My 7 year old golden/shephard mix licks me ALL THE TIME and it is driving me crazy. I've tried putting tabasco on my hand to discourage the behavior but he kinda likes it so if anyone could offer insight into how I can stop this I would be grateful.
2007-01-14 11:44:52 · 6 answers · asked by gtahvfaith 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Many people enjoy having a dog that licks hands or face, but if you don't like it, then you need to give him something to do that is a positive alternative choice (rather than offer him a flavour of hand he might dislike) and train him to know to wait for you to solicit interactions (in this sense, unwanted licking is not all that different from other unwanted greeting behaviour, like jumping up).
So redirect his attention by giving him something to do that he will learn is his proper greeting behaviour. An easy option is ask him to sit before you as he comes up to you for a greeting. If he is sitting, he cannot be reaching for your hands. Or, if he is doing the licking when you are sitting and watching TV or talking to people, ask him to go into a downstay or a relaxed down (not a sphinx down but relaxed to one side). Of course, praise him for doing these things and offer a treat if you'd like. (Praise and treat especially as you start to teach him this is the desired behaviour. Once it becomes his norm, then you can withdraw food treats and instead, just praise).
All of which raises the question -- have you done any obedience with this dog? That's really the starting point for giving him more positive options and for setting a behaviour agenda so he knows what is acceptable and what isn't.
There are some great training sheets -- including teaching a relaxed down -- at http://www.deesdogs.com.
Just saying 'no' isn't a very productive way to deal with any behaviour issue with a dog, because it doesn't offer any alternative, desired behaviour. A dog probably hears the word 'no' more than any other word during its lifetime, and we rarely praise them when they are, as a matter of course, offering us desired behaviours. So remember to praise when he sits quietly, when he walks politely, when he is relaxed and lying on the floor -- even toss him a few tidbits -- and what you do is build up a repertoire of positive behaviours that he will learn to try as an option when he is told 'no' -- and will gradually do by choice because it's more fun and rewarding.
And if anyone doesn't think this works -- just recall how, the last time you had a treat in your hands, your dog likely went through the repertoire of things it has been trained thru rewards to do -- sit, down, shake, etc. to see which might be the exact one you want to see LOL. Dogs definitely learn and recall the desireable behaviours that they have learned by praise/reward. :^)
2007-01-14 12:19:27 · answer #1 · answered by cav_talk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he likes you and the natural salt on your hands. if you really have a problem with him licking you all the time go buy some bitter apple and put it on your hands. licking sometimes is to get your attention so when hes licking you tell him no in a stern voice and then do something not including him. when he stops tell him hes a good boy. he will eventually get the point that you dont want him to lick you. good luck!!!!
2007-01-14 19:52:22 · answer #2 · answered by momo! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every dog likes Tabasco so that wouldn't repel him, it would attract him to you. But our 2 dog's we have like to sniff us and lick us when there excited. So maybe there is nothing wrong with your dog.
2007-01-14 19:51:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could carry a spray bottle and spray him in the face every time he tries. Just make sure not to get any in his nose or eyes.
2007-01-14 19:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try bitter apple spray on your hands. I have heard that will stop biting as well :)
2007-01-14 19:57:14 · answer #5 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Training usually works - tell him no and be consistent. He'll learn.
2007-01-14 19:54:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