If it is random and isn't continuous, he is showing his affection. In a wild wolf pack, the submissive wolves will lick the alphas jaw to show submission. Him licking you is a sign of affection and submission(he doesnt have to lick your jaw to show submission, it can be anywhere). If this describes your dog, :) he loves you and accepts you as his pack leader! Congrats!
However, if it ever gets continuous and he doesn't stop, thats called an obsession and isn't very healthy to him mentally. If that ever happens I strongly recommend pushing him gently away and ignoring him when he does it, dogs are smart, and he will soon learn that him licking you continuously is a behavior you do not want him to practice.
This can be due to at least a couple different reasons that I am aware of one is due to lack of salt, the other is due to having fleas. So to treat for both reasons I would add a bit of salt to their daily food given (sprinkle with salt shaker) , then as far as fleas be sure to use a good product such as Frontline, k-9 Advantix, etc. The cheap ones are not the way to go as they only work in the short term, wheras the more expensive work in the long term, (also preventing eggs from forming/hatching in the first place) I have used many different products and to my knowledge and belief k-9 advantix is the best stuff on the market !!! Dry skin can also be a cause of licking so be sure not to bathe your dog using more than the recommended amount of soap, also never bath a dog more than 1 time in a 2 month period, unlike humans to much bathing results in dryer skin. I use bath wipes made especially for dogs in between baths to keep my dogs feeling/looking fresh without the harmful effects of too much soap. Wishing you and your dog/dogs a happy, healthy life. Thanks for taking time to read my response!!!
There are many reasons to why dogs like people usually its a signal of communication: A sign of acceptance and and a sign of needing or wanting something. Usually wen you meet a dog and they like you they well lick you which of course is a sign of acceptance. I mean obviously we have come to some conclusions that when a dog licks you it something positive because if they are licking you they're not going to turn around and bite you next. But the list can go on you never know what the real answer is to this question.
My dog will go on periods where he licks carpets and furniture. can't keep tongue in mouth. don't think its a issue with stress. Maybe every other month.
Well it depends how often he/she is doing it. Your dog could feel the need to protect you and that is the way that he feels he can protect you. If your dog carries on doing it, it might be a good thing to go to your local vet and ask a few questions about the situation.
I was just reading about that the other day and it said a dog can tell more about a person and it is soothing like when they were young and there mother did it to them my dog does this too
