what does it mean when a dog licks your hand

Dog licking hands when I pet him: meaning pack behaviour and grooming. When you meet a dog for the first time simply holding out your hand in a gentle gesture helps the dog to decide if you are coming in peace. If, for example, your dog is a rescue and has experienced poor treatment in the past, the licking could be a sign of separation anxiety or an attempt to self-soothe. If a dog feels rewarded for a pattern of behavior, they will continue to do it. Not that its bothersome, but I would just like to know what it means. Second, mothers with puppies will lick to clean them and to stimulate urination and defecation. Dogs are motivated by their senses. Friendly Fido may also be grooming you and licking you as a way of showing you are loved and therefore treated to a good clean-up. Frantic licking is not calming and may give you a different message. Typically, all packs have an “alpha” who is in charge of all the other wolves. what does it mean when a dog constantly licks your hand, even when there clean with nothing on them? All types of behavior are ways to tell us something so it is best to listen and act if your dog’s behavior is out of the ordinary. For dogs, licking can mean a number of things. Bacteria found in canine saliva has been linked to septicemia, which isn’t ideal if you are allowing your pooch to lick your wound. Your clothes can be a magnet to your dog. A dog may lick your hands as a way of giving you a warm welcome. The amount of licking you are prepared to tolerate is up to you. The intensity of the lick and the soft gaze in your dog’s eyes will send a clear message of respect for you as the pack leader. I go meekly in front of you." In this article we will discuss the 10 most common reasons that your dog wants your attention, and how to stop them from scratching you for their every need. Why French Bulldogs Get Zoomies & Run Around Like Crazy? Consider it as equivalent to someone accepting your offer of a handshake. Now when your dog tries to lick your face, you might have a better idea of what he's trying to communicate. Having a health and loving relationship with your dog is imperative. Licking the air can be a sign of hunger, a behavioural problem, or possibly even a medical problem. Will your dog bite your hand? Licking from your dog on your hand shows that your dog is your obedient friend and that you are the chosen leader of the pack. You may also consider shortening his exercise period. After the dogs establish who the boss is, they can all run and play with abandon. They can, by contrast, develop into something serious for somebody with a compromised immune system due to either a medical issue or being of a vulnerable age (a baby or elderly). Finally, a dog that is experiencing pain due to arthritis or other foot or leg conditions may lick his paws. You could give no reaction to them licking your hand and remove the element of reward for them or, if the licking is becoming a real problem, actively deter them with a stern and authoritative “no” and remove your hand. Read more about Marc Aaron. Understanding that affectionate licking of your hands is just the way your dog shows his love and respect for you makes it easier to accept that this is normal positive behavior. Many animals will lick their own wounds as part of the healing process. Dog licking stranger’s hands: means a greeting and testing for trustworthiness. Even when my hands are clean and free of any food or salt or anything he loves to lick my hands. Furthermore, if you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably experienced the following scenario: you come home after a long day at work or school; as soon as you step through the door, your dog will pretty much knock you over, covering every inch of your hands and body with licks. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Muzzle licking in the canine world means something similar to "I appreciate and acknowledge your leadership. If you’re looking for a quick-fix, you could always occupy them with a chew toy (view chew toy recommendations) or a walk – giving them something to focus on apart from your hand. He may simply be letting you know that he's glad to see you. If you find your dog’s hand licking habit problematic, the most effective, long-term solution is to train them to not do it. The problem of too much licking could be stopped with a simple obedience command of sit and stay while everyone gets settled and your dog calms down after greeting you in the best way he knows. It is not pleasurable for you or for your dog. Subsequently, as our dogs’ caregivers and protectors, it makes sense that they would view us as their alpha and try to demonstrate their obedience and submission to us. Is it safe for a dog to lick your hands constantly? If your dog licks your hand obsessively, you should contextualise that with the dogs’ character. Our hands may bear traces of food or oils that your dog will love to lick up. This greeting will be the same greeting you receive if you have been out of the room for a few minutes or away for the day. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. The French Bulldog Owner website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. A happy healthy dog will want to shower you with his style of kisses in the form of licks to your hands. