lick alone but the surrounding body language.
So yes, it can be a “kiss”… but sometimes your dog is really saying something very different.
Dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and taste. Sometimes they lick simply because your skin tastes interesting.
It May Be a Stress Signal
Some dogs lick excessively when nervous.
If licking happens alongside:
yawning
avoiding eye contact
tucked tail
lip licking
pacing
it may signal anxiety rather than affection.
What Studies Show
Research into canine social behavior suggests licking can play multiple roles beyond
