How to stop a dog from licking obsessively?

Excessive licking can be a learned behaviour however, more often than not, it’s a self-soothing behaviour because it releases endorphins which have a calming effect on dogs. Reducing excessive licking involves identifying and addressing the likely cause. Provide an appropriate outlet for licking. You can help reduce problem licking by providing your dog with an appropriate outlet for the behaviour. Feeding your dog treats and meals in lick mats and food puzzle toys is a great way to do this. Ignore your dog when they lick you excessively. Instead, wait for your dog to stop licking before you pat them again, then you’re rewarding the absence of licking with a pat. Identify and reduce any source of stress or anxiety. Try to alleviate stress and anxiety by teaching your dog to cope with separation and incorporate daily exercise and enrichment to help reduce stress and anxiety.

To stop a dog from licking obsessively, eliminating parasites is a possible solution, as fleas, ticks, and mites are among the most common causes for compulsive dog licking, chewing, or scratching behaviors. There are a variety of flea and tick products that your veterinarian can recommend. Additionally, if your dog’s biting or chewing problems are caused by fleas, be sure to wash your dog’s bed and vacuum your carpeting and upholstered furniture on a regular basis to reduce the likelihood of re-infestation. Preventing the behavior is also important, and some ideas include using bitter sprays to discourage licking, having your dog wear a special collar to prevent access to hot spots, or keeping your dog close by your side when you’re home. Addressing anxiety or boredom can also be helpful, by ensuring your dog receives enough exercise, attention, and love, and training your dog to chew on toys or bones to relieve stress as a replacement for inappropriate chewing or licking behaviors. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat underlying problems contributing to your dog’s persistent scratching, and may recommend the use of topical or systemic antibiotics, steroids, or anti-itch products to treat existing hot spots or skin infections. Changing foods can also make a difference, if food allergies are making your dog itch, eliminating potential trigger foods can help. The addition of fatty acid supplements to your pet’s regular food can also help address dry skin issues and keep your dog’s coat healthy.