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???"

[Stephanie and Abbie]

Our Abbie has always been a licker since she was a pup.  She is six years old now and still licks.  If I put lotion or any type of cream-even cortisone cream, she can smell it and can't help herself.I have to hide my whole body under the sheets!  She will especially lick us to death when we return home from work.  She is a well trained therapy dog, but that is her one obsession. After 6 years of correcting her, I have just accepted her the way she is. I still don't let her lick my lotion etc. but will let her give me kisses.  She does know the difference between kisses and licks and I always say "no licking".  Good luck, but don't hold your breath.