How to Stop a Dog From Licking People

Most dogs are friendly creatures that love nothing more than greeting their owners with a slobbery kiss on the face and hands. The owners of the pooch might find this delightful and welcoming, but guests entering the home may not enjoy such form of hospitality. Breaking a dog of this unwanted behavior can be accomplished relatively easily.

Things You'll Need

  • Lemon juice
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn away from your dog if he attempts to lick you. Do not allow this behavior. If he attempts to lick your hand, pull it away and walk away. Eventually, your dog will quit. When this happens, give the dog a lot of praise and a treat.

    • 2

      Instruct anyone that the dog attempts to lick to make a yelping sound. This sound imitates the noise the littermates made when the dog was a newborn. The dog associates this sound with causing harm or pain--something the dog innately does not want to do.

    • 3

      Place a bitter, unattractive substance such as lemon juice onto your hand and the hand of the people entering your home. The dog will lick the person, taste the lemon juice, and begin to associate that taste with licking humans.

    • 4

      Teach your dog how to sit. To accomplish this, call the dog over to you and hold a treat in front of his face, but do not let him eat it. Slowly move the treat over the dog's head and down toward his back. The dog's head will naturally follow the treat, and his body will take him into the sitting position. Give the dog the treat and praise immediately once he sits. Repeat this process, this time saying "sit" at the same time. Eventually the dog will respond to this command, which can be used each time you feel the dog is going to lick anyone.