Why do dogs lick people?

One of the most common reasons that dogs lick people is that licking is a form of communication. When a dog is born its mother generally begins licking it immediately. This stimulates breathing, and is also how the mother dog cleans her puppies after their birth.

Dogs that are domestic generally lick their owners and other people as a sign of affection. Others simply like the salty taste of a person's skin, especially if the person is sweaty. However, there are some dogs that lick excessively because they are anxious, bored or are experiencing pain or allergies. In this case, the dog may need to be taken to a vet.