There is no doubt that a dog that licks her handler has created a important bond with him. This is a positive development for the relationship between pet and guardian, but as with all positive developments, when they become excessive, they no longer have as positive a connotation as they did before they crossed the line of excess.
Being clear that the canine behavior of licking is a demonstration and an obvious parameter of the existence of a great attachment, a strong affective bond and respect between the animal and its responsible fork, it is time to understand why my dog licks my feetKeep reading this article on our site and discover the answer!
Behavioral characteristics of dogs
This behavior of dogs licking other members of their social group (whether this group is made up of humans or other dogs) has an innate, evolutionary and atavistic originLicking is a behavior that reinforces the affective and emotional bond between individuals belonging to the same social group or herd.
Dog licking directed towards its own fur has the function of keeping it in perfect hygiene and he alth conditions. The licking cleans by its dragging action most of the ectoparasites that normally inhabit the fur and skin of animals. Although these parasites are natural inhabitants, the lack of grooming through licking by the dog leads to an excess in the amount of these ectoparasites, which would lead to the generation of dermatitis in dogs that, in turn, could reach become contaminated with bacteria, generating a serious skin infection. In this way, the dog, with the neat licking of its fur, keeps these guests at bay that inhabit the outer layer of its body.
Dog saliva, it is now known, contains a series of chemical substances with bactericidal properties, and this is what allows wounds sustained on the surface of the skin can be more easily healed when the dog has access to lick those wounds that have occurred either in a fight or in an accident. The dog that manages to lick its wounds has a better chance of not getting infected.
This licking, both of the fur and of skin wounds, has been observed that dogs not only do it on their own body, but also on those individuals or groupmates with whom they have a strong and positive affective bond.
What does it mean when a dog licks your legs and feet?
When dogs exhibit this behaviour, it can be due to several reasons:
- he loves you: One of the main reasons your dog licks your feet or legs is because he is trying to show you his affection in this way. In other words, your dog loves you.
- Try to get your attention: On the other hand, if your dog is hungry, thirsty, wants to walk or play, it is likely that he licks your feet to get your attention and convey his need.
- Anxiety: If your dog compulsively licks you, it may mean that your dog is suffering from anxiety for some reason. Anxiety in dogs can appear for various reasons, so you should review your pet's behavior with your veterinarian.
- Generalization of the behavior: it can also happen that your dog licks you because he has realized that you like him, already that later you reward him with caresses or praises, so he will continue doing it to please you. This is known as generalization of behavior. the latter finds this behavior of his dog pleasant towards him and instead of repressing it, he rewards it with caresses or praises the animal, reinforcing this behavior and generating a habit in his dog.
- Easy access: If your dog wants to lick you for whatever reason, he may go for your feet simply because he has greater access to them
However, if you think your dog is licking you excessively or more than before, we advise you to go to your veterinarian to be able to assess the situation together with the professional. On the other hand, it may help you to read this other article about My dog licks me a lot - Why and what to do?
How to prevent your dog from licking your feet?
There are many tips that can be indicated in this situation, such as:
- Divert his attention: divert the dog's behavior to another activity, it can be a good solution to get your furry unused to this type behavior.
- Positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement can also be very useful for retraining your dog. Our advice is that you have treats on hand and that you reward him when he does not lick you. In this way, he will understand that if he does not lick you he will receive prizes
- Basic Commands: It can also be very helpful to educate your dog on basic obedience commands. This will make it easier, for example, when you tell him "no", to stop what he was doing.
- Go to an ethologist: If you think that your dog's licking is due to a major anxiety or behavior problem, you we advise that you seek help from a canine behavior professional.
In any of the cases, the re-education of the dog is achieved by following and respecting the rule of the 3 P's: practice, patience and perseveranceThe dog is a noble animal that, when respected and given time, learns with incredible ease and speed.
