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How to Stop Your Dog From Licking Everything

Do you have a dog that licks everything it can get its tongue on? Are you tired of cleaning up after its mess? If so, it is time to take control and teach your pup to stop licking everything. In this article, we will discuss how to prevent your dog from licking furniture, people, and other objects as well as what to do if your pup has already developed a licking habit.

Understand the Reasons for Licking

The first step to curbing your dog’s licking habits is to understand why they lick in the first place. Dogs lick for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Boredom: If your pup is left alone with nothing to do, they may resort to licking to pass the time.
  • Affection: Licking is a type of affection for dogs. They may lick you or other people to show their love.
  • Anxiety: Dogs may lick themselves or other objects as a way to cope with stress.
  • Taste: Dogs may lick a variety of objects to taste them.

Once you understand why your pup is licking, you can start to address the issue.

Prevent the Licking

The best way to stop your dog from licking everything is to prevent the behavior in the first place. Here are some tips to help you do this:

  • Provide your pup with toys: Keep your pup entertained with toys and other activities so they don’t resort to licking out of boredom.
  • Give them attention: Spend time playing with your pup and give them lots of affection to reduce their anxiety.
  • Keep objects out of reach: Store items that your pup may want to lick in a place where they can’t reach them.
  • Train them: Teach your pup basic commands such as “sit” and “stay” to help them learn to control their impulses.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your pup from licking everything in sight.

How to Stop Licking That Has Already Started

If your pup has already started licking, it is important to take action immediately. Here are some tips to help you stop your pup’s licking habits:

  • Distract your pup: If your pup is licking something, distract them with a toy or a command such as “sit”.
  • Redirect their attention: If your pup is licking themselves, redirect their attention to a toy or another activity.
  • Reward good behavior: Praise your pup when they stop licking and give them a treat to reinforce the behavior.
  • Discourage bad behavior: If your pup continues to lick, discourage the behavior with a firm “no” or a spray bottle.

By following these tips, you can help your pup break their licking habit.

Conclusion

Licking is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can become a problem if not addressed. To stop your pup from licking everything, it is important to understand the reasons for the behavior and to take steps to prevent it. If your pup has already started licking, it is important to take action immediately by distracting them, redirecting their attention, and rewarding good behavior. With patience and consistency, you can help your pup break their licking habit and keep them from licking everything in sight.


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