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While most of us don’t mind being lightly licked by our furry friend from time to time, a constant licking by a dog can tire you out. Some dogs only lick themselves or people, but others may lick objects, furniture, or even the floor. No one wants a big dog drool stain on the couch. In addition, obsessive licking can also cause health problems for your dog, such as irritated skin or hair loss. Therefore, it should not be ignored.
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Why is your dog licking?
If your dog just licks you and doesn’t lick anything else, it’s most likely because you haven’t been trained. Licking can be a way to get your attention or show affection, but it can be problematic if they do it excessively. Also, licking people is reinforcing dogs because they think you’re delicious. Dogs love the salty taste in our sweat and if you just ate, they can taste the food on your fingers and face.
However, if your dog licks anything and everything, including themselves and random objects, there could be an underlying cause. Our 12-year-old Sheltie has what we affectionately call AGE dog syndrome (obsessive licking disorder). But seriously, her licking is a side effect of her health problems. We knew her dose was not right when she started licking everything, including herself. She also developed a rash on her stomach from being licked repeatedly. For us, it was a hint we needed to adjust her medication.
However, not all dog licking is a sign of illness or necessity. Some dogs do it because they are bored or stressed.
How to stop excessive licking
If your dog only occasionally licks your hands or their paws, it’s probably not a concern. However, if their licking behavior upsets you, causes them to drool all over the house, or irritates their skin, training is necessary. Stopping excessive licking is about making expectations clear and consistent. Here are a few steps to take.
However, if your dog licks anything they can lick, take them to the vet first. That way, you can rule out any health-related issues before you start working out.
First – Don’t encourage licking
While we love dog kisses, you may want to stop encouraging such licking for a while to get your dog in the habit of licking less. So don’t let your dog kiss your nose when you get home or lick peanut butter off your fingers. If your dog starts licking something too much, turn their attention to something lickable, such as a chew toy or snack.
If your dog is particularly fond of licking you, make your skin less accessible to them. Wear long sleeves and pants when possible, at least until your dog understands not to lick. Wash your hands and face after touching food to remove appealing tastes.
Second – Create a training plan
You have several options. If you like dogs licking you, you can teach your dog to suggest “kiss”. Then you can reward your dog only one when they lick you at the right time. That way, they will learn that licking is only allowed when ordered.
If you never want your dog to lick you, you can work on a car to let it go. With that method, you’ll tell your dog to “drop it” whenever they try to lick something they shouldn’t. If not, you can work on leaving it on as often as possible, which means your dog is allowed to lick but needs to stop when you ask. It is up to you to decide which is best for you and your child.
Third – Keep the principle of consistency
After choosing how to handle your dog’s licking behavior, you need to make sure that everyone in the family is on the same page. This includes guests. If people come and let your dog lick them even though you’ve tried otherwise to train your furry friend, you’ll have a harder time training. So be sure to let people know what to expect for your dog’s licking behavior.
With enough patience and consistency, you’ll start to notice your dog licking less.
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