Why Is My Dog Licking the Carpet?

There are a few reasons why your dog may be licking your carpet. It's important to pay attention to your dog's cues, as licking objects is usually a sign of stress. It can be very troubling as a pet owner to see your faithful friend in distress; it's difficult to know what to do in such a situation. With knowledge of possible causes, you can make your pet feel more comfortable and eradicate bad behavior.

  1. Stress Reaction

    • One of the reasons your dog may be licking the carpet is stress. Pets respond to external negative stimuli with what is called "stress-induced displacement behavior." When dogs are at odds with two taxing decisions, they engage in a different or "displacing" behavior in an attempt to cope. This can be very confusing for your pet, as he may be trying to replay certain situations or mimic earlier behaviors. For instance, if you trained your dog not to urinate in the house by rubbing his nose into the carpet, he may lick the carpet because he mistakenly thinks you want him to.

    The Attention Reflex

    • Another reason your dog may be licking the carpet is to simply get your attention. When a dog is feeling neglected, she will act out in any way possible to garner either negative or positive attention. Dogs may engage in carpet licking (and similar behaviors such as urinating in the house) because they do not know how else to get their love and affection needs met. If you ignore your pet or respond positively toward her after she licks the carpet, she may assume that it's okay to continue licking in the future.

    Your Behavior

    • It's possible that your reactions to your pet are encouraging and reinforcing negative behaviors. It's important to react in a way that your pet will interpret as discouraging. Your dog may be feeling out of control as a result of not taking frequent enough walks, having no solid obedience training and not understanding his punishment. With a few tweaks of your own behavior, you can establish a healthy relationship with your dog.

    Helping Your Pet

    • Danielle Carrion, a veterinary assistant at Lawrence Pet Hospital in Santa Clara, California, says it's very important to establish clear boundaries and rules with your pet. It's imperative, however, that you don't yell at your pet. Talk to your pet lovingly, tell her what you want her to do or not do. It is sometimes appropriate simply to ignore negative, attention-seeking behavior, although this may increase anxiety in some dogs.

    Ensuring Stability

    • Remember to always love and cherish your pet. Give positive responses to desired behaviors, and be consistent with your responses. Treat your dog with respect, and he will behave accordingly.