Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Curb your dog's licking behavior
• Method 2 of 2: Train your dog not to lick
• Tips
• Necessities

When a dog licks you, it probably wants nothing more than to show affection or to radiate submission, indicating that it respects you as its owner. If the dog occasionally licks you on your hand or foot, for example, that is not a problem in itself and you may even see it as a sweet gesture. However, if the dog goes crazy licking you or visiting you, it can quickly become annoying. It is important to note that obsessive licking often indicates an anxiety disorder, and you should do something about it in your best interest and for the benefit of your dog. Trying to curb your dog's licking behavior may also help you determine if your dog is licking to show affection or if there is a more serious cause behind his behavior.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Curb your dog's licking behavior

1. Ignore your dog's licking behavior. If your dog is licking your skin to show affection or because he wants attention, removing a treat may help curb this obsessive behavior.
   • Don't get mad at your dog. Also a negative reaction a reaction, in your dog's eyes.
   • Stop what you are doing, get up, and then leave the room where the dog is trying to lick your skin for a long time. This again makes it clear to your dog that he does not achieve the desired result with licking.
2. Try products with pheromones that have a calming and calming effect. So-called Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAP) have proven to be effective when used to treat obsessive behaviors often associated with separation anxiety in dogs. These artificial chemicals mimic the pheromones released by the mother dog when she has a litter of puppies and have a calming effect on anxious or scared dogs.
3. Switch to a different soap or lotion. It is possible that your dog's licking behavior is caused by a smell or taste that he likes. Try to use unscented soaps and lotions and see if the licking behavior decreases.
4. Use products for your skin with a citrus scent. Although there are exceptions, the smell and taste of citrus will have a repellent effect on most dogs. Applying a citrus-scented product to your skin, or dabbing it on your skin with citrus peel, may stop the dog from licking your skin.
5. Keep your dog busy with dog toys. Expending energy can help curb negative behavior, so having a wide variety of dog toys, including those that contain treats and provide a mental challenge, can help curb unwanted behaviors such as excessive licking .
6. Consider medicating your dog. If your dog's licking behavior is part of a bigger problem, namely separation anxiety, you should check with your vet to see if medications might be an option for your pet.
   • Clomipramine is often prescribed to pets with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. These drugs help counter obsessive compulsive behaviors, such as licking.
   • Fluoxetine is another example of a drug that is prescribed fairly regularly to pets with an anxiety disorder. This drug counteracts compulsive disorders in dogs and has relatively few side effects.

Method 2 of 2: Train your dog not to lick

1. Try to encourage alternative behavior. One way to curb obsessive behaviors such as licking is to encourage other behaviors that are incompatible with licking. For behaviors that are not associated with licking, consider all of the activities that occupy your dog's mouth that make licking not an option.
   • Let your dog fetch or start a game of tug of war as soon as your dog starts licking. This will distract your dog from what caused some anxiety and led to the licking behavior, and you will make it physically almost impossible for the dog to lick you any longer when playing with a dog toy.
   • Take your dog for a walk as soon as he licks you. This may cause the animal to lick you when it wants to get out, and hopefully this will make the licking behavior less compulsive.
2. Make sure your dog gets more exercise. An intense workout can cause your dog to tire somewhat, lose stress and lose the urge to lick you.
3. Reward your dog for good behavior. If your dog is licking you because he wants attention, you should only give him attention when he is behaving well. Rewarding good behavior should occur immediately after showing the right behavior so that the association between that particular behavior and the reward is abundantly clear. Rewarding your dog in this way will teach him that calm, "normal" behavior is desirable.
4. Train your dog to lick on command. This will teach your dog that licking is only acceptable when you indicate it.
   • Choose a word that indicates that licking is allowed. This could be, for example, "lick," "kiss," or any other word you want your dog to associate with licking.
   • Reach out as you say the word you chose as your command. You could smear a small amount of peanut butter on your hand to initiate licking during the early stages of the workout. However, this method should only be used if your dog is not aggressive when it comes to eating.
   • Also create a command that indicates that the dog should stop. Some examples are “stop”, “no more” or “no more kiss”. Wait to see if the dog stops on its own. When your dog stops licking, even for a few seconds, you should reward him. If he doesn't stop, repeat the command and withdraw your hand.
   • Compliment your dog when he licks on command and stops licking. Giving compliments for good behavior is essential during command learning.
5. Be consistent. If you want your dog to stop licking, you have to completely stop your dog from this unwanted behavior. You can't reward your dog for licking one day and then punish it the next day for the same behavior. This will only confuse the dog, making it more difficult for your dog to understand what you want from him. Remember that any training takes patience, dedication and consistency.

Tips

• If your dog doesn't seem to be responding to the measures you've taken to reduce licking, he may need more training or medication to address the underlying anxiety disorder. Contact a professional dog trainer in your area for further advice.
• Try to occupy your dog with something else and don't get too close to his muzzle.

Necessities

• Soap and lotions with citrus scent
• Treats
• Dog toys
• Dog leash