Why Does My Dog… Lick Me? Hint: It’s NOT Simply To Show Affection

3. Exploration

As we noted, dogs use their tongue to acquaint themselves with their surroundings. It is just another way they experience and explore the world. This exploration may be of their environment or of new people.

As much of a wonder as dogs are to us, we are just as much a mystery to them. We’ve all met dogs for the first time, offered a hand for them to sniff, and found our hands licked in return.

Even if you’ve had a dog for years, you may have touched or brought home some new thing — whether it’s tangible or microscopic — that makes your dog curious. Dogs lick people to try and puzzle out new sensory experiences.

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Next Up: They want attention

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