Do you know why your dog licks?
By Scotty Valadao – Accredited Behaviour Consultant (ABC of SA™): Tellington TTouch Practitioner
Unless we can really learn to ‘speak & understand dog’, we can only hypothesize why this occurs based on a dogs natural behaviour and our own observations and understanding of the behaviour. The motivation (reason) for licking seems to change from dog to dog and occurs in different circumstances. You may notice that if your dog is stressed or worried it may lick you more, while other dogs only offer the occasional affectionate lick and some give you the odd lick (or slobber!) when you arrive home. Many of the reason as to why these dogs engage in this behaviour are purely biological and part of a dogs innate behaviour.
If your dog is a consummate licker and is driving you nuts with its constant licking, I have added in some modifications at the end to help you change the behaviour.
Why Dogs Lick
Stopping the dog licking you
To a dog, attention is attention, whether negative or positive, so shouting at the dog for engaging in this behaviour only serves to reinforce it. If you are sitting petting your dog and it starts licking you, simply turn your body away and stop petting. The second the licking stops, you can resume petting the dog if you want too. If, at this stage, your dog starts to paw you (or similar) for attention, ignore these demands as well. If this does not work, then stand up for about a minute and then sit down again. Your dog will quickly get to realize that licking takes away the thing it wants the most – your attention – this is called negative punishment.
If your dog engages in licking visitors, the same as above can be done, but first work within the family unit. This will make it easier for the dog to understand what is required.
Dog Licking itself
Addressing this behaviour:
The most important thing is to stop the habit once physical causes have been ruled out. As we are not with our dogs on a 24/7 basis this is not always easy to achieve, and your vet may recommend the use of an Elizabethan Collar to stop the licking and in some cases medication to lower stress levels is required as well - your vet will advise on this. Other things you can do:-
If your dog is a consummate licker and is driving you nuts with its constant licking, I have added in some modifications at the end to help you change the behaviour.
Why Dogs Lick
- When a puppy is born it is covered with a membrane which the mother will immediately start licking to stimulate the pup and start it moving and breathing.
- A pup is not able to eliminate spontaneously until approximately 3 weeks of age, so the mother will lick the puppy to stimulate the elimination process.
- At about 6 weeks of age, as their ancestors did, some pups will lick their mother’s lips to try to get her to regurgitate food for them, and many dogs still retain this instinct.
- Pups and dogs will lick themselves for hygienic reasons.
- I have found that dogs that are timid/fearful tend to lick their owners more, so this could be seen as a calming/appeasement/submissive/reassuring gesture. The more subordinate members of a pack will lick the more dominant members.
- Licking also releases pleasurable endorphins which helps to reduce stress and helps to calm the dog – a bit like nail biting, knuckle cracking,or hair twirling in humans.
- Licking is also a form of affection and bonding.
- Dogs seem to enjoy the taste of our salty skin.
- If your dog is a consummate licker, you may find that you have, inadvertently, reinforced the behaviour by paying more attention to the licking, by way of shouting, reprimanding the dog, etc.
Stopping the dog licking you
To a dog, attention is attention, whether negative or positive, so shouting at the dog for engaging in this behaviour only serves to reinforce it. If you are sitting petting your dog and it starts licking you, simply turn your body away and stop petting. The second the licking stops, you can resume petting the dog if you want too. If, at this stage, your dog starts to paw you (or similar) for attention, ignore these demands as well. If this does not work, then stand up for about a minute and then sit down again. Your dog will quickly get to realize that licking takes away the thing it wants the most – your attention – this is called negative punishment.
If your dog engages in licking visitors, the same as above can be done, but first work within the family unit. This will make it easier for the dog to understand what is required.
Dog Licking itself
- If the dog is constantly licking itself, do speak to your vet about this behaviour as it can be a sign of allergies, skin problems etc, or indicate that the dog has pain/injury in the part of the body it is licking. It could even be that there was a previous injury which has now cleared up, but the licking has become a habit.
- As mentioned above, licking releases endorphins so if there is a lot of licking your dog may be licking itself out of frustration or boredom.
- We do not always realize just how much our own stress and changes in our family and surroundings can affect our dogs. Examine whether there have been changes such as change in dogs routine, stress in your own life, divorce, new neighbours with perhaps dogs and/or kids, illness, building alterations etc.
- Many females, if in heat, will lick themselves more often in order to keep clean. Unless a reputable breeder and registered with KUSA, please be a responsible owner and have your dog sterilized - we have more than enough unwanted dogs - leave the breeding to the reputable professionals.
Addressing this behaviour:
The most important thing is to stop the habit once physical causes have been ruled out. As we are not with our dogs on a 24/7 basis this is not always easy to achieve, and your vet may recommend the use of an Elizabethan Collar to stop the licking and in some cases medication to lower stress levels is required as well - your vet will advise on this. Other things you can do:-
- If your dog is not getting sufficient stimulation by way of regular exercise and stimulation, supply these basic needs. You can leave a Kong or similar hollow object with food in it to keep your dog busy during the day. Even a 2lt Coke bottle with some holes in it and filled with dogs food will keep a dog busy and occupied. Always check the objects given for safety.
- Ensure that your dog has routines in place as this helps a dog to feel more secure i,e. feed twice a day at regular times and be consistent with your own interactions with the dog as well.
- Don't shout or scream if you see your dog engaging in this behaviour. Attention to a dog is attention whether negative or positive and by shouting at your dog, you are, by mistake, reinforcing the habit.
- Distraction - as you see you dog starting to get into the position to lick, immediately get your dogs attention and place it somewhere else, such as going out into the garden with you, perhaps a game, offering a chew toy etc.
- If you are still having problems after bringing in the above, then I would suggest getting in the help of a professional to assist you. You are welcome to contact us and we will put you in touch with a behaviourist in your area.