraging for crumbs and salt! If the dog has been successful in the past, that might explain licking when there are no visible crumbs - the dog's smell your last meal and are just checking to see if there may be a hidden treat!

If your dog likes to be petted and praised and you pet and praise when he licks your face, that would increase face-licking behaviors. In this instance, it may have initially occurred as an expedition for tasty salt or crumbs and evoloved into a ritual to solicit your praise and touch, or better known as attention-seeking behavior.

Some scientists associate face licking as passive submission, grooming, compulsive or anxious behavior, appeasement, solicitation for food (in some observations,  puppies licked adult dogs' mouths and faces and the adult dogs regurgitated food). It could indicate a control or dominance issue or a statement about social standing or the heirarchy. It depends on the situation and the individual dog.

For one to try and identify the root cause, it would be necessary to know much more about the specific instance and the dogs' general behavior in other situations. For example, how long did he lick, was he licking furiously or methodically or as if driven be some innate motivation? What occurred immediately before the licking - immediately after the licking? What was the dog's body posture? How well balanced is the dog's social, emotional and physical environment?

Only then could we justify a hypothetical conclusion about the cause for licking.

The short answer is: face-licking could be a good sign or a sign of imbalance- it depends. Happy Training!
AT