5 reasons your (babysitting) dog won't stop licking

Do you ever wonder why your (babysitting) dog keeps licking your face or skin all the time? When you call him on it, it doesn't seem to help.... Why do dogs lick so much anyway? And what does this behavior mean?

1. You taste good

The main reason dogs lick people is simply because they like it. Dogs get very excited by taste. If you have just eaten and there is still a nice taste on your fingers, it is hard to control your dog not to lick your fingers off. This may not sound very hygienic to you, but dogs love the taste of our skin. Especially if you have just been exercising, your dog will lovingly lick up all the sweat droplets.

2. Showing respect

When your dog licks your face, it means he respects you. In fact, your dog is submitting to you! Dogs normally lived in a pack. In the pack, there was always an order of precedence. For example, there was an alpha dog who was the leader and all the other dogs were submissive. All the submissive dogs in the pack licked the alpha dog as a sign of respect and to show that he was the leader. Actually, you as boss so the alpha dog!

3. Taking care of your wounds

You've probably noticed; you have a wound and your four-legged friend is licking it clean. A dog's saliva contains enzymes that speed up the healing process of a wound. So it is a very sweet gesture, because he wants to make sure that you can go through life picoble without scratches again!

4. It feels reassuring

From the moment dogs are born, they are licked clean by their mothers. This offers the fragile puppies comfort, love and security. So when dogs lick themselves or others, they get the same feeling as when they were puppies. When your dog licks himself and you, it means he feels safe with you. 

5. To show his love

You come home from work and your dog starts licking all over your face, wagging and jumping up against you. This is a sign of affection! Your four-legged friend is showing you how much he loves you and how much he has missed you. Dogs are also capable of feeling the "love hormone" oxytocin. In humans, for example, this hormone causes mothers to become attached to their newborn babies. Oxytocin also plays a role between dogs and humans. The more attention and love you give your dog, the more oxytocin you both produce!

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