Dog Care - 4 Ways to Stop Your Dog From Licking
I’ll be honest. There’s something about the sound of a dog licking himself that just sends chills up my spine. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that there are many other people out there that feel the same way. Most of the time, you just have to deal with it, because it’s part of having a dog.
However, there are times when the licking becomes excessive, and as a caring dog owner, you need to take action.
Dogs will usually lick excessively for one of two reasons: medical or behavioral.
If they’re licking for medical reasons (such as mange, certain types of canine arthritis, impacted anal glands, or skin allergies/reactions to some type of chemical), then the answer is pretty straightforward. Take them to the vet! Your vet can determine the problem, and usually offer a simple and painless remedy.
However, if they’re not licking for a medical reason, but for a behavioral one, it’s usually related to either stress or boredom. Compare it to a person that drums their fingers on a table, or a child that sucks her thumb. This is a way of distracting themselves, and self soothing.
If it’s an issue of stress, take steps to reduce that stressor:
Being left alone a lot? Gradually increase the time you spend away from the house, to get him used to being alone.
A change in the household? Take extra time to give him attention that he needs, or establish a certain area that is “his” that he feels comfortable in.
Finally, boredom. Some dogs need more stimuli than other, especially the more intelligent breeds. Make sure they’re getting enough exercise, both physical and mental. Play games with them. When you see them start to lick, distract them by throwing a ball or giving them a toy. There are lots of companies out there offering a wide variety of toys that will stimulate the dog.
Hopefully, with a little attention and time, you can determine the cause of your dogs licking, and work to stop it. However, more extreme issues may require the assistance of a professional dog trainer. I wish you the best of luck!
Becca O’Malley is a pet lover, and has trained her pitbull mix to be a great companion. She hopes to pass along this enthusiasm to others with ideas and tricks for
dog training, along with other fun pet-related stuff. She writes for the blog http://peacefulpets.wordpress.com
And for great dog health care tips to skyrocket your dog’s health, click here for simple tips.
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