artysmithy
Posted by: artysmithy
1st Dec 2010 12:44am
Licking Dog. Have a small terrier x who refuses to stop licking, his foot, my foot table,floor, other dog, or just sits & looks & pokes tongue in & out !! Any ideas how to stop?
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Comments 11
simla
hi there artysmithy, i hope this problems is resolved by now. a year is a long time to be battling a problem such as this. i have seen tranquilizers help with training. seems to be anxiety related . vitamin supplement to support the nervous system too. something with magnesium,b vitamin complex and cod-liver oil on a regular basis.[the omega 3 in the cod-liver oil with its vit d,] do the repair to the myelin tissue repair to damaged nerves.nervous dogs,[animals & humansin general] seem to have a higher requirement of these elements. - i hope this helps- Simla
lopears
pepper or some spice that is unpleasant to dogs , there may be even be something in pet shops and put it where the dog licks.
Wen
This could be one of two things. Excessive licking can be allergies or anxiety. Being a small dog it is probably the latter. I have a Maltese X who does this when he feels stress. Firm and gentle at the same time will work. It is a long process. Often they just need reassuring.
artysmithy
Thank you so much for your replies. My vet said he was a very traumatized dog when he adopted him from the Pound. He also squirts if he is admonished - even very gently. I've had him about 6mths & he is not nearly so timid now, but this looks like a nervous reaction , & I'll just have to give him lots of happy attention & he enjoys this, but the minute I put my hand near him he squirts & rolls over, though I am so gentle with him. When i say 'no licking' he is starting to take a bit of notice but the tongue keeps going in & out even when there's nothing to lick. I will persevere with love & attention. Many thanks again for your input.
Anonymous
hi artysmiithy!
i have the same problem, with my mini fox terrier.
Steph
I will just recommend Cesar Millan's work. He has a television show, The Dog Whisperer, and has written several books. I am fairly certain that he would recommend that you do not comfort your dog while it is anxious, as this will just re-enforce that anxiety is a behavior you want him to have. Check out his work with anxiety cases. You should be able to find his tv show on line. I suppose I am a broken record already about Cesar Millan...but I know that this dog-behaviorist know what he is doing.
Ambs
My puppy is a bit of a licker too (only had him a few months) but I can tell you that the licking is a lot better than biting...
LokiAura
I agree with Kovue - it may be an anxiety thing but it may be worthwhile getting the vet to check his paw at least - it may be a skin irritation.
Anonymous
The only thing I can think of is to stop him licking people is to use a water spray bottle on stream and say no every time he licks you, or other people. Dogs tend to lick a lot anyway it’s one of the ways that they relate to their world (kind of like babies), so I don’t think you will stop him completely. Maybe you could get him a doggie chew to distract him if it’s an issue or talk to your vet.
artysmithy
artysmithy