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2. Instinct

Part of the reason dogs lick people may be rooted in instinctive behaviors. Wolf cubs lick their mothers' mouths to signal that they're hungry or thirsty and that behavior may remain to a small degree in modern dogs. Mother wolves and dogs also lick their puppies to keep them clean and to stimulate urination and defecation when they're very young, so it may be an instinctive sign of protection and love.

instinct lick people levers2007 / Getty Images

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