Paw licking is one of the most common behaviors pet parents notice—but when is it normal, and when is it a red flag?

While occasional licking is part of a dog’s natural grooming behavior, chronic or obsessive licking may point to deeper underlying issues. Understanding the why behind this behavior is key to supporting your dog’s health and comfort.

Your dog’s official name might be Luna, Max, or Mochi.
But if you’re like most dog parents, you probably have a whole library of nicknames you use instead.

Think:

• "Sir Sniffsalot"

• "Mr. Wiggles"

• "Cheese Monster"

• "Boop Machine 3000"

These affectionate titles may seem silly on the surface—but they’re actually a deeply human behavior that plays an important role in attachment, communication, and emotional bonding.

Whether you’re gone for 5 hours or 5 minutes, your dog reacts like you’ve returned from a long journey.
The bouncing. The tail wags. The happy grumbles. It’s not just adorable — it’s meaningful.

The way you reconnect with your dog after being apart plays a critical role in their mental and emotional stability. In fact, dogs interpret your reunion cues as confirmation of their security, status, and bond with you.

Your dog may not speak English, but make no mistake — they’re constantly interpreting your words, your tone, and your energy. In fact, studies show that the average dog can understand between 165 to 250 human words, and some extraordinary pups can learn over 1,000 unique commands.

That means your dog may be operating at the cognitive level of a two to two-and-a-half-year-old human child. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating — dogs don’t just hear words; they comprehend meaning, intention, and emotion.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll be right back, don’t worry,” or “You’re being dramatic,” to your dog? Maybe you narrate your morning routine to them like they're your fluffy little roommate. If that’s you, we have good news:

You're not crazy. You’re emotionally intelligent.
And there’s science to prove it.