Why Does My Dog Lick My Hands So Much?
I remember the first time my dog licked my hand. I was so surprised! I didn’t know why he was doing it, and I wasn’t sure if I should let him continue. But as time went on, I realized that my dog’s licking was a sign of affection. He was showing me that he loved me, and he was happy to see me.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered why your dog licks your hands. There are actually several reasons why dogs do this, and some of them may surprise you.
Reasons Why Dogs Lick Hands
Affection: As I mentioned before, licking is a sign of affection for dogs. When your dog licks your hands, he’s telling you that he loves you and is happy to be with you.
Attention: Dogs also lick hands to get attention. If your dog is licking your hands, he may be trying to tell you that he wants to play or cuddle.
Boredom: Dogs who are bored may also lick hands to relieve boredom. If your dog is licking your hands excessively, you may want to try giving him more toys or playing with him more often.
Taste: Some dogs lick hands because they like the taste of salt. If your dog is licking your hands excessively, you may want to try washing your hands more often or using a hand lotion that doesn’t contain salt.
Is It Okay To Let Your Dog Lick Your Hands?
In general, it’s okay to let your dog lick your hands. However, there are some things you should keep in mind.
- First, make sure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations. This will help prevent the spread of any diseases.
- Second, wash your hands after your dog licks them. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Third, don’t let your dog lick your hands if you have any open wounds. This could lead to infection.
Tips for Dealing with Excessive Licking
If your dog is licking your hands excessively, there are a few things you can do to discourage the behavior.
- Ignore your dog: When your dog licks your hands, don’t give him any attention. This will teach him that licking doesn’t get him what he wants.
- Redirect your dog: If your dog starts licking your hands, redirect him to something else, such as a toy or a chew bone.
- Train your dog: You can also train your dog to stop licking your hands. One way to do this is to use a command such as “off” or “no.” When your dog licks your hands, say the command and then give him a treat.
FAQ
Q: Why does my dog only lick my hands?
A: There are several reasons why your dog may only lick your hands. It could be that he loves the taste of your salt, or that he’s trying to get your attention.
Q: Is it okay to let my dog lick my face?
A: It’s generally not recommended to let your dog lick your face, as this could lead to the spread of bacteria. However, if your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations and you wash your face after he licks it, it’s probably okay.
Q: Why does my dog lick my hands after I eat?
A: Your dog may lick your hands after you eat because he’s trying to get a taste of your food. He may also be trying to clean up any crumbs that you’ve left behind.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering why your dog licks your hands, there are several possible reasons. It could be a sign of affection, attention, boredom, or taste. In general, it’s okay to let your dog lick your hands, but there are some things you should keep in mind, such as washing your hands after he licks them and not letting him lick your hands if you have any open wounds. If your dog is licking your hands excessively, there are a few things you can do to discourage the behavior, such as ignoring him, redirecting him, or training him.
Are you interested or know more about why dogs lick hands?