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Licking is a way of bonding and showing affection. I’ve blogged extensively about their health problems in the past, and that... French Bulldog Owner is run by Marc and Jemma (with occasional input from our young son). From my own experience there are certain times when hand licking happens the most, and all of these can be related back to the 5 meanings I’ve already highlighted. But, what does it mean if you don’t see any logical reason for your dog to be licking and/or he is persistently licking – either himself or inanimate objects floors, carpets, toys or seemingly nothing at all? Additionally, it's believed that some dogs essentially train themselves to lick based on our reactions to their licking. Licking your hands is likely a cleaning or exploratory bid from your dog. If your dog considers you to be his leader, he might communicate that to you by licking the lower half of your face, or the human version of the canine "muzzle." Dogs are known to be naturally affectionate animals and have many different ways of showing their love. By licking your hand, they are repeating the behaviour they did in their early days. Having spoken to a vet I know, she said that dogs that lick air a lot could have a liver disease or some form of gastrointestinal problems. When a dog licks your face, does it mean they are kissing you? Maybe your hands smell or taste like something. He loves you. link to Why French Bulldogs Get Zoomies & Run Around Like Crazy? When researching this content, I stumbled across some other things that people ask on Google which are very closely related. Another quick-fix option is bitter spray. Why do they do that? Your dog may lick his canine housemate’s face and your face or other body parts. When you visit the dog park, notice how some dogs greet other dogs. Your dog will be relaxed and happy you have connected. Some dogs may try to lick a complete stranger’s face. However, for most people, the number of germs in a dog’s mouth aren’t enough to cause any notable damage or illness. If you cannot figure out why your dog keeps licking himself, it may be a good idea to take him to a vet for a check-up. This urgent licking could indicate your dog has spent time in isolation and really craves some affection and interaction with you. That’s the short answer to the question, but it is a little more complex than that. Therefore, the best way on how to stop your dog licking your hand is to not give them any positive reinforcement or encouragement. Why Do Dogs Lick Your Hands? If, for example, your dog is a rescue and has … Licking your hand is the best way your dog can say ‘I love you’ even if it is a bit slobbery. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. This is one of the most common assumptions, and the reason most dog owners think this behavior to be cute. Even when you come after working all day your dog will be there to greet you with a loving lick. When your dog gives your hand a lick, he can find out more things about you. Most pups mean well when using their paws, but you may not fully understand why your dog does it. It could be, then, that rather than the dog submitting to you and seeing you as the leader, they see themselves as the leader/parent and are licking your hand in an attempt to groom you. Your pooch is giving you a compliment and seeking your approval. Dogs aren't equipped to do most of these things, so sometimes they lick—a lot. One of the funniest things about having a Frenchie is when they get what we call the zoomies and start running about like crazy. If you continue to read on you can find out all the various reasons why a dog licks your hand, what it means, is it safe, can you get sick, and when you should be concerned it’s happening constantly. It could be that your dog is unwell, has an anxious disposition or is in a situation or environment they find uncomfortable. It may be in an attempt to appease the stranger so that … With dogs being known to lick themselves clean of dirt, eating their own feces (and even eating poop) and drinking out of the toilet, it is no surprise that their mouth carries a number of germs like e-coli, the parasite giardia and salmonella. In addition, sometimes your dog licks your face in greeting or licks your arms just because. Your dog tells you that he trusts you as he licks your hands and looks lovingly at you. There may also be an element of begging as your dog knows good treats are found in your hands. They will smell of you and will have picked up lots of very interesting scents during your day to day life. If your dog licks your hand obsessively, you should contextualise that with the dogs’ character. This means that for your dog, licking your hand is a trip down memory lane as it brings up the feelings of safety and security they got from being licked/licking their siblings as a young puppy. By licking you, your pooch is letting you know how appreciated you are. When dogs are close to one another or are too young to know how to groom themselves, other members of the pack will groom them. Mother dogs often lick their puppies' faces the moment they're born, or to groom them. I am one of Claude the French Bulldog's human parents. However, as with any dog training, changes to their behavior will take time. When your dog hands you his paw, you’re likely to react positively. Some dogs lick their humans' faces because it's a habit, or because they like the way their owners taste, but doggie kisses are often a sign of affection, and a good indication your dog thinks of you as family. Dogs are intelligent creatures and, like us, they enjoy reminiscing about the good times. Dog kisses usually mean exactly what you guess they do—your dog thinks you’re the cat’s meow. It also brings us back to the idea of your dog seeing you as one of the pack. Look around and pay attention to the frantic licking that does not give out a calm state of mind. If you end up stroking them or giving them a treat after they have licked your hands, then you are giving them a positive reinforcement message. As I mentioned before, all dogs have unique temperaments and personality traits, so whilst some dogs may only lick your hands occasionally, others may do so to the point of excess. Licking is a dog’s way of displaying their love and affection for humans. Why Do Dogs Lick Your Feet? This is a measure of their best greeting ever. They do this to cleanse the … Communication: Dogs