Golden Retriever Licking

Question
We have a 4 year old Golden Retriever. We got her at about 4 months and she is full blooded and AKC registered. She is very healthy but has one habit that drives me crazy. She continually wants to lick the person she is by. When she walks up to you and you reach out to pet her, the tonque comes out and the licking starts. When I'm sitting on the sofa at night with my shoes off she will come up and lick my feet. It's embarrassing sometimes when a stranger walks up to pet her and all she does is lick. It really gets annoying. My question is twofold, why do they lick like this all of the time and what can we do stop it or at least keep it to a low roar!  

Answer
You could try using something like Bitter Apple; the taste of that often deters dogs.  Or you could try diverting her; when she starts licking, give her an alternate behavior to do, such as playing with one of the enrichment toys mentioned in the last two articles below.


http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/behavior/Handouts/StupidMommy.pdf
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Behavior/Handouts/TieDowns.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/tethertrain.pdf

http://www.billfoundation.org/html/modifying_behavior.html
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/behavior/Handouts/TreatsConsequences.pdf

https://www.premier.com/store/Products.aspx?cid=3
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Behavior/Handouts/KongsHomeAlone.pdf