Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 41,278 times. This can be especially true in households with little kids who leave tasty messes behind. An animal behaviorist can offer behavior modification strategies and tools to help ease your dog's anxiety. Distract them - Try giving them something else to do that stops them licking, such as a chew toy or a food puzzle. They've Developed a Cognitive Issue. They may carry things around, chew, or lick. This is likely the reason for your dog's licking. With repetition, your dog will learn not to lick things, since it'll associate licking with stress. For more severe allergies, your vet may be able to prescribe allergy medication. Wash it off immediately afterwards. With rescue dogs it may be impossible to know their previous history, and they may have had a traumatic experience that caused them to develop compulsive behavior. Environmental allergens are the most common cause of allergies in dogs, but your dog's diet can also be the source of their allergies. If that doesn't help, I suggest you see a vet to make sure your dog doesn't have any underlying health conditions. Since most dogs hate the smell of citrus, washing with a citrus-scented soap may keep your dog from . People have a range of opinions on being licked by a dog. Use Bitters On a Dog 32 10. Contact a certified dog trainer in your local area for more advice. Try to identify what triggers your dog's anxiety and work with a professional to address it. There are six major causes of why your dog may obsessively lick [3]. Some dogs may start licking excessively because of a cognitive issue. 3 Repeat But, constant licking is not normal and could be your dog's way of alerting you to an underlying problem. Furniture licking may be a sign of stress, anxiety, or compulsive behavior. No matter how you view licking by a dog, this behavior is extremely common, yet a nuisance to some people. Licking their genital area frequently is normal behavior. Make sure your eyes and face are dramatically averted from the dog. To do this, say your cue (like "give kisses") while your dog is licking and then click/reward. So for my dogs, its not typically seen as a behavior problem. Keep them busy and redirect their behavior. Because they're painful and itchy, hot spots can cause your dog to lick the spot obsessively. In the meantime, give your dog more Kongs and appropriate things to lick. When sitting down with your dog, you can put a small amount of hot sauce or lemon on your skin to deter them from licking you. References. Should I stop my dog from licking her private area? How to stop dog from licking leg raw? Dogs only understand that they are being corrected for behavior committed in the current moment. By using our site, you agree to our. Only use it for a short period of time. First, is your dog licking himself or you? Dogs that lick compulsively can get into some sticky and potentially dangerous situations. So, if you're asking yourself "Why is my dog licking everything?," we have a follow up question for you: What is "everything" and how much are they licking it? A behavior becomes a behavior problemonly if its bothersome to you. Using a citrus-scented skin product, or even dabbing your skin with a citrus rind, may keep your dog from licking your skin. However, this option should only be taken if you know your dog is not aggressive with food. Ignore The Dog's Licking 24 2. Licking can be the result of normal dog behavior or an underlying behavioral issue. But if your dog is licking your feet continuously then you need to find out the reason behind it. Issue an end command, such as "stop," "no more," or "no kiss." They might fill their time by chewing on things in your house, swallowing something they shouldn't in the process. You can distract them with either a treat or any toy they can chew on. She is a credentialed Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a credentialed Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Paul is an entrepreneur and marketer for the pet industry who works out of Chicago. We go to great leng ths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Try using something like a Kong chew toys filled with peanut butter. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Stop-a-Dog-from-Licking-Everything-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-a-Dog-from-Licking-Everything-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Stop-a-Dog-from-Licking-Everything-Step-6.jpg\/aid1639633-v4-728px-Stop-a-Dog-from-Licking-Everything-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"