Why do dogs lick a persons hand.?

Question

Our Yorkshire terrier about 9 yrs old licks us on the hand or arm quite frequently and tries for the face. Is it affection or salt content or a nervous habit or what ever?

Answer 1

this is a behavior that has followed the dog through their history from the wild. wolf pups will lick the faces and mouths of the older more dominate pack members in the hopes that they will "throw-up" any meat that they carried back with them from a kill. this was a way to feed the younger members of the pack without them having to tag along on a dangerous hunt.
this is also a sign of submission, its a way of your dog saying "yes you are the boss, i am submissive and will do as you say."
this is very good...this means YOU are the pack leader, and she sees you as the pack leader too.
EVERY thing that your dog does is a form of "dog body language"...there are ways to tell what your dog is thinking or feeling or trying to get across to you.
most people don't even notice, which is sad...if you study dog body language you will be amazed at how well you will be able to read your dog...and really KNOW just what he is telling you.

here is a link to some simple body postures and their meanings.
http://www.wagntrain.com/BodyLanguage.htm


here is a link that explains why dogs lick people...
http://www.seefido.com/html/why_do_dog_lick_people.htm

Answer 2

Dogs lick humans for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from the salt on your skin to submission. If you meet a dog for the first time and he/she licks you, it's submission. Submissive licking is the result of the dog being treated in adverse ways such as teasing, hitting, yelling or just abuse in general. On the other hand, if you have know a dog for sometime and he licks your hand from time to time it's most likely because of the salt or because they just like the way you taste. Dogs that lick constantly regardless of where they are licking you are most often doing so because they are insecure, submissive and nervous. This is a direct result of their experiences, and were not talking about good ones.

Answer 3

Licking is how dogs feel, since they don't use their hands to feel. It is a sensory thing. It could also be because of the salt, but more or less it's how a dog feels...this is why some babies lick or put their hands in their mouth before they learn to use their hands to feel...

Answer 4

They say it its the salt!, the salty flavour, or because of communication, might wanna go out for a walk!, important to take them out to walk!, or they become anti-social and not friendly. Its affection if its the face!, its salt if its the hand

Answer 5

THIS IS A WAY THAT THEY SHOW AFFECTION AND THEY ALSO GET THE SALT THAT COLLECT ON YOUR SKIN. MY DOG DOSE THIS ALL THE TIME TOO AND I WOULD NOT BE A GOOD DOG LOVER IF I MADE HER QUIT. DOGS ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS AND THE SHOW AFFECTION AND RESPECT TO THEIR MASTERS BY LICKING THEM AS THEY WOULD IF THE WERE IN A PACK TO THE DOMINANT PAIR. THIS GOES BACK ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST WOLVES AND WAY THE PACK PAYS HOMAGE TO THE LEADERS OF THE PACK.

Answer 6

i heard that animals lick because of the salt content my cats love licking i think they show effection by purring

Answer 7

It's a dog's way of petting you. They show their affection to other dogs in this way too. Unless you have mayonaisse on your hand. Then your dog is just trying to get a free snack.

Answer 8

It's affection, but you can get it to stay away from the face.

Answer 9

it is a sign of submission if they lick they're own nose
a sign of pack friendship if they lick you

Answer 10

Its affection.