Dogs lick their owner’s feet when they get back home because it signifies welcome and pure joy. When the dog sees the owner, they are so happy to see them that they lick their feet as a sign of affection.

There are other reasons for your dog licking your feet and this article will address those reasons.

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Why Dog’s Lick Your Feet

Sweating

Dogs do not sweat by themselves. They sweat only through their paws or nose. So, when you are sweating, your dog will taste your sweat and lick it off.

Gone for a Long Time

Your dog misses you so much that they start licking your feet as a sign of affection and love! It is a way to welcome you home and say hello after a long day!

To Get Attention

If you have been ignoring your dog for a while, then this is the best way to get some attention from you! They will run over and lick your feet with the hopes of getting you to play with them.

You Are Injured

If you got injured or hurt your feet in any way, then the dog will lick your feet to clean up the wound! It’s like how humans clean wounds with water or saline solution in hospitals! This is their way of trying to help you.

Due to Separation Anxiety

Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety tend to lick their owners more often because they miss them so much that they cannot help themselves but do this act of affection over and over again. So, if your dog licks your feet more than necessary even after coming back home from work, then there is a high chance he suffers from separation anxiety disorder (SAD).

This means that he feels very depressed when left alone at home without his owner around him. This may also be caused due to various other reasons, such as being teased by other dogs or humans who don’t like dogs at all.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Owners’ Feet When They Are Nervous?

Dogs lick their owners’ feet to calm themselves down. The licking helps them relax. When a dog licks your feet, it shows you they are comfortable with you and gets some attention from you.

A dog that licks your feet when you are talking to them might be a sign that they have a problem with what you are saying or doing. They might be trying to tell you that they need something from you, such as food or water or maybe even encouragement.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Owners’ Feet When They Feel Neglected?

When a dog licks your feet, it could mean that the dog feels neglected by you. If you do not spend enough time with your dog, they will feel sad and lonely and do things like licking your feet as an act of seeking affection and attention.

Many dogs lick their owners’ feet when they come back home because they are showing their affection. They are expressing that they are happy to see their owner again. Your dog also says that they missed you and want to be close to you again. Licking the owner’s feet is a way for the dog to get its owner’s attention.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Owners’ Feet When They Are Being Trained?

Dogs lick their owners’ feet as a way of showing that they understand what you are telling them. Dogs will sometimes lick their owners’ feet if they have learned something new and want to show that they have learned it.

Don’t Encourage Them

Many dogs lick their owners’ feet when they come back home because they are showing their affection. They are expressing that they are happy to see their owner again. Your dog also says that they missed you and want to be close to you again. Try to ignore your dog’s behavior. If your dog sees that you are not paying attention, they will stop doing the behavior.

Do not give in to your dog’s licking, and do not pet them or give them any treats after they lick you. This will reinforce their behavior and make them do it more often.

Solutions to Help Stop it

Licking is usually a sign of affection in dogs. They lick their owners to show love and are happy to see them after being away. A dog may also lick the owner’s feet because they are trying to get attention or are anxious about something.

Here are some things you can do to help stop your dog from licking your feet:

• Teach your dog not to lick strangers. You can teach this by having strangers come over, let the dog lick their feet for a second, then step back and say “no.” Repeat this process until the dog no longer licks the person’s feet.
• Teach your dog that licking is not allowed on people. When it is time for you or anyone else to come home, tell the dog “no” before they start licking and give them a verbal warning if they continue. If it continues, punish them with an obedience correction like a “No” or “Sit.”
• If the licking is due to anxiety, it could be because of something specific in your household or outside it. Try figuring out what is causing the anxiety and removing it to stop the licking.
• Try giving your dog a special treat when you come home to reward them for not licking your feet.

If your dog continues to lick your feet, talk to a professional trainer or veterinarian about stopping the licking. There could be a specific reason why they are doing it, and they will be able to help you fix the problem.

Final Thoughts

Dogs love to lick their owners, but it can be hard to get them to stop licking your feet when you come home. You can train your dog not to lick you by preventing them from licking for about 5 minutes after you get back home. You can do this by trying to avoid them when you enter the house.

When they try to lick you, spray them with water in the face. When they stop licking, praise them. Be sure to keep the spray bottle with you when you come home so that you can use it if necessary.