What your dog's licking really means: Not just affection

Every dog owner has probably experienced being licked by their furry friend, sometimes even on a regular basis. Surprisingly, licking hands is not always about showing love. Discover what your dog might be trying to tell you.

Ellen Furlong, a professor of psychology and neurobiology at Transylvania University in Kentucky, explains the possible reasons behind this behavior in an article quoted by popsi.com:

"For instance, if a familiar dog approaches you energetically, with repeated licks and loose "wiggly" posture, then a lick on the face or hand is likely an expression of greeting or enthusiasm," the professor explains.

Zachary Silver, a professor of psychology at Occidental College and director of the Canine Intelligence Lab, adds that licking is also about building bonds.

"[It may be] an attempt at creating affiliation or reaffirming affiliation," Silver explains.

However, licking can also indicate a marker of hierarchy. When a dog licks a human, it may be communicating some form of submission or belonging.

Additionally, licking might be a way for the dog to create distance, similar to how turning away can show a need for space. It can also be a method for the pet to relieve stress, during which it releases hormones that promote well-being.

For dogs, licking isn't solely a tool for bonding or displaying emotions. It might also mean that the dog is interested in the taste and smell of our skin. Moreover, when we are eating, the dog usually hopes for a treat.

Your dog’s lick of you when you come home is absolutely a greeting, they’re happy to see you, but also it’s a little bit of a request for whatever you just ate," says Alexandra Horowitz of Barnard College, quoted by popsi.com.