Why Dogs Lick Other Dogs or People on the Mouth

Dogs lick other dogs or people on the mouth for various instinctive reasons, mainly for social bonding, communication, and grooming. While this behaviour can seem endearing, understanding why your dog does it helps you interpret their feelings and intentions better, ensuring a harmonious relationship between you, your dog, and other animals.

It's important to discourage dogs from licking human mouths for hygiene reasons, but recognising the motivations behind this behaviour offers valuable insights into your dog's social language.

1. Greeting Rituals Among Dogs

Licking around the muzzle is often part of a dog's greeting ritual, much like sniffing. When two dogs lick each other’s mouths or gently groom the muzzle, it usually signals mutual trust and friendship. Sometimes, it also means one dog senses tasty remnants on the other's chin, making licking a polite invitation for shared enjoyment.

2. Apologising and Appeasing

If two dogs have had a minor disagreement, one dog might lick the other's muzzle as an apology to ease tensions. Similarly, if your dog thinks you’re upset, they may lick your mouth area to check your mood or seek reassurance. It's best not to scold your dog during these moments, as harsh responses may confuse them and make them think they need to apologise again.

3. Begging for Food: An Evolutionary Trait

The licking behaviour links back to ancestral feeding habits of wolves, where adults regurgitated food to share with their offspring. Puppies, in particular, lick the mouths of other dogs or humans to invite food sharing, a behaviour inherited from their wild ancestors. Recognising this helps you understand their natural instincts in a modern context.

4. Showing Submission and Respect

Licking around the mouth can indicate submission or respect in dog social hierarchies. After a dispute or when recognising a more dominant dog or person, your dog might lick the other's muzzle to show they’re yielding to authority and not posing a threat. This peaceful gesture is an important communication tool. While you should discourage mouth licking from a hygiene standpoint, it's essential not to punish submissive signals, as it might confuse your dog about their place in the social structure.

5. Simple Affection and Bonding

Dogs are affectionate animals that use licking as a form of mutual grooming and bonding, much like humans grooming each other to strengthen relationships. When dogs lick each other’s muzzles, it helps share scents and reinforces their pack bond. Your dog licking your mouth can be their way of showing love, trust, and happiness to be with you.

6. Attention-Seeking or Soothing

Occasionally, dogs lick to get attention or to calm themselves and others. Licking releases endorphins in dogs that promote relaxation and feelings of safety. If your dog licks your face or mouth, they might be seeking your attention or trying to soothe themselves in a stressful moment.

Promoting Responsible Ownership

While dog mouth licking is a natural behaviour rooted in social instincts, it is advisable to discourage your dog from licking your mouth to maintain good hygiene. Instead, reinforce other affectionate behaviours like gentle petting or playing. Understanding your dog’s reasons for licking can help you respond appropriately and deepen your bond.

For more information about dog behaviour and responsible pet ownership, consider looking for guidance from reputable reputable breeders and professional trainers who promote ethical and healthy animal care.