How You Can Stop Your Dog From Licking
Although dog licking can be considered by some owners a way that the dog gives them love and attention, it can also become an annoyance when other people come into the home and the dog wants to greet 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.
Here Are Some Tips
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 shouldn’t pay any attention to him or establish any eye contact with your dog when it is licking you. Only when your dog has stopped licking you will you start to give him the attention he wants and praise him for the correct behavior. If your dog likes to lick you on your hand, you should stop your dog from licking by pulling your hand away from the dog and not giving him any eye contact until he stops doing so.
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.
You can also tell your guests what they can do if the dog starts licking them. This will actually reinforce the same behavior that you as the dog owner is using to stop your dog from licking.
Posted: June 11th, 2009 under Dogs.
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