Lack of Exercise
When is the last time you took your dog out for a walk or to spend the day at the park? A dog will start licking you, trying to prompt you off the couch or take you away from your work. It wants to go for a walk, and licking is the best way to communicate.
That’s why you must be alert during such licks to decipher what the dog is trying to communicate. House dogs carry around lots of pent-up energy that they need to release by going outside. You will notice they start pacing and licking you when exercise time is approaching.
Have you gone past feeding time because you were a bit preoccupied? It happens, but your dog won’t let you forget for long. You notice it carries its feeding bowl into the room and waits for you to see it is feeding time.
If you don’t, it gets closer to lick you in a bid to get your attention. The dog is saying it’s lunch or dinner time. Please come and feed me. Often, such licks are accompanied by whining or barking when you try to push them away.
A canine friend with some oral health issues will try to lick that part that’s paining or uncomfortable. For instance, it may have a broken tooth or something lodged in between. You notice it smacks its mouth and starts licking things, including you. It’s searching for some relief.
When you notice such behaviors check its mouth, especially if it’s not feeding well. The dog is telling you there’s a problem, and you need to call the vet to book an appointment.
If your doggie keeps licking the air, then he may be attempting to create a truce with another seemingly tougher party. In the canine world, licking of the air is a sign of peacemaking, notes the Caring Hands Humane Society. If a dog is doing this, he likely is extremely frightened by someone or something, and is acknowledging his lesser power by essentially admitting vulnerability. This action is definitely not an indication of a confident, self-assured dog in any way.
Licking the air also is often an obsessive-compulsive pattern in the canine species, similar to tail chasing, consuming inedible items, persistent barking, spinning around and following shadows. Your dogs air licking may be a compulsive reaction to a number of different issues that may be making him unhappy and anxious, including major life change and unfamiliarity, a cramped crate, conflict among other household pets, isolation, separation anxiety and classic boredom.
When it comes to compulsive behavior, frustration sometimes is the culprit behind a dogs air licking. If a dog is whining while licking the air compulsively, the behavior may be a result of stress and frustration rather than fear. Whether a dog feels lonely due to the long absence of an owner at work all day or intensely bored due to lack of toys and fluffy companions for playtime, he may let it all out it by engaging in both of these behaviors.
If you add whining into the mix of air licking, your poor poochs vocalization probably is a result of anxiety or fear. Since licking of the air is a submissive action, your dog is likely whimpering because hes scared of his opponent. He may feel helpless and terrified, and apart from attempts to remedy the situation by making peace, his other gut reaction may be to whine and cry, too.
Sometimes, a dogs body language can seem so obvious and easy, such as the excited tail wagging upon seeing a beloved owner return home. Other times, not so much. Incessant air licking and whining can point to everything from severe stress to feelings of vulnerability and defeat.
Sign of Affection
As you play around the house, your dog’s pretty standard is to get up close and personal. You end up slobbered with saliva when they give you licks after licks.
By then, they are a bundle of energy full of excitement and want to show you how much they love you. All the licks that come your way when you are playing games are a sign of affection and love.
Another way to put it is ‘dog kisses‘ for their favorite person in the whole wide world. This is how they express the feeling they have towards you. The least you can do is sit there are and enjoy them, right.
Why Does Your Dog Lick You?
Dogs are social creatures with different behaviors. For instance, you might have noticed that your dog loves to lick you. Perhaps you’ve been wondering why they behave this way. Is it a sign of affection, or are they prompting you to feed them or go for a walk?