By Mary R. Burch, PhD, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Director
A: Every now and then I hear from an owner who says, "Help, my dog won't stop licking the floor," or "My dog licks everything!" When it comes to excessive licking, the jury is still out on the cause. Several things are suspected; plus, licking could actually have different causes for different dogs.
Excessive licking is often seen as an OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) behavior. Some dogs lick when they are bored -- it can be a form of self-stimulation and something to do. In these cases, licking is in the same category as dogs who will snap at flies that aren't there, or chase their tails or shadows.
Most often, we think of OCD as being extreme, such as a woman who washes her hands exactly 40 times before leaving the house or a man who checks the door exactly 10 times before going to bed to be sure it is locked. But OCD can manifest itself in less intense ways in both people and dogs.
One theory about floor licking is there is sometimes a cleaner on the floor with a scent the dog likes. Another theory would be something was dropped on the kitchen floor, and the dog -- with its remarkable sense of smell -- is licking up the fond memory of a piece of yesterday's bacon.
Another common theory is that licking is related to anxiety -- the dog is stressed about something and is engaging in unusual behaviors.
If your dog is licking, don't despair. There are a few thing you can do:
- Make sure your dog has access to clean water all the time.
- Give your pup some acceptable things to chew -- some people offer their dogs a frozen ice cube as a substitute for licking.
- Interrupt the behavior by calling your dog for a short play or training session.
About the Author
Mary Burch is the director of the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program. She is one of the 50 Certified Animal Behaviorists in the United States. With more than 25 years of dog experience, Dr. Burch is an international expert on dog therapy. She is the author of nine books, more than 200 articles and has been a lobbyist on legislation concerning hazardous dogs and responsible dog ownership.
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 17th - 18th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
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