It was designed to lick, and this is what it will do. Dogs who live by this motto seem to lick everything and anything. Some dogs are more observant and only occasionally lick, while others may be more prone to licking when irritated.

Licking can cause permanent damage, no matter how annoying.

The first lick

We get it. It is an incredible feeling when a puppy comes home and licks your hand. Everything is perfect because you get that lick from your puppy. After all, he loves you. “Oooh! “Look, he kissed me! It means he loves me!” you exclaim to the others as they give you a lick of approval. This is the moment to realize that a lick can become habitual.

Dogs are naturally friendly and will do anything to please you. There is nothing wrong with a dog lick. Dog owners enjoy a close relationship with their dogs, but avoiding encouraging behavior that could lead to annoying behavior in the future is essential.

You and others should not reward your dog for licking you if they start to do this to attract attention. Move your hand or feet away from your dog if they start to lick you. It would be best if you did not say “No!” or give attention to them in any other way. If they stop trying to lick you, then you can pay attention.

Young dogs and puppies should gradually learn that licking won’t get them what their hearts desire. This will prevent them from learning to lick as a positive behavior. You can learn how to stop your dog from licking if it is an established habit.

Image Courtesy Of Lars Curfs – Wikimedia

Why do dogs lick?

The root cause of the excessive licking must first be determined before you can solve the problem. There could be many reasons your dog is excessively licking. These are just a few of the many reasons why your dog might be excessively licking.

Communication Dogs use licking to communicate with other dogs of the same species. It can be used to indicate hunger, submissiveness, or friendship.

Tastiness– Your dog might be thrilled with your skin, depending on what you have done. Your dog will love steak juice and salty stew. Your dog might also enjoy other objects.

Grooming– Licking is a great way to keep your fur healthy and clean. Cats are well-known for their ability to groom themselves, but dogs have their cleaning routine.

Attention — Licking is a learned behavior in dogs, as we’ve already mentioned. They will lick again if they feel you have reacted positively or paid attention to them. This applies to licking your skin and other activities.

Affection Dogs are given a lick by their mothers as puppies to encourage grooming and toileting. The mother will then ask the puppy to lick her mouth for food. This is a remnant from ancestral traits where mothers’ dogs ate food they had hunted outside. In dogs’ minds, licking is associated with love.

Entertainment Licking releases endorphins which provide a feeling of pleasure and comfort. They may also lick to get comfortable or to cope with discomfort.

Healing Dogs don’t have hands, so they use their tongues to heal a wound. Dogs will lick their wounds to help them heal. This may have worked well for wild dogs, but domestic dogs tend to lick more often, which makes it worse.

Obsession Your dog might not be able to control his licking behavior. This could be due to a neurological disorder, Cushing’s Disease, or liver failure. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) can also be caused by anxiety, conflict, or frustration in the dog’s life.

How to stop dogs from licking your face

Are you tired of having doggy drool all over your hands? Are you embarrassed by your dog’s habit of giving guests’ tongue baths’ every day? These are some tips to stop your dog from licking your face.

1. Make your toiletries. It could be tempting for your dog to lick your face because you smell good. Using cocoa butter body lotion could smell like a chocolate treat. Try other sweet-smelling perfumes and hand creams. Consider switching to citrus scents such as grapefruit, orange, or lemon.
2. Hand washing is essential. After eating, cooking, or sweating, our hands can pick up many scents. They all taste great when your dog licks your hands. Use soap to wash your hands. A squirt or two of fresh lemon juice could be used since dogs do not like citrus.
3. Wear socks. Sweaty feet are a problem for dogs. To stop your dog from licking between your toes, wash your feet whenever they become sweaty.
4. Get them to stop licking you. You can walk around the room or throw a toy for them.
5. Please don’t ignore them. Your dog might be trying to grab your attention by licking you. You can ignore them until they stop. If they miss you for more than 10 seconds, walk away and do not look at or say anything.
6. Image courtesy of Tony Alter – Flickr

You should never tell your dog to lick you! This is a sign that they don’t enjoy licking you.

