Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knew why some dogs lick peoples faces and hands a lot? Is it a sign of welcoming someone or is it some other reason?

Thanks

It could be a submissive reaction, puppies do this if they are nervous or it could be for the salt off your skin.

we have 3 dogs a male jack russel and two staffys mum and daughter. They only one who licks is our baby lucy and she licks you constantly lol, if you walk past if you stroke her etc. But she is the cuddliest of the 3 and the defo baby of the family so we just put it down to her affection for us. Although it's quite annoying sometimes lol but she does no when to stop now with a simple 'no licking' command

It can either be a sign of submission - like the puppy to his mother or on the contrary a sign of dominance, if done excessively and obsessively like bitch would groom her pups...
If you ask the dog to stop and he stops then it is merely healthy submission / affection if you want!
Some dogs may also do it along with the excitement of seeing someone again or someone new, as they usually try to smell the face of the person (to greet them, "get to know them"), it can turn into licking!

I've never her of a dog grooming her pup's a sign of dominance!! shawly that's a mother looking after her baby's.

Oki the word "dominance" may not be politically correct anymore so what about "control"..

When the bitch grooms her pups she controls them, she decides when to groom and when to stop and if they try to wiggle out she will stop them and continue with the grooming regardless.

An animal doesnt look after her babies out of love like humans do but out of necessity or natural instinct; the bitch wants her pups cleaned (for the good of the whole litter etc) so she cleans them whether they like it or not.

The bitch is at a higher rank than her pups - so in that way she dominates them.
Dominance doesnt have to be associated with humiliation, punishment, ordering around, as it is often in the "human world".

Its the same idea with Separation anxiety; a dog may have SA because he "dominates" his owners; he thinks he has to be in charge that is, and not knowing where the owners are make him anxious like a bitch would be not knowing where her pups are.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one

What are we disagreeing on?
You think bitches groom their pups out of love and that if they dont want to be groomed they let her know and walk away?
You think bitch and pups are at the same level rank-wise? (its very much like parents and children to that extent)

Anyway if you saw a dog obsessively licking someone and growling as the person tries to move away from it I am sure you would get me point

xx

[QUOTE=Oblada;683928]

What are we disagreeing on?
You think bitches groom their pups out of love and that if they dont want to be groomed they let her know and walk away?
You think bitch and pups are at the same level rank-wise? (its very much like parents and children to that extent)

Anyway if you saw a dog obsessively licking someone and growling as the person tries to move away from it I am sure you would get me point

going off thread abit have a nice day!!!

I think you very sad for giving me a red blob for saying i'll agree to disagree with you! i can't see anything i said to too need that!