Ways You Can Stop Your Dog From Licking
For some dog owners, they consider licking as a form of love and attention by their pet dog. However, it can be quite annoying and irritating when there are guests coming into the house and your dog is trying to welcome them with excessive licking.
While it is true that licking is not really a dangerous behavior when compared to dog aggression or jumping on people, it is still not the proper way that a dog should behave. Imagine how embarrassed you will feel when your dog keeps on licking your guests, making your guests feel uncomfortable in your home.
Tips To Stop Dog Licking
Here is a very important point that you should take note. And that is consistency. Consistency should start at the very beginning, when your dog is still a puppy. If you want your dog to behave towards other people in a certain manner, then you should teach your dog to behave towards you in the same way.
For example, if you allow your dog to jump on you, your dog will be confused as to why it is not okay for him to jump on others. If you allow your dog to lick your hands or face, your dog will be confused when it is not allowed to lick other people’s face or hands. Regardless of the type of dog training, consistency is the key. You want to show your dog the expected behavior, and then reinforce it consistently.
Although as a dog owner, you will feel wonderful that your dog is licking you when you arrive home, showering you with excitement and a whole lot of attention, there are many other ways that are more appropriate for your dog to show you attention and excitement other than licking. 1 simple way to stop your dog from licking you is to turn away each time he tries to lick you.
You are not recommended to give your dog any eye contact. Turn away from him till he stops licking you. You will only attend to your dog when he has calmed down and is not licking you anymore. You can also praise him for the behaving properly. Let say your dog has this tendency to lick your hand, pull your hand away when he is licking your hand and turn away from the dog. Don’t give him any eye contact unless your dog stops licking you.
When you reinforce the appropriate behavior, it will also train your dog not to lick other people when they are coming into your house. Due to the fact that your dog knows he will not gain any of your attention through licking, he will not try to lick your guests.
The owner should also tell the individuals that visit the home what to do if the dog tries to lick them, demonstrating and reinforcing the same behavior the owner uses to stop dog licking.
Tags: animal, animals, dog, dog training, dogs, home and family, pet, pets
dog training | Andyl Hannerl | 13 June 2009 |
