Licking

[Engel Family]

Hi. Our dog Merlin, a 3-year-old F1B mini goldendoodle, licks a lot. When he comes for a pat, he tends to want to lick your hand when you try to pet him and is pretty persistent. Is this an issue generally with doodles?

[Janice Allocco-Ange]

I know other little dogs that do this that aren't poodle mixes. Both my miniature doodles lick, but my two year old really only licks you when you greet her. Sometimes in the middle of the night she'll lick my husband's head while he's sleeping! She never licks me when I'm sleeping. My 8 month old licks more. I'm hoping that it lessens as she gets older. I always wondered about the licking issue. Why do some lick so much?

[Ken Seversen]

I was told that they are licking b/c of the salt on our skins.  It's definitely so for cats.  And it sure isn't "kissing."

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I don't think it's all doodles but I'd be very pleased if ours licked our hand. She jumps right on your lap and goes for the face!

Nonstop and also very persistent! I'm trying to teach her hugs, no more kisses! But then again she licks the carpet in our office all the time too!! Myla is also 3 yrs old . Our 4 yr old, if she licks you it's like 2 little ones and that's it.

[Ken Seversen]

Not mine.  We sort of discouraged licking, aka: "kissing," early on and she doesn't do it to us though she smacks her lips which is entirely funny.  For others, she licks.