Dogs instinctively lick us for many reasons. They initially lick not to show affection but as a means of greeting behavior, appease their other pack members or learn about them, what they've been eating or take in more scent or show extreme submission. They lick because they enjoy human's salty taste or to soothe themselves - for something to do. After a while of living with humans, I honestly think some of them learn that we see it as a show of affection or good and appease us with licking to possibly show affection but that is mere surmise on my part.
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |