[Debbie1224]

Hey all, I have a question. My 5 year old female mixed lab/hound/something has started this licking thing that is driving us crazy!!! I also have a 6 year old mixed breed (no one knows what she is) and a 9 month old male lab/pit/rottie mix and my Missy (the 5 year old) is always licking them. She really likes the ears the best, but she will lick their faces, paws, and private parts on the male. The other two really enjoy it, they lay down next to her and nudge her to lick. Is she playing mother hen and giving them baths or what. This originally started months ago when the 6 year old had ear infections, (which I swear are coming back because of Missy licking them all the time) and Missy started licking at Princess' ears, but now she just keeps licking. She will even lick my husbands legs because they are hairy! What is she doing? Any advise? Is it harmful? Probably not, but she soaks them with spit!

[Debbie1224]

I was hoping someone would have some feedback but I got nothing Is it just a dumb question or does no one really have any idea what these dogs are doing? It is getting worse and I was really hoping for some feedback.

[Dogstar]

Sometimes the board moves fast and folks don't see a question.

I suspect this behavior started out as a minor habit and has grown into something else. I'd do a few different things.

First, every time I saw her lick another dog more than once (or for more than a second or two), I'd redirect her. (If she's super-affectionate with people, I'd call the other dog over and make a fuss over them. :P Jealousy can work wonders.) If the other dog initiates it, I'd put everyone on downstays, do 2-3 minutes of obedience work, and then distribute chewies.

Next, I'd do some obedience brush-up work, particularly on "leave it" behaviors, and I'd use that to get her to leave the other dogs alone.

I might try bitter apple/bitter lime/chewstop spray, particularly on the ears of the dog who is getting ear infections.

Lastly, you might check with your vet and get a comprehensive exam, including bloodwork. 5 is middle-aged for a dog of most breeds, and sometimes weird repetitive/obsessive behaviors can be an early indicator of thyroid problems, which tend to show up in middle or old age.

Hope that's helpful!

[Debbie1224]

Dogstar, Thank you for some feedback, I was more concerned of this was harmful to any of them. Missy is terrified of everything, so I was worried it might be an anxiety thing. She is terrified of men especially (except my husband, she loves him). Tonight she gave the puppy a sponge bath, cleaned her paws, the puppy's paws, face, ears, legs, belly, the works!!!!

I will try your suggestions and see what happens. She looks so sad when we stop her though. I thought because she played like the mommy when we got the puppy, she just had some maternal instincts that cropped up Sounds crazy I know, I have a bad habit of thinking of them as my kids (never had any) so I guess I am the one with the maternal instincts not worked out

Thanks for answering me, I was really wondering if eveyone thought I was just nuts!!!

[echo8287]

I have 2 girl Mini Schnauzers and one of them is a licker. She is the most brash of the two and also the most anxious. She usually just licks people though.She is the one that will whine and hollar when we leave. She is the first to get up in the morning,always on,the first to want to get in your lap etc. The other one rarely tries to lick you,unless you have something on your hands that might be tasty. They are all different, maybe you taste salty or have had something on you at one time that tasted good to the dog. It is still checking for something tasty. Its not harmful unless they eat the wrong things. I had another dog that would sometimes lick the cats head, the cat liked it. David