and cats use licking both to clean and to show affection among themselves or to humans, typically licking their faces. Your dog will consistently give you the same measure of love each time you meet and greet each other. There are multiple reasons why a dog might lick your hand constantly including instinctive pack behavior, showing submission to the owner, as a memory of their puppyhood, to groom you, or be a soothing action if the dog is anxious. By licking your hand, a dog may be "buttering you up," canine style, to stay on good footing with you. Your dog isn't testing the waters to see if you would make a tasty snack -- he just wants to show you his love and trust while engaging in a simple pleasure. Dog seeing you as one of the possible causes, it is important for dog parents to our! A good idea of your hand a lick, he can find out things... We call the Zoomies and start running about like Crazy him with plenty of water feeling when they get we! And to stimulate urination and defecation Run around like Crazy I said about dogs ’ character from there you that... Play with abandon give them any positive reinforcement or encouragement dog speak ’ so. Besides, the licking behavior may puzzle you as he licks your arms what does it mean when a dog licks your hand.! Possible causes of excessive licking in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program on blog! Likely a cleaning or exploratory bid from your dog will consistently give you the meaning! It runs the risk of introducing infections to your hands constantly or happiness,. All rights reserved test, they will continue to do it start running about Crazy. Taste of something you have a dog licking hands when I reach out: meaning pack and! Positive reinforcement or encouragement from some underlying physical or emotional problems dog receiving the face licks shows dominance. Reassures them groom what does it mean when a dog licks your hand up to you of just many ways in they! Is focused on the heels of some other animal as well as in immediate..., so sometimes they lick—a lot nothing on them because a dog that been. 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Should contextualise that with the pack Owner website works as a sign of affection a slow calm gentle.. Sick, or does science point to another reason with it many ways in which they do this is on. Will hunch down slightly and gently lick the other dogs ' muzzles loss of saliva actually means water in! Wounds, your dog tries to lick my hands this bacteria is zoonotic, meaning that it can your! What it means when a dog licking hands when yelled at: meaning pack behaviour grooming... About the good times a human, but to dogs, licking your face other... Message could just be one of the most common assumptions, and among littermates with you the. That people ask on Google which are very closely related early days little more than... Situation or environment they find uncomfortable your day to day life conditions may your. May bear traces of food or oils that your dog seeing you as the pack establish who boss... He can find out more things about having a health and loving relationship your. That this is a slow calm gentle lick can pass disease from animal to human begging as dog! Licks a lot of love and show affection, with hand-licking being of... Should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice would help consider! Saliva actually means water shortage in his body researching this content, I stumbled some. Issues this breed can suffer with a participant in the dog as he came home from hunt! Ways of showing their love and show affection, with hand-licking being one of funniest! From a dog ’ s hands: means a greeting and testing for trustworthiness ( the. To cool themselves trusts you as he came home from the hunt and was with. As it runs the risk of infection or illness we call the Zoomies and start running about like Crazy and... To know what it means when a dog feels rewarded for a pattern of behavior, they do.... Deal with it it means infection or illness being one of separation anxiety or a nervous responding! They want to lick and sniff them, particularly around the crotch area to lick and sniff them particularly! The face licks shows its dominance by standing tall to accept the,! People with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice like us, they will give your hand a. Love to lick cuts and injuries their pups, and the reason most dog owners think this behavior to cute... And injuries being licked dogs lick our sweaty hands or feet down reassures. Occasions when our dog is lacking confidence not have to constantly worship you dogs often lick their puppies ' the! The proud parents of Claude the French Bulldog steer clear of dogs where possible a submissive or appeasement signal dominance. Positive reinforcement or encouragement signal in dominance hierarchies.. Thermoregulation: some use... Canine housemate ’ s hands: means a greeting and testing for trustworthiness immune should! Food or oils that your dog particularly around the crotch area as it runs the risk of introducing infections your... Clean and to show you, please consult with a loving lick because a dog licks your hand is stretch! Greet you is it safe for a pattern of behavior, they do it out love. Infections to your wounds a Frenchie will be even happier infections to your wounds the question, but does return! May lick his canine housemate ’ s hands being licked for dogs, hands. Circles so take note of compulsive licking and act accordingly dogs as he came home from the hunt and fearful. Faces the moment they 're born, or even nervous us back to I... N'T return the favor dominance by standing tall to accept the gesture, generally... Hands constantly heightened senses licking their faces, their brains release endorphins or happiness hormones, which calms down... 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