Once a licker...always a licker???

[Gail and Bailey]

I am not a fan of being licked repeatedly by a dog.  My doodle loves to lick us....all the time. Mostly when she is excited to see us but... whenever we hold her or sit with her too.  I stop her by saying "leave it" and she knows to stop but she just can't seem to help herself and starts again.  I can divert her attention by getting her interested in a toy or bone and putting it in her mouth, but I wish she could just enjoy having us love on her and be with us and not lick.  I continue to work on the "leave it" command and we are good at being consistant.  Of course when friends visit or we meet people while we are out and she does it to them, everyone is quick to say..."Oh, she is okay, I don't mind."  I tell them it is not okay and try to stop it. She is almost 10 months old (I have had her since she was 6 months old and she came to me with this behavior.)   My question is....."is it possible that she will grow out of this,  or do I have a licker for life???"

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Well, Webber was four in November and still licks.  I thought they were doggie kisses.  Seda gives one kiss and she is done.  I have had zero success convincing Webber that doggie kisses are not necessary in such abundance.  Good luck with this.

[Gail and Bailey]

Linda...thanks for the reminder that those licks are doggie kisses.  I guess she is just matching all the kisses I give to her.  :)

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Linda, I'll take a kiss from Webber anytime!!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

You have a girl who can't hold her licker! :>)  I have no idea if she will grow out of it but you can probably reduce it with being consistent and distracting her. Quincy is an occasional licker and is easily distracted from it.

[Gail and Bailey]

Donna...LOL...she certainly can't hold her licker! 

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I'm not sure she will grow out of it. Cosmo is not a licker, and never has been.

He will hold hands, but no kisses unless you ask for them (and then only on your hands)!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

You can try one thing... hold your hand in a loose fist and let her lick  the area near your thumb. let her tongue go inside the fist and grab her tongue (gently). If she doesnt like it, it may reduce the licking. However, she may be like my Cooper (and DH) who seem to think its fun!

[Gail and Bailey]

Kaytlin...I have tried that and she thinks it is fun too!

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

I have read that repeated licking is a sign of submission in dogs and a way of saying, "you're the boss!"  So perhaps she is just very submissive and this is her way of showing that?  

[Gail and Bailey]

Lori...interesting theory but I do not see my dog as being submissive.  She most often thinks I am "the boss" when I have treats in my hand.  :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our Lab, Hershey, who lived a long life never stopped licking. Drove me nuts, but she loved us and sometimes I wish I had been more patient about that licking :) We used to say, "No Lick," but it rarely worked. Fudge and Vern hardly ever lick me, but they lick my neighbor when she gets in the car and love to kiss my husband. WTD. I guess I smell.

[Gail and Bailey]

Laurie...your comment about Hershey touched my heart.  I will remember this when Bailey is "kissing" me.