Stop Excessive Licking - How To Get A Dog To Stop Licking People

Having a puppy jump on you and excitedly lick your face can be cute at first, but getting a complete "tongue bath" every time you try to pet a dog can be very annoying. There is a line between a cute greeting and excessive licking. Here are a few ideas for how to get a dog to stop licking people.

A dog's licking is a natural behavior. Among other things it can be a sign of excitement or a sign of submission. When a dog constantly licks a person, it can be a sign of anxiety. Excessive licking is when a dog constantly tries to lick a person whenever they come in contact with them. It is a very frustrating behavior to have a dog lick you every time you try to pet them, put a leash on them or just sit next to them. Your guests will not appreciate being "licked to death" by your dog, no matter how cute they are!

Everyone On Board

While it can be hard to stop excessive licking, it is not impossible. First and foremost, everyone in your household and all of your guests need to be working together to get a dog to stop licking people. It will be counter productive if one person allows the dog to lick them, even a little bit. If you have children, express how important it is for them to not let their dog lick them.

Give Me a Kiss

One way to try to get a dog to stop excessive licking is to teach them to "kiss" you. This is a pretty simple trick to teach. It is best to start when they are puppies, but a dog of any age can learn. Every time your dog licks you, tell them, "Good Kiss" and give them a pat on the head when they stop. Try to limit them to one lick by praising and petting them right away. Most dogs will catch on pretty quickly. Before you know it, you will be able to tell them to "Give Me a Kiss" or simply just say "Kiss" and get a lick in response.

A word of caution here! If your dog has a serious problem with excessive licking, do not try this technique! I have three dogs, one of which has an excessive licking problem that stems from anxiety. We were able to make this work with the other two, but this technique actually made the problem worse with her.

"No" Means "No"

If you want to get a dog to stop licking people, you will be using the word "No" a lot. Every time your dog licks you, tell them "No" and move away from them if they do not stop. It could take a while to stop excessive licking, but you need to be consistent. Do not be tempted to allow "just one lick" or try to ignore it. If you tell them "No" and move away consistently, your dog will eventually get the hint. It is very important that the first time your dog stops licking when you tell them "No" to make a big deal out of it. A very heartfelt "Good Dog" is due! Give praise, without being overexcited, and pet them right away. It is necessary to let your dog know that this is what you want! If they lick or try to lick you when you are praising them, repeat the process. It is going to get very repetitive, and can take a while, but this is a great way to get a dog to stop licking people.

It can be frustrating and time consuming to stop excessive licking, but it will pay off in the long run. Remember to be consistent and make sure everyone is doing the same thing. Try to ease anxiety by increasing the amount of exercise your dog is getting and by giving them interactive dog toys. Having a good dog toy to play with can stimulate your dog's mind and help stop excessive licking.