Why Does My Dog Lick My Face Aggressively?

Our dogs exhibit plenty of lovable behaviors, from their adorable tail wags to their nose nudges and happy-go-lucky barks. However, there are some behaviors that may cause alarm for pet owners, such as licking faces aggressively.

In most cases, your dog licking your face aggressively isn’t a cause for concern, but it can indicate an underlying health problem or behavioral issue in some circumstances.

What Causes My Dog to Lick My Face Aggressively?

Licking is a natural behavior seen in dogs. While licking isn’t exactly how we humans engage with the world, for our canine companions, it’s a way that they can make sense of their surroundings. They also lick to show their affection, gain attention, and self-groom themselves.

Chances are, your dog is simply licking your face aggressively because they want you to focus on them or are simply excited by your presence. However, other possible causes include:

• There’s something “appetizing” on your face (think sweat, cookie crumbs, or icing sugar from a donut).
• They’re bored and aren’t getting enough mental stimulation throughout the day.
• They are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, and are licking your face as a self-soothing behavior or to indicate their distress.
• They may be in pain due to an underlying health issue.

Interesting Fact: If your dog is adopted and has a history as a service dog, it’s possible that their excessive licking is actually them performing a trained task! Service dogs can be taught to excessively lick their handler as a grounding technique. They may also excessively lick when they’re alerting their handler to potential dangers or changes in their mood or health.

Determining the Root Cause

It’s not always easy to identify the cause of your pup’s excessive face licking, but there are a few signs to watch out for.

If your dog’s aggressive licking occurs when you’re just about to leave the house — or there’s a change in their environment (think fireworks or a stranger visiting) — they’re likely experiencing anxiety. This is especially the case if the licking is accompanied by excessive barking, whining, or destructive habits like scratching.

However, if your pup licks you aggressively throughout the day, then their behavior may be related to an underlying health issue.

Other signs of an underlying health issue include:

• Appetite loss, lethargy, excessive panting, or chewing difficulties (the latter indicates a dental problem).
• Protective over a specific area of their body that mayay indicate an injury.
• Reluctance to climb stairs, gait changes, or difficulties rising that may indicate a mobility-related condition such as arthritis or hip dysplasia.
• Scratching or chewing at their paws, ears, or skin that canay suggest allergies, especially if accompanied by visible irritation like redness or fur loss.

If your dog is showing any of these signs, it’s important to schedule them for a vet appointment as soon as possible.

To rule out boredom, consider if your dog is having their core needs met. Most dogs require at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, though high-energy breeds like border collies and Siberian huskies may even need at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily to feel well-rested and content.

You should also make sure you’re taking time to bond with your pup throughout the day, ideally in the form of training and interactive games like fetch.

How to Ease Anxiety-Related Face Licking

If your dog is experiencing anxiety, there are a few things you can try to help ease their distress:

• Provide them with a safe, comfortable space that they can retreat to when things get overwhelming.
• Stick to a consistent routine, ensuring you feed them and walk them at the same time every day.
• Avoid leaving your dog alone for long periods of time (or hire a dogsitter to supervise them).
• Ensure they always have access to interactive toys such as puzzle games, treat-stuffed chews (though be careful not to give them too many treats; breed-specific feeding guides, like this one from Dog Academy, can help you know the right amount), and snuffle mats. Games will help distract them from their anxiety and provide a great source of mental stimulation.

How to Train My Dog to Stop Licking My Face Aggressively

If you’ve determined that your dog’s excessive licking isn’t related to anxiety or pain, you can work on minimizing the behavior through reward-based training:

1. Don’t show your dog any attention when they lick your face.
2. The moment they stop licking, use the “stop” or “leave it” command and reward them with treats and praise.
3. Redirect their attention; give them a puzzle toy or ask them to perform a trick.
4. Repeat until your dog understands the connection and the behavior is minimized.

Be mindful that it’s impossible to stop your pup’s licking completely. Licking is a natural behavior and is their way of showing their love for you!

Closing Thoughts

While aggressive face licking can be a sign of stress, boredom, or physical illness, in most cases, it isn’t a cause for concern. Take them to a vet to rule out health issues and ensure their core needs are met. You should also provide your pup with a safe, anxiety-relieving space where they can relax.