How to stop a dog from licking its skin

Repeatedly licking your dog’s skin or fur can cause damage to their bodies. Lick Granuloma is a severe skin condition that causes excessive licking. It results in inflamed, raw skin that eventually leads to thickened and raised tissue.

Dogs lick their paws most often and the front of their legs.

1. See your vet. Your dog could have skin allergies or be itching.
2. Take a look at the area. It could be something serious like an embedded grass seed, piece of glass, or hair between their toes. It could be an impacted anal gland if they are licking their anal areas.
3. Use an Elizabethan Collar to prevent licking. Also known as a cone or lampshade, these collars help stop the dog from licking its skin by creating a barrier between his mouth and the skin. Inflatable collars can also be used in the same manner.
4. Apply bandage to the affected area – If your dog starts to lick their skin, you can apply an application to stop them from licking it. You should be aware that dogs can chew on the bandage or may swap legs.
5. Apply a bitter cream or spray to your dog’s feet to discourage them from chewing or licking it. People suggest pepper or chili, but pet-safe products won’t irritate dogs’ eyes or noses.
6. Exercise Paw licking can be caused by boredom or unused energy being used for licking. Your dog should get a good run or walk according to their exercise needs.
7. Redirection You might shout your dog’s name to get them to stop licking the paws. However, your dog may see this as attention-grabbing. Playing with a toy or encouraging your dog to follow you into the garden will distract them from their paw-licking.
8. Talk to a dog behaviorist. Your dog might be suffering from an obsession that you cannot control. Get outside help if your dog is licking because of OCD/anxiety.

How to stop dogs from licking stitches or wounds

Although dog saliva might have mild medicinal properties, the myth that it can heal a wound by licking it is not valid. Gently licking a wound can remove dirt and dead tissue. Dog saliva also contains growth factors and anti-bacterial agents that promote healing. Dogs can cause more damage to cuts and wounds than by licking.

This frequently happens in dogs who have recently had surgery or stitches, such as from a desexing operation.

1. Make them mad You can tell your dog to stop licking the wound. Do not hit or yell at them. Just say “No!” and get them to stop licking. This should be done whenever your dog reaches for stitches or wounds.
2. Use an Elizabethan Collar when your dog needs stitches. They will not be able to get to the wound without an e-collar, which will only worsen it. They will not listen to you, especially if you’re asleep.
3. Wear a onesie for small dogs. This will prevent them from getting into their stitches during desexing. For comfort, choose a baby onesie between 12-24 months old and ensure it is not too high on their fur. You can tie a tee shirt around your dog’s waist if they are significant.
4. Apply bandage to the affected area. To protect your dog’s tongue, you should wrap wounds around the legs and tail. Your dog might still be able to reach these areas even with an E-collar, so it is essential to provide additional protection.

How to stop a dog from licking objects

Dogs can develop a habit of licking things like the floor, dog bed, or sofa. It could be anxiety, a lack of mental stimulation, or comfort.

1. Replace the object with something else. Cheating on a bone is more enjoyable than licking the couch. You could give them a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or treats as a distraction.
2. Clean the object. Use an enzyme cleaner to clean the thing of your interest thoroughly. This will remove any odors such as urine, saliva, and vomit. It may also make the area less interesting for your dog.
3. Cover the area. If they lick a particular spot on the couch, it may be worth covering the area with something else. You may find them stopping licking the room with a throw rug of a different texture.
4. Use a bitter spray to spray nonporous objects. Because it tastes terrible, it will make the area unattractive to lick.
5. Keep them away from the object. This will help to stop their habit of licking objects.
6. Talk to your vet. Licking could be caused by an issue you don’t know how to fix. Your vet may be able to help you identify the problem. It could be a sign of illness or a compulsion.

Dog owners must accept the fact that dogs will occasionally lick their hands. Accept that dogs may lick their skin from time to time. You must be careful not to make licking an obsession. It shouldn’t take over so much of your dog’s attention that it causes consequences for them or others.