Licking After Grooming

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

One of Lola's many eccentricities ... after I get done brushing her, she will shake herself off and then start trying to lick me all over, on my head, face, arms, legs, etc.  She kind of uses her teeth even and gently pulls at the hair on my head while kind of sniffing and licking at the same time.  It's funny and weird but it tickles.  I used to think she was trying to appease me or distract me from brushing her ... but now I don't think that is it, because she doesn't mind being brushed any more and for the most part will wait patiently for me to finish.  As strange as this sounds, it almost seems like she is trying to groom me back.  Does anyone else's doodle do this? 

[Becka]

It does sound like she's trying to groom you--returning the favor, so to speak! It sounds adorable!

[Kyoko]

My groomer said Charlie does this when she has enough of brushing and she does not want the groomer to continue.

She said Charlie would position her head just so and lick her face, hands, etc... so the groomer cannot see what she is doing and have to stop for a second !!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

She probably is trying to groom you back BUT, licking is generally a dominant behavior. I never really knew how the expression started "give you a lickin' " until I got my alpha girl Amber. She will intimidate the puppies around here when they are too rowdy and once they flipped for her, she proceeds to wash their faces. I have seen her do that to some of the older girls too, but not often and no one ever fights and no one ever challenges Amber either. 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Lola is very dominant and also a licker.  She def. does that.  It's actually pretty hilarious when she tries to put a bigger dog's head in her mouth and treat it like her puppy.  I think she kind of saying you are going to groom me ... what about if I groom YOU?  Although, my beagle was very submissive and also a licker.  I think they lick for different reasons, including because that's how they got food from their mother.