Dogs lick for many reasons, including grooming, communicating, exploring their environment, and bonding with each other. However, when licking becomes a repetitive behavior, excessive, or focused on a certain area for extended periods of time, it could be a factor in a behavioral or medical issue.
Repetitive licking or excessive licking is not merely a bad habit; it usually indicates that there is a deeper issue at work (i.e., stress-inducing conditions, skin irritations, pain, boredom, compulsive behaviors). The key to resolving repetitive licking is to understand that there are reasons behind it and to determine those reasons in order to successfully manage it without trying to eliminate the licking action itself directly.
Understanding Normal vs Obsessive Licking
Normal licking is situationally based and only occurs occasionally. Some dogs will lick their paws when they return from outside to clean themselves, or will briefly groom themselves after getting wet from the rain. Other forms of licking are a dog’s way of expressing affection towards their owner.
Obsessive licking, in contrast, is when a dog licks repetitively (for example, it may be possible to interrupt normal licking, but obsessive licking cannot be interrupted). Also, obsessive licking does not always have a visible cause or reason for occurring, while normal licking does. In addition to licking their bodies, a dog will obsessively lick inanimate objects, such as toys, floors, or furniture. Persistent licking that disrupts a dog’s normal activities, such as sleeping, playing, or performing daily tasks, is usually an indicator of an underlying issue.
Medical Causes of Excessive Licking
One of the most important causes to rule out first is a medical issue. Dogs often lick areas that feel uncomfortable, irritated, or painful.
Skin Irritation and Allergies
Allergies, both to environmental allergens, such as dust, pollen, and cleaning products, and to food, are common causes of itching or itching in dogs. Dogs with allergies will often lick themselves to relieve the itching sensation. Excessive licking, over time, can further irritate the skin and lead to even more licking.
Pain or Injury
Another reason dogs may lick a portion of their body is due to pain. Arthritis, minor wounds, and/or pain from an internal problem that is not readily seen are all potential causes for licking in dogs. Many cases of licking are the only sign that an underlying source of pain exists.
Parasites or Skin Infections
Localized itching and licking in a dog can be caused by fleas, dirt, bacteria, or fungal infections. In some instances, the dog will continue to lick even after all the parasites have been eliminated due to the continuing irritation in the skin.
Behavioral Causes of Obsessive Licking
If medical causes are ruled out, the behavior is often linked to emotional or psychological factors.
Stress and Anxiety
When dogs experience anxiety, they may lick themselves as a means of self-comforting. Similar to how we often fidget or pace, dogs lick to calm themselves and reduce stress. Stressors include changes in routine, changes in environment, separation from their owners, and household stress.
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
If a dog is not receiving adequate levels of physical exercise or mental stimulation, it may begin to engage in repetitive behaviours such as licking. As a means to pass the time or self-soothe when there is nothing else to do, licking becomes a way for them to do this.
Compulsive Behavior
Licking may also evolve into a habit for some dogs. Once this behaviour has become compulsive, it will continue even though there may no longer be any stress or irritation present to cause it in the first place.
Compulsive behaviours usually start as a reaction to anxiety or something irritating, but over time, they develop into a learned repetitive behaviour.
Identifying the Pattern of Licking
Understanding when and why your dog licks can help you identify the cause of their licking behavior.
Notice if your dog licks:
- At set times during the day
- After being active (after they walk or eat)
- Because they have been left alone
- When the atmosphere is either calm or chaotic
- At a particular area on their body
These types of patterns can provide you with valuable information on whether the cause is related to their physical health, emotions, or surroundings.
How to Manage Obsessive Licking
Rule Out Medical Problems First
Before treating a behavioral issue, a veterinary exam must be performed. If licking is due to pain, allergies, or infection, treating the medical cause will be more successful in stopping licking than just using behavioral methods. There are cases where behavioral methods cannot be effective without correcting the medical problem.
Increase Physical and Mental Stimulation
Dogs that are well stimulated both mentally and physically tend not to repeat themselves quite as often. Exercise daily helps drain off the excess energy; mental stimulation through fun things to do helps keep their minds busy.
Examples include structured walks around the block, playing games that use their nose to find things, training them to do new tricks, and playing with toys that the dog interacts with.
Dogs that are tired out and mentally satisfied usually are not going to concentrate on repeating their behaviours.
Reduce Stress and Create Stability
If anxiety is an influence, establishing a peaceful and predictable environment is key to helping your dog feel secure. A routine can aid your dog’s sense of safety, as well.
Try to limit the number of unplanned changes to your dog’s world, and introduce any additional transitions in a slow and careful manner. Having a comfortable area for the dog to lie down in peace will help alleviate licking that is caused by stress.
Redirect the Behavior
Interrupt the licking activity in a gentle manner and redirect your dog to an alternative activity (e.g., giving your pet a chew toy, starting a short training session, or playing). You are not trying to punish them, but instead replace the activity of licking with a more appropriate one. Over a period of time, the dog will learn that other activities are more rewarding than licking their lips or feet, or other body parts.
Avoid Reinforcing the Behavior
Dog owners sometimes inadvertently reinforce licking behavior by giving their dogs attention when they’re licking. Negative attention, such as talking to or petting the dog, can motivate the dog to continue licking (to get interaction). Instead of giving attention when your dog licks, give it praise and rewards when it is calm and not licking; this will help the dog learn that being calm and relaxed is better than licking.
Use Environmental Management
Limiting access to things that cause licking behavior can also help to decrease this behavior. Some examples include using barriers on furniture, cleaning up allergens, and restricting access to the items that cause the licking behavior. Environmental control will help break the cycle until behavioral training is accomplished.
Consider Professional Help if Needed
If licking becomes excessive, ongoing, or creates harm to the skin, it can be necessary to seek help from an expert. A veterinarian or certified behaviorist can determine if it is a medical issue, anxiety issue, or compulsive behaviour and create a treatment plan. In some cases, drugs and/or planned behaviour modification will be used.
Conclusion
A dog’s licking can be a complicated issue, but it should not be dismissed. Normal licking occurs from time to time, but lick persistence & repetitiveness appear most often because of another issue, whether it’s physical, emotional, or behavioural.
To effectively manage this behaviour, you first need to find out what is causing it and eliminate possible medical causes for this type of licking, then deal with possible environmental and behavioral causes. The final steps to help your dog stop the obsessive licking are to give them more stimulation, decrease stress in their life, and redirect.
Once you practice helping your dog through these steps with consistency and patience, any dog will learn to reduce or eliminate his licking habit, which will therefore lead to more comfort, healthier skin, and an increased sense of well-being overall.