Dogs lick to clean themselves, taste, show affection or from habit, according to Pet Place. A dog may also lick to try to relieve pain or irritation from a sore or wound. If he has sutures, licking may open the incision and infection may occur. Perfect Paws indicates that training methods can eliminate the behavior if it is habitual. There are also a number of products to stop a dog from licking.
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Topical Treatments
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Spray products, such as Chew Guard, have an unpleasant taste that deters dogs from licking. Some products are intended for use on furniture and other objects, and others are made to use directly on your dog. Pet Place indicates that lemon juice, hot sauce or cayenne pepper may also work. You should consult your veterinarian prior to using any of these items on your dog. When purchasing a spray product, Dog Time recommends checking to be certain that it is non-toxic.
Coverings
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In some cases, bandaging a wound can prevent a dog from licking. A company called Wound Wear sells a suit that will cover a wound on the dog̵7;s torso to stop him from licking himself. They have full suits and suits that only cover the front of the dog. According to Pet Place, a t-shirt may also be used to cover the dog. It may be necessary to tape the shirt snugly to keep it in place.
Collars
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Neck collars may be used to keep a dog from being able to reach a wound on his body, such as an Elizabethan collar shaped like a lampshade. There are also inflatable protective collars that serve the same purpose without being as cumbersome, however they may permit the dog to reach certain areas. The type of collar to be used depends on the location of the wound.
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