As an owner of this cute breed, you’re probably familiar with their daily kisses, but have you ever wondered what’s really behind them?
It might seem like an adorable expression of love, but there could be more to the whole “why does my Pug lick me so much” story.
Is your Puggo just trying to get your attention or could there be a deeper message?
Join us on a pawesome adventure to discover the reasons behind your Pug’s slobbery smooches!
Why Does My Pug Lick Me So Much 11 Common Reasons
Besides barking, growling, whining, and crying, our lovely Pugs speak to us by licking our hands, face, and even feet! Some owners think it is cute, while others are not very fond of this rather weird behavior.
Nevertheless, let’s check out why they do it!
1. Attention-Seeking Madness
Here’s the thing – Pugs are very affectionate dogs and may become needy and clingy, especially if you spoil them. Let’s be real, it’s hard not to spoil these cuties.
If they notice that you are not paying attention to them as much as you did about 5 minutes ago, they will get all up in your face or even sit on top of you to make you notice them.
This form of Pug attention seeking behavior is followed by tail wagging and licking you excessively. It is as if they are saying “Leave whatever that you are doing and get back here and love me!”
You may notice that they won’t want to leave your side for a while, so it is better to simply comply and give them the attention. However, do not make this a habit or you will end up with a super-needy pooch that may not take it lightly when you are not around.
2. You Smell Strange
Our canine friends can pick up millions of strange scents that we are incapable of smelling.
So, while you are probably unaware of the smell, your Pug will pick it up in a matter of seconds.
Have you just played with the neighbor’s dog? How dare you?! Your Puggo will do whatever it takes to get that strange smell off of you, even if it includes licking you excessively!
3. You Taste Exquisite
Like it or not, your skin tastes great and your Pug seems to be enjoying the salty taste.
No matter if it is your legs, face, or hands, your skin produces a certain amount of sweat, which our canine pals find tasty. Does this sound yucky to you? Well, to me, a bit, yes.
While there is nothing wrong with the reasons behind Pugs licking you, you should pay attention to whether there are some toxic substances on your skin such as detergent, mosquito repellent, or alcohol.
4. They Love You
Oh what a lucky Pug owner you are! Your dear furry friends heckin’ love you so much that it simply can not stop kissing you! This is among the cutest Pug behaviors and many owners do not have a problem with it.
But, there is another reason why they are showing you attention this way.
Both male and female Pugs inherited this behavior from their wild ancestors. They are pack animals and they lick their babies to stimulate proper digestion and to mark them as theirs. This is simply how they show love, care, and affection.
5. It’s Playtime
Your Pug may be licking you because he is inviting you to a duel! Dogs take their playtime pretty seriously, and if their partners do not feel like playing, they will do whatever it takes to make them!
From playful bows, happy tail wagging, to even licking other dog’s pee, Pugs have their ways to persuade anyone to play with them!
When they want to run around with other canines, you may see them licking each other’s ears as an official invitation to some good ol’ playtime.
6. Fear Or Stress Kicking In
Now for the not-so-fun reasons behind Pug licking. Canine fears and phobias come in many forms and it can be displayed through different behavioral patterns.
It is no wonder that a dog’s excessive licking is a result of emotional stimuli: when they feel afraid or stressed, they will rush to the safest place, which is you!
Some dogs may hide under the bed, others may rush to their crate, and some will simply lick their owners for comfort.
7. Showing Submissive Behavior
Submissive behavior is perfectly normal in all dog breeds, including our friendly Pugs. It can be seen through different tail and ear positions, as well as whining or licking behavior.
When your Pug licks you, he probably sees you as the alpha leader of the pack, so he is showing gratitude towards you.
Besides licking, your pooch may also show submissive urination signs and trust me, this is a behavioral problem that is far worse than submissive licking.
8. Learned Behavior Or Even OCD
This one might come off as a surprise, but Pugs can develop Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is a form of repetitive behavior.
In this case, we are talking about excessive licking. Whether the dog is licking you, other dogs or grooming himself excessively, it could be a sign that he has developed this disorder.
However, it is worth noting that OCD is more frequent in dogs that are more anxious by nature, such as Chihuahuas and there are not as many Pugs affected by this problem.
On the other hand, these pups can simply learn that licking you = getting praise or treats, and this is entirely your mistake. They learn that excessive licking is a good thing because you react to it in a positive way.
9. Sign Of Illness Or Pain
One of the most serious and important reasons behind Pug licking behavior is the development of certain health problems. You see, Pugs are prone to skin problems, respiratory issues, and obesity, all of which can play a huge role on their overall metabolism (one chronic disease may bring another, etc).
They may come to lick you as a form of telling you that they are not feeling good. You may notice your dog smells like fish when he gets close to you, which could be a sign of a certain digestive problem or a urinary tract infection.
If you notice your dog’s breath smells awful, then you may suspect dental issues as well.
All in all, it may be a good thing your sick Pug is getting all up and personal – you can smell if there is something odd going on.
10. Separation Anxiety Blues
Oh, separation anxiety, you evil witch! It creeps into your Pug’s crate like a disease, and before you know it, your sweet little furball is sad and feeling all kinds of terrible emotions.
Your dog is licking you because he missed you and it is hard for him to comprehend you leaving again.
These feelings are so intense that next time your Pug senses you’re about to jet off on a solo adventure, they might shower you in kisses just to make you stay. It may sound cute, but separation anxiety is a serious matter that needs to be prevented in the early days.
11. Grooming You
Uhm, no offense, but you need a shower! That’s probably what your Pug is trying to tell you when he’s on his mission of licking you.
Even though dogs do not groom themselves as much as cats do, they still feel the need to give themselves a bath every now and then.
Since you are part of the pack, they may also feel the need to bathe you!
It is all fun and games until your dog licks his butt and then proceeds to lick your face! Ugh!
The Final Lick
As you can see, there could be a ton of reasons why your Pug licks you so much, but most of them are just harmless expressions of love and excitement.
Think of it this way, your pawesome friend is basically telling you that you’re the apple of their eye and the top dog in their lives. Who wouldn’t love that kind of attention, right?
However, if the licking starts to reach a level of obsession, it could indicate deeper health issues like OCD or anxiety.
So, if you’re feeling a bit worried, it’s always a good idea to check in with your trusty vet to make sure that there aren’t any health concerns.