Chew Test Why Do Dogs Lick Your Feet
Licking is a normal dog behavior because our furry friend licks things like toys, people and other dogs for different reasons. When your dog licks you, it could be trying to groom you and make sure you’re sparkly clean. It could also be trying to bond with you as it would normally do with other dogs. It could also be licking you simply to get your attention.
But why does my dog lick my feet aggressively? The answer could simply be that your feet are tasty! Pheromones and salt from sweat gather in your feet as you go about your day and that is quite a combination for any dog as they all have an organ called Jacobson’s organ that allow them to smell AND taste at the same time. Another consideration is that smells and tastes we humans find undesirable or gross can be stimulating for dogs.
Licking can also be calming for most dogs as they can exhibit the behavior when dealing with anxiety or stress. If it is not excessive, don’t stop dog licking feet. It is a harmless behavior with possible underlying causes that you may need help with.
Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet All the Time?
As mentioned before, a dog may lick things if it feels anxious or stressed. Most dog owners won’t stop dog licking feet as it happens and that is a good thing. A dog with anxiety issues can lick you to calm down. Combine that fact with the many odors on your feet as well as how accessible they are to your dog and you’ll start to understand the behavior. This is why all owners should not punish their pooch for it. If the licking occurs very often and is difficult to stop, you should consult your vet or dog trainer. As that can be a signal of underlying anxiety issues for your pooch.
Another reason to consider is how other people react to your dog licking their feet. If your dog has been receiving positive reactions like a laugh (children are very susceptible to this) after licking someone’s feet, it could have learned that licking feet is a great thing! Now whenever your dog wants attention it will be trying to lick more feet to try to get more of those positive reactions.
Licking can also be used by dogs to express submission while some dogs can lick compulsively. If compulsive foot-licking is an issue, you should talk to your vet or dog trainer. It is always good practice to consult your vet to make sure your dog isn’t suffering from anxiety or stress when dealing with any compulsive behaviors.
How to Stop Dog Licking Feet (Or at Least Minimize It)
Now that you have some answers to the question: why do dogs lick your feet. Let’s see how you can reduce the licking to a minimum. The first thing you can do is to clean your feet (with soap) often and dry them right after. This removes a lot of smells as well as pheromones and replaces them with a less interesting soap smell. As we’ve mentioned before, dogs can smell and taste at the same time. Synthesized aroma from human soap is particularly uninteresting because the synthesized scent can smell AND taste terrible for your pooch.
The second thing you can do is to stay calm and ignore your dog. This requires consistency from you and everyone else in the house to work though. Anyone whose feet had been licked by your dog should remain neutral and move away without making eye contact. Calmly leave the room entirely if the licking persists. Body language is a clear message to dogs, remaining calm and providing no response to feet licking sends your dog a message that you do not like this behavior. Over time, your dog can learn to naturally tone down the licking.
Putting It All Together
So why do dogs lick your feet? It could be as simple as something you’ve stepped on or brushed against that is quite pungent. Maybe your pooch licked someone else’s feet and got positive feedback like a laugh or a smile along with some nice pets on the head. It could also be that your furry friend is feeling anxious and wants to calm itself down.
While excessive feet-licking can leave many pet parents asking themselves: why does my dog lick my feet? The one thing not to do is punish your dog for it. Try our suggestions above and make sure anyone that interacts with your dog follows suit too. Consult your vet or a dog behaviorist if feet-licking continues to be an issue and everything will be fine! Feet-licking is normal and it is generally harmless.
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