LICKING & LICKING & LICKING

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Compulsive licking is a common problem, especially in warmer weather. The word “compulsive” means the repetitive, irresistible urge to perform the same behavior, over and over again. A dog who displays compulsive behavior repeatedly does a behavior over and over. But licking...

Some breeds are more likely to develop certain compulsive disorders. For instance, Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers can have excessive licking problems (this is called acral lick dermatitis or lick granuloma). They might bite and chew their tails when they “catch” them, causing hair loss or hot spots. Since our doodles have retriever in them, this could be a common problem here on DK.

Why does it happen?

Sometimes a dog could start a compulsive behaviors for no reason that is obvious. Other times they might develop compulsions after having physical conditions that cause them to lick. For example, if your dog injures his paw and licks it, he might continue his licking even after his injury has healed. Things in a dog’s daily life can also contribute to the development a compulsive behavior.

* Frequent bathing and swimming can cause the itchies
* Fear, abuse and traumatic events can sometimes bring compulsive behaviors
* Certain chemicals, shampoos and other products might do it
* A cut or bee sting can bring on a fit of licking constantly
* Even Separation anxiety and boredom can start a compulsive behavior
* Allergic reactions to environment or food can do it too

What to do?

Make sure you check with your vet first. There might be an underlying medical problem. Once that is ruled out, then you can start working on correcting the behavior.

As far as human face licking ...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would be careful with this one; I was unaware of a common psychological problem involving compulsive licking, and have never heard of it. Tail-chasing, spinning, etc, but not licking.
Licking, biting & chewing of paws, base of tail, and groin/axilla is a classic sign of allergies in dogs, and should not be treated as a problem behavior. The dog is suffering and needs medical help.
Here is the Mar Vista info on lick granuloma:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_lick_granuloma.html

[Adina P]

Ha I thought this was going to be about doodles who lick PEOPLE compulsively :) That doesn't interfere with her life...only mine and my friends' :-D

[Lynne B]

I thought so too lol, I was going to say that I had no answer since both my dogs lick my husband and I for about 5 minutes straight when we come in the house after we've been gone for awhile.

[Adina P]

Actually you can stop or at least reduce it... Thule is significantly less licky now with me and Clark. Not so with guests because they just recoil and squeal and are too shy to correct her.

The only dog whose kisses I don't mind is Rosco's because he rarely gives them. I can stick my face right up to him and he'll only sniff :) He will kiss new people but not excessively.

[Rebekah & Dave]

So how do you correct this? Our second doodle, Jaxon is a big kisser!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Why would you want to? LOL Seriously, I just push their nose away if I am looking to stop it and say "No Lick." They get the message.

[Adina P]

Are you comfortable with corrections? The thing with licking of people is that it's part excitement, part compulsion, part appeasement, etc. So you can't make the dog feel bad or like he has to appease you. No anger or yelling or personal irritation can come up. So what I do is move into the dog with whatever body part is being licked...think of a bop on the nose but with whatever skin is being licked. Pulling away will make the dog want to get closer. Getting mad and reprimanding will make the dog want to appease you with I'm-sorry-please-don't-be-mad-licks. So without really thinking about it, you give a quick bop back to the dog. It almost has to be reflexive in nature. AND you DO have to be sure to give the dog plenty of praise and petting for being able to keep his tongue to himself. Just tonight after a quick correction (and please know this is not a hard or painful thing...I'm not trying to punch my dog here), I gave my hand back to Thule to sniff and before she had a chance to mess up I took it away and petted her and loved on her so she saw a difference. Being close, tongue in mouth, brings love and pets and adoration. Tongue sneaking out for licks...is not as fun. I don't expect zero licks. I realize licking is a normal dog thing...but the amount of licking she will do to a baby is insane. I don't want that so I am trying to bring it down to the lowest possible amount of licking because for Thule it IS a compulsion, not just sharing love or 'mere kisses'. Despite all I said above, I'm not 100% against doggy kisses. A sweet kiss on the check is adorable in moderation. But treating me like I'm a lollipop...no thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Think of what you could save in baby wipes, though!

[Adina P]

Don't say that because she would totally clean a dirty baby's bottom...seriously!

[Bev and WILLY]

Willy is not much of a licker, he usually only gives a quick kiss when your face is in his, BUT LiLi drives everyone crazy. I usually have to put her away when company comes. Did she get you when you were here? I'll try the little bonk on her teeny tiny nose, and see if it works.
I do like the idea of saving on the baby wipes. LOL

[Leslie and Halas]

Same here... Halas likes to give me lots of kisses right before we go to sleep, and as soon as we wake up. He licks my hands and arms for as long as I'll let him. I just got home yesterday after 11 days of vacation (yippie!!!), so last night and this morning were full of extra kisses and extra cuddle-dood time.

[Adina P]

You are a better person than I. I can't handle anything wet (nose or tongue or chin) touching me unannounced on bare skin...LOL. Drives me bonkers!