Why does your dog lick you? It's not out of affection. The real reason revealed by an expert surprises many owners.

A dog licking your hands or face is often interpreted as a sign of affection. However, animal behavior experts warn that this belief may be misleading.

According to Alba Fernández, founder of Olfateando el Mundo , a project dedicated to respectful canine training, licking often hides a different message: discomfort, concern, or the need to communicate something that humans rarely perceive.

For years, the idea that dogs lick as a sign of love has been spread. However, Fernández clarifies that this gesture is often misinterpreted.

"When a dog licks your hands, it's often saying, 'That hand is worrying me, I want to know where you're going to put it,'" explains the expert. In other words, rather than unconditional affection, the animal may be trying to process a situation that's causing uncertainty or indecision .

One of the most common problems, according to Fernández, is that humans tend to humanize and romanticize canine behavior, overlooking more subtle signals. While growls or barks are easily recognized as warnings, gestures like turning the face, yawning, or licking their lips are often overlooked.

This lack of understanding forces the dog to increase its body language, which can lead to more aggressive or reactive behavior if not listened to in time.

The specialist suggests a simple exercise: slowly approach the dog with your hand and observe its reaction. If the animal appears relaxed or seeks closer contact, it likely enjoys the contact. If, on the other hand, it immediately licks your hand or avoids eye contact, it may be indicating that it is uncomfortable.

Thus, licking is not an automatic gesture of affection, but rather a form of communication that must be interpreted by its owner.

Fernández's reflection suggests that understanding your pet's language is key to improving the relationship between humans and dogs. "Not paying attention to these signals can lead to more serious and intense consequences for the dog's behavior," he points out.

Therefore, she invites owners to carefully observe their pets' daily gestures and stop interpreting each lick as a simple caress.

Daniel Alejandro Bonilla Martínez

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