A good dog licking is a wonderful sign of affection for some, a gross germ spreader for others. Many dogs love licking their owners, and the German Shepherd is no exception.
German Shepherds lick for affection, attention, to soothe themselves, and for various other reasons. It’s an all-around social bonding experience for them that shows that they love you. You can train it out of them, but it’s good to understand why they are licking in the first place.
Most of the reasons why German Shepherds lick their owners are obvious, but some of the reasons and how to stop it are trickier to understand. Read on to learn more about this behavior.
Reasons my German Shepherd licks me so much
There are many different reasons your German Shepherd may lick you so much. The most common one is just for love and affection. Especially if you’ve been away all day, they will want to show how much they want you to stay around.
Sometimes, they are even licking to investigate what food has left its trace on your hands or face. They can get a lot of information through smell and touch, hence why you’ll often catch them sniffing and licking you.
However, there are plenty of other reasons they may lick you so much that we can explore.
They want to greet you or show you affection
The most apparent reason for licking is to show you affection. They use it as a greeting and a way to confirm their social bond with you. When they are licking you, they show their best sign of affection and are trying to find a way to be close to you. In that way, it’s not unlike kissing for us humans.
It can be gross to get licked by dogs but understand that their mouths have fewer germs than human mouths. So if you’re ok with kissing another person, chances are germs aren’t the biggest problem for you.
They find it soothing and calming for them
Another reason they do it is that it is calming and assuring for them. By licking you, they are focusing their anxieties on a task and trying to keep you around to soothe them even further. It gives them a way to try to keep you at home as much as possible, even if it’s not very convenient for you!
They may also lick you when they are sad or unwell to soothe themselves. This can lead to highly excessive licking in severe cases, indicating something is seriously wrong.
Sometimes they’ll do this after they’ve been frightened or when someone else that they like has left the house. This can be normal but is also something to watch out for as it can signify intense separation anxiety.
They lick their owners to strengthen social bonds
Licking you can also be attention-seeking behavior. If you’ve been ignoring them, licking is a way to get your attention to their needs.
It is their way to strengthen the social bonds between the two of you, and when you ignore them, they turn to lick to remind you of that bond.
Over time, they hope you’ll better understand their needs and pay attention to them when they need it.
Licking can be a sign of submission
Sometimes after you’ve punished them, your German Shepherd will seek to lick you a lot afterward. This is their understanding they’ve done something wrong and seeking forgiveness.
It’s a sign of submission that they’ve understood they’re being punished and are trying to win back your affection.
There are different schools of thought about dogs regarding submission and dominance. It should be noted, however, that your German Shepherd can be thoroughly trained and love you without resorting to intense forms of submission.
Your German Shepherd could be anxious
Because licking is soothing for German Shepherds, they often lick people when they are feeling anxious to relieve stress. It distracts them from their anxieties and gives them something to do.
You might notice them licking a lot when they’ve had a bit of a scare or in a period of transition, like when people are leaving the house, or new people have arrived.
Long-term, this can become prevalent when someone they love has died, their owner has changed, or if they were poorly treated.
Licking can be an act of dominance
Generally, licking is an act of submission, but sometimes the level of attention your German Sheperd craves can lead it to become an act of dominance. It’s uncommon, but there are a lot of attention-seeking behaviors dogs can do to try to get what they want.
It can be essential to listen to them, but sometimes enough is enough, and it’s time to put your foot down. You can put them in another room or distract them with other exciting things to help take back control.
If licking becomes excessive, it could be a sign of anxiety or illness
Sometimes if your German Shepherd is licking excessively, it could indicate a severe illness or heavy level of stress. They are trying to soothe themselves as much as possible while also getting your attention that something is wrong.
It could be time for a vet visit if they are licking excessively for a prolonged period.
You can often tell something’s wrong by the way they are licking you, if it seems abnormal or like they are desperately trying to soothe some form of pain.
How to stop my German Shepherd from licking me so much?
A German Shepherd can lick excessively; however, there are some simple things you can do to stop them from licking so much.
Redirect their attention
One of the big reasons they are licking you so much is because they are trying to soothe some internal anxiety or looking for attention.
The simple way to deal with this is to redirect their attention. For example, start playing with them, give them some toys, or exhaust them with exercise. These options will redirect their emotions and provide them with an outlet for all those feelings inside them.
Punishment is unnecessary during training, and simply redirecting their attention to a walk, toy, or other activity will break the habit of their coming to lick you over time.
Provide them with toys and treats
The easiest solution is giving them toys and treats, which will surely occupy their minds more than licking.
One of the things they get from licking is using their mental faculties. The other major thing they get is an emotional connection. So toys can provide them with some mental occupation while also giving them a bit of physical exercise on top.
Something like a kong with some peanut butter inside is an excellent choice because they will get the mental stimulation of figuring out how to get the peanut butter out and get the emotional kick of a treat, which can help ease their anxieties.
Ensure they get Plenty of Exercise (physical and mental)
Exercise can tire out not only their bodies but also their minds. A German Shepherd is a big dog that needs plenty of exercise. They are vigilant dogs that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation.
A good half of their daily exercise on a brisk walk and half of their daily activity through play or training is a good mix. They are incredibly obedient and trainable dogs, so using some of the time on training is a great choice.
If they get adequate exercise, they are less likely to feel anxiety or need extra attention. The joy a German Shepherd will get from the exercise also plays a mental role, lessening their need to soothe by licking. This means their tendency to go in for the lick will also be curbed.
Consult your local vet if you are concerned
Rarely does licking itself become a massive concern in itself, except that it can indicate a serious illness or mental unwellness in your pup. Usually, you’ll be able to tell if this is the case, as they will act strangely in addition to the licking, such as having low energy or looking frightened or in pain.
This is because your German Shepherd may be using it to soothe a severe problem within them. Schedule a visit with your vet if the behavior persists.
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Final thoughts
Licking is an entirely natural activity for your dog, and many owners love the attention. However, some people want a bit more control over how often their dog tries to lick them, and that’s where our tips and tricks come in.
You can train the habit of licking out of your German Shepherd, but it’s good to be aware of the reasons they do it so you can better understand what’s going on in their heads.
Sometimes they use it to communicate something important, and you don’t want to lose that form of communication.
