Dog Training for Obsessive Licking

Fido's slobbery kisses may be irritating, but licking is a completely natural behavior for dogs. Dogs lick their owners (or even strangers) for a variety of reasons. According to Teach Your Human, "Dogs use their tongues to explore the world. A dog's tongue is as important (and useful) to him as our eyes and hands are to us." Usually licking is tolerable, but some dogs overdo it and lick excessively. It's important that owners understand the reasons for their pup's behavior so they can take the proper steps to reverse it.

  1. Biological Factors

    • Experts believe that licking is part of dogs' evolutionary history. In his Petplace article "Is Your Dog Licking or Kissing," Dr. Nicholas Dodman says that after giving birth, licking creates a bond between mother and child. It also helped dogs remain invisible to predators who might smell them otherwise. Although these instincts are not necessary to many domesticated dogs, they are ingrained in their biological history and still seen today.

    Psychological Factors

    • When dogs feel anxious, stressed or unhappy, they may develop obsessive-compulsive tendencies, including excessive licking. If your dog is not getting enough attention or lacks mental or physical stimulation, it may lick you to get your attention. When a dog undergoes a traumatic event, it may lick you because it is suffering from psychological stress.

    Identifying the Cause

    • It is important to understand the cause of your dog's licking before you take action or try to get it to stop this behavior.

      If you identify that your dog may be having psychological issues, the problem of licking can sometimes be alleviated by simply being home more often, paying it more attention or making time for more exercise.

      It's possible that your dog licks you because it enjoys the taste of your body lotion, soap or the salt on your skin, in which case you may want to reconsider the products you use.

      If your dog is simply expressing his love or licking has become a habit, training may be required.

    Solutions

    • There are several training methods that can help you to break your pup of the licking habit.

      Try changing your body language when your pup licks. Decide on a short phrase your dog can identify and learn to recognize (such as "No lick!"). When it begins to lick you, say the phrase in a sharp tone, then turn to face the opposite direction or move away from it for several minutes.

      You can also try applying lemon juice or hot sauce to your skin, or, if you don't mind being licked sometimes, teaching it phrases such as "kiss" and "no kiss," just as you'd teach it to sit or shake.

    Considerations

    • When training a dog to stop any behavior, it's imperative that the trainer is consistent. If a visitor doesn't mind being licked, discourage your dog's behavior as you normally would to prevent confusion.

      Once you train your dog to stop licking, it's important that it still has ways to express its love and affection. Training it to shake hands or roll over will give it the attention it craves.

      Finally, shouting or physically punishing your dog for licking will not elicit the response you desire and can cause psychological damage. Be patient with your pup. It may take it time to learn.