Why Does a Dog Lick You After Your Bath?

1 Overview

Today we learn why dogs lick their owner after a bath. First, as the owner, rinse all the body wash off so the dog doesn’t lick residue.

It wants to clean you. We know dogs lick to clean themselves.

A skill the mother teaches from birth – she licks to trigger the puppy’s potty. Not that it wants you to go, just to be cleaner.

This happens only where dog and owner are close.

It likes water – dogs are that simple.

If it prefers licking the wet bathroom floor, it’s a water-loving dog – or simply thirsty.

It cares. Beyond triggering potty, a mother’s licking mostly shows love.

Same with your dog – it may lick your hand, face, or post-bath self; especially the leftover droplets worry it, as if concerned they’d harm you.

It likes the smell

Body washes come in more scents than the indecisive can bear, but the dog sees it differently.

A dog’s nose reads many components of a scent, so when it licks post-bath you, it’s likely curious about the wash’s smell.

Doubt it? Switch washes, or skip one.

It shows submission – quite common.

Dogs show submission many ways, licking among them. Licking also releases endorphins, giving the dog happiness and contentment.

Is it really okay to let it lick after a bath?

If you don’t apply skin products after, and you rinsed the wash off well, let it lick.

But if you do use skin products, don’t let it lick – they go straight from tongue to gut and cause reactions.