Chronic Licking in Dogs – How to Stop Dog Licking

In the dog world, licking is a typical greeting and not considered rude, intrusive or gross. To humans, dog licking problems can be very frustrating. In some situations, dogs may develop the habit of excessive licking. They may become pushy and persistent. Rather than attempt to explain the embarrassing situation to your visitors, understand why dogs do it and how to stop a dog from licking.

Dogs communicate with each other a number of ways. Licking is one such way. In nature, this is acceptable, however at your dinner party it may not be. The alpha is often licked after returning from a hunt or other period of absence. This activity builds up bonds in a pack and helps reinforce the social hierarchy.

You should not expect to never be licked when you own a dog. Letting your pup lick your leg or hand is one way of saying “everything is fine.” It comforts and reassures your dog, while helping maintain your alpha status. Puppies will use licking as a form of affection. This is your dog’s way of saying “I love you.”

Do not allow your pet to lick excessively. Here and there is fine, but more than that and you may have a dog licking problem on your hands. Unfortunately, not all licking is a positive behavior. Some dogs will lick excessively due to nervousness or anxiety. If he is stressed out, he may begin to lick. If he licks himself, this can lead to bald patches and general hair loss.

Figure out what is causing your dog to feel anxious. Has something changed at home? Is there something you are doing or a member of your family does that irritates the dog? It could be many things, so consider all possibilities. Once you determine the cause, you will know how to get a dog to stop licking.

Sometimes the problem is purely physical. A dog with a skin irritation or dry skin may lick obsessively, trying to heal and sooth his or her skin. This can be caused by an allergy. During the winter, a dog’s pads may become cracked and irritated. This can also lead to licking. In this situation, the best way to stop dog licking is to visit a vet.

If you have deemed the dog licking problem is not medical, but purely behavioral, take action immediately. Each day, allow your dog a reasonable chance to lick you as a welcome or to say, “I love you.” If it goes beyond that greeting, choose a command to indicate licking must stop, such as “no licking” or “stop licking.” Speak the command firmly then leave the area. Do not give your dog any attention for a good one to two minutes. Practice this routine each day until you begin to see improvement. It may take time, especially if the problem has been ongoing for a while.

With persistence, you can end dog licking problems. Be certain to rule out physical factors before assuming the problem is behavioral. Be consistent and firm, no matter how pushy your pup gets. Eventually he or she will get the hint and learn when enough is enough.

Danny Taylor of DogTraining-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping new pooch owners get the info that they need to help train their new best friend. Danny, a professional dog trainer himself, leads his team of dog obedience trainers to constantly review new training methods, and programs in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular dog training programs at DogTraining-User-Reviews.com.

Tags: bald patches, dog licking, Dog Training, skin irritation