How to Get a Lovable Dog to Stop Licking

Dogs lick themselves, you and other people for any number of reasons, including stress, skin disorders, nervous habit and simple love of you and others. Enticing creams and lotions on the skin are another reason your dog licks you and other people. There are several methods of training your dog to stop licking via verbal commands, all of which must be rewarded for the dog to learn what it can and cannot do. Keeping your dog healthy and free of biting insects and skin disorders like mange is also essential.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Hot sauce or lemon juice (optional)
  • Dog toys
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Instructions

  1. Train Your Dog to Stop Licking You

    • 1

      Teach your dog the words "lick" and "no lick." Allow your dog to lick you as you train it about the word "lick" and stop the licking session by saying "no lick." Repeat the command if necessary. This teaches your dog that there is a time for licking and times when licking is not acceptable.

    • 2

      Show your dog other ways to get your attention if that is why it licks excessively. This includes rolling over, sitting and giving you its paw. Always reward the dog with attention after teaching it tricks for getting your attention.

    • 3

      Apply something to the skin that tastes bad to the dog, such as hot sauce or lemon juice. This teaches your dog that your skin is unappetizing and to refrain from licking you.

    • 4

      Act as though the licking is hurting you. Say "Don't lick" or "Ouch" every time the dog licks you. Since dogs want to keep their owners happy, most dogs respond to this method.

    • 5

      Take a shower. Unclean skin is attractive to dogs because of the sweat and salt content.

    Train Your Dog to Stop Licking Others

    • 6

      Teach your dog the word "No." Verbally scold the dog, including saying "No" when it licks other people. Praise and reward the dog when it acts appropriately.

    • 7

      Train your dog to sit whenever it enters a room with other people. This helps alleviate the dog's desire to lick others. Praise the dog and give it a treat when it performs the command correctly.

    • 8

      Use a clicker device if necessary to help train the dog not to lick. The clicker can be used to teach the dog to perform a certain command, such as sitting, or to refrain from a certain action, like licking friends and family.

    Train Your Dog to Stop Licking Itself

    • 9

      Bathe your dog regularly, especially if it goes outside frequently. A dog may lick itself incessantly simply because it is dirty, or because it has picked up ticks, fleas or mites. Bathe the dog with a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo if these insects are the cause of the licking.

    • 10

      Comb and brush your dog's hair regularly, as mats and tangled hair can cause trapped sweat and dirt to irritate the skin underneath, thus causing the licking.

    • 11

      Take your dog to the veterinarian if you suspect the licking problem is due to skin disorders such as dermatitis or mange.

    • 12

      Help the dog become comfortable in its surroundings if you think the licking may be due to stress. Stress for dogs can include physical abuse, new adoption, separation anxiety and changes in food/diet. The introduction of a new pet can also cause stress. Expose your dog to being alone for short periods if you believe the licking is due to separation anxiety, and gradually increase these intervals of alone time. You can also have a friend or neighbor walk the dog while you are away so the dog receives extra attention. Give your dog plenty of attention if you think the licking is because of physical abuse or the introduction of a new pet. Also try gradually incorporating a new food into your dog's diet to reduce food and diet-related stress.