I have a 10 month old Maltese puppy called Billy. The thing is, he has a habit of licking people. I'm not talking about a quick lick to show he likes someone. I'm talking about the fact that he licks people for half an hour, just licking. I find this habit very strange. He only licks arms and legs. Does anyone know why he does it? And do all Maltese do it?  *louise, armagh, NI*

I've got a cocker spaniel that does exactly the same, it gets very annoying :-) even her daughter has started doing now!!

So if anybody does have any suggestions as to why they are doing it, I would love to hear......lol.

One of my dogs is a licker too (mainly does it to me....but she has a habit of stopping mid-lick and just leaving her tongue on me!!) - sorry, I don't know why they do it, but I like to think it's because she loves me so much ;)

I have an american cocker who does the same- I have heard it suggested that its a display of submissiveness, but I'm not 100% on that!  At first, it's cute, but after a while-it just looses its appeal!

All my dogs have done it at some time or another, but more so it hot or humid weather. I can only assume they are naturally trying to stop dehydration by licking the skin which releases salt through the pores. In hot countries it is quite common for animals to be given special salt tablets to combat dehydration.

Kay

This is a natural process, Please do not give your dogs any salt. Just plenty of water.

could be because we have a lot of salt in sweat could be definciency