Pyaar Ki Jhappi Aur Chattaai! (A Hug and a Lick of Love!): Why Does Your Dog Lick Your Face? 👅

 

If your dog covers your face in happy, wet licks, it’s one of the sweetest signs of affection! We often call it a “dog kiss”, but that persistent chatt-chatt (licking sound) is actually your dog’s way of having a conversation.

They aren’t just trying to taste you! This instinctive action, unique to them, holds several hidden meanings. Don’t worry if it’s too much—it’s mostly a sign of trust and comfort.

 

The Real Reasons Behind the Lick

 

 

1. It’s Their Instinctive Greeting 👋

 

In the wild, wolves and dogs live in a parivaar (family/pack). Licking serves several core purposes:

• Respect and Greeting: Licking the face of a senior dog or a human is a way of saying, “Hello, I respect you, and I am friendly!” It’s their most sincere greeting.
• Begging for Food: Young puppies lick their mother’s face to encourage her to regurgitate food for them. Your dog might be carrying this instinct, hoping you’ll magically produce a tasty treat!

 

2. They Love the Smell (and Taste!) 👃

 

Your dog’s nose is thousands of times more powerful than yours, and your face is full of intriguing odours!

• Food Scraps: If you just ate biryani or chai, the tiny smell of food around your mouth is a massive magnet for them.
• Intriguing Odours: They might be curious about your face cream, lotion, or perfume. Some moisturising ingredients have a slightly sweet taste, and your dog might simply enjoy the sugary flavour!
• The Hatao Lick: Sometimes, they lick to remove a smell they don’t like or to apply their own scent, marking you as their own!

 

3. It’s a Stress Buster (Tension Hatao) 🧘

 

Licking, like chewing, is a self-soothing behaviour for dogs.

• Relieving Anxiety: If your dog is under stress, perhaps due to a loud noise or a change in routine, the act of licking you can help them feel calm and secure.
• Checking On You: They may also lick your face if you seem stressed or unwell. They want to check on you and calm you down, which in turn calms them down.

 

4. They Learned it Makes You Happy 😊

 

Dogs are very smart at figuring out how to get attention.

• Positive Reinforcement: If your dog licked your face in the past and you laughed, gave them a sudden shout of surprise, or even gave them extra attention, they learnt: “Licking the owner’s face = fun attention!” They are simply doing a behaviour that worked before.

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If My Dog Doesn’t Lick, Does That Mean Less Pyaar?

 

Absolutely not! Just like people, dogs have different personalities (swabhaav) and different ways of showing affection.

• One dog might be a super social “face-licker” who wants to be glued to your side.
• Another dog might show their love by sitting quietly near your feet or resting their head on your lap.

Their reserved behaviour doesn’t mean less affection; it just means they express their love in a quieter, less demanding way. The only person a dog will lick is someone they are completely comfortable and at ease with. That lick, whether big or small, is always a sign of deep trust.