Why do dogs like to lick our faces?

In fact, this is not such a big mystery. In most cases, dogs lick people as a token of love. So, when your face is again under the sight of the pupil's tongue, know: so the animal compliments you.

Licking as a way of communication

Just like barking, licking is a multifaceted tool in canine behavior. Animals can use it in various interpretations for the manifestation of certain emotions. Over the long years of research, scientists have come to the conclusion that licking is a natural instinct in dogs. However, it appears in many other animals. When a mother licks her puppies, she takes care of the offspring. In this case, contact is established between it and the kids. Licking each other, puppies enter into the first social contact.

Looking for reasons

In fact, this rather simple act is very complicated. Here are a few reasons why dogs show a licking instinct:

• Attempt to attract resources. If to speak easier, in this case puppies, which by such action hint to mothers that they are hungry, will become an excellent example. Among adults, the weaker can begin licking leaders in the hope of getting a piece of food.
• Interaction with the environment. In some ways, the language of dogs acts as a scout. It is a powerful sensory tool that allows you to evaluate objects that are nearby.
• To attract attention. Sometimes pets do not have enough communication with their master. Then they try to attract his attention by licking. The animal sounds like, "Hey, I'm here. Look how cute I am. Maybe you'll stroke me? "
• Way of play. This reason is closely related to the previous one. First, the pet can just try to attract attention, and then the process goes into a kind of game.
• Assimilated behavior. Perhaps you could accidentally include this habit in the overall concept of dog education. If the pet gets more attention than usual, after the act of licking, then he begins to see benefits in this process. Later, the animal will repeat its actions to get a portion of affection.

Is there a problem?

But why some dogs tend to excessively lick their owners? This is determined, as a rule, not so much by the pet itself, as by the person watching it. Sometimes any undesirable manifestation of a dog's attention can be interpreted by its master as excessive. In this case, there really is a serious problem. However, it does not concern the animal. It's about the problem of the relationship between a person and his pet. In the end, if the dog licks his master - this is normal. This habit is inherent in the nature of quadrupeds.

There are, of course, cases when the animal is really prone to licking at an excessive level. Such features can manifest themselves in dogs suffering from certain types of obsessive-compulsive behavior. However, most often animals with similar disorders become less prone to communication. This means that they hardly know the habit of licking.

If there is a suspicion of abnormal behavior in the pet, dog owners are advised to contact the veterinarian. In most cases, quadrupeds are successfully treated.