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Stopping Your Dog From Licking

Licking experienced by a puppy comes from its they are born even before a new born pup's eyes are open. Licking by the mother is used to groom the new pup and, after feeding, to help in urination and defecation. Young puppies consciously consider licking a dominant behavior. However as a puppy and as they mature and gain feedback from other animals (including people) they lick. Licking by neonatal pups is usually aimed at the mother mouth and, at least in wild canines, elicits a gratifying regurgitation of food by the mother for its offspring.

Licking another animal can broadly be classified as care-seeking behavior. In some females , licking may occur as a genuine mutual grooming gesture, which could be considered dominant behavior in other situations. When one dog tries to lick the genitals of another, the behavior is considered submissive. This is usually practiced by submissive pack members toward their dominant counterparts.

When a new puppy is brought into the human group the licking then depends on the type of feedback the dog get from its owners. The old idea that dogs lick our hands to benefit from the salt on our skin rarely applies to licking problems. Rather, the problem generally involves a submissive dog and a permissive owner. In these cases, early episodes of licking are permitted (some people feel genuinely flattered when their dog licks them) and the dog appears to enjoy the owner's response.

In many cases, licking is a factor in another type of problem behavior. These usually involve the dog's use of licking to dominate the owner's attentions or to demonstrate its dominant feelings relative to the owner.

How Can Control The Licking Behavior?

Licking is a problem only when the owner is present. To stop the licking is can be easily done with merely by telling the dog not to do it or by moving away. After a few days or weeks of this rejection, the problem with disappears. However, this procedure does not correct the basis of the problem, that the dog will attempt to dominate the owner.

In addition to discouraging licking, the dog must be taught to respond to commands, and owner adjustments made if the dog is "coddled" or otherwise doted on. When the dog seeks petting or tries to dominate the owner, it should be given a simple command, such as Sit, and then petted briefly as a reward for obedience.