Animal specialists believe dogs lick humans for several reasons including the dogs like the salty taste of human skin, it has become a habit, and it’s a sign of affection from the dog to their human. When a dog is a puppy, the mother licks the puppy to help it start to breathe, the way a human baby used to be stimulated to breathe after delivery with a light tap on the bottom. Mother dogs also lick their puppies to help keep them clean.
So, it’s a normal and natural reflex for dogs to lick. Scientists also believe licking stimulates endorphins, which are pleasurable brain hormones that get released and help dogs (and humans) to feel more relaxed and less stressed.
