7 Training Techniques to Train Your Dog Not to Lick You!
Are you tired of your dog constantly licking you? Does your dog’s enthusiastic licking leave you feeling more like a mop than a beloved owner?
If so, you’re not alone.
As much as you love your fur baby sometimes the licking can be a bit much… excessive… annoying even and now you are left wondering if it is possible to train a dog to not lick you.
The good news is, Yes, it is possible to train your dog not to lick you! With some simple training techniques, you can teach your dog not to lick you.
In this post, I’ll share with you 7 effective training methods for keeping your fur baby’s tongue in check, plus tips for rewarding good behavior and setting clear boundaries. Get ready to enjoy more slobber-free moments with your DP (darling pooch).
Understanding Why Dogs Lick
Before we dive into the techniques, it’s important to understand why dogs lick.
Licking is a natural behavior for dogs, and it serves several purposes. Dogs may lick to show affection, to communicate, to explore their environment, or simply because they enjoy the taste of something. In some cases, excessive licking can be a sign of anxiety or stress.
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Technique #1: Set Clear Boundaries
Setting boundaries is an important part of training your dog not to lick you.
Decide on a set of rules for when it’s appropriate for your dog to lick you, and when it’s not. For example, you may allow your dog to lick your hand when you first come home, but not when you’re eating or working.
You can designate a specific area in your home where licking is not allowed, such as the couch or bed or choose not to have your dog lick at all.
Whatever your rules, be consistent with your rules, and enforce them firmly but gently and make sure that everyone in the household follows and enforces the same rules.
To establish boundaries, start by teaching your dog basic commands such as “sit” and “stay”. These commands can help you control your dog’s behavior in different situations. You can also use a verbal cue or hand signal to signal when licking is not allowed.
Consistency is vital when it comes to setting boundaries. You must enforce the rules consistently to avoid confusing your dog. If you’re not consistent, your dog may not understand what behavior is acceptable and what is not.
Technique #2: Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is one of the most effective techniques for teaching your dog not to lick you. This technique involves rewarding your dog for good behavior, rather than punishing them for bad behavior.
Every time your dog refrains from licking you, mark with a yes, praise them and offer them a treat. Over time, your dog will learn that not licking you is a positive behavior that leads to rewards.
Remember to be consistent with your rewards and always use positive reinforcement rather than punishment.
Technique #3: Preventing Triggers
It is important to prevent triggers that may prompt your dog to lick you in the first place.
Triggers can vary from person to person and dog to dog, but some common triggers include excitement, anxiety, boredom, and hunger. By identifying these triggers and addressing them before your dog has a chance to lick you, you can make the training process much easier.
One way to prevent triggers is to keep your dog occupied with toys or puzzles when you know they are likely to become excited or anxious, such as when guests are arriving or when you are leaving the house.
If your dog likes to lick you on the couch or in a certain area, make sure you have toys to redirect their attention.
Make sure your dog is fed (setting a feeding schedule helps) and exercised can help prevent boredom and hunger, which may lead to licking behaviors.
Again, you can teach your dog a specific command, such as “sit” or “lay down,” that you can use when you anticipate that your dog may become triggered.
By redirecting your dog’s attention and energy towards a positive behavior, you can effectively prevent licking behaviors.
Technique #4: Redirect Attention
When it comes to training your dog not to lick you, redirection can be a powerful tool.
Instead of punishing or scolding your dog, try redirecting their attention to a more appropriate activity. This can include offering them a toy to chew on or engaging them in a game of fetch.
You can also teach your dog to sit, shake, or the pet command instead of licking you.
Whenever your dog starts to lick you, give them the command to sit or shake, and reward them when they do it.
When using this technique, it’s important to remember to reward your dog for engaging in the desired behavior. If they are happily playing with their toy instead of licking you, take a moment to praise them and offer a treat.
Technique #5: Use a Deterrent
You can also try using a deterrent to discourage your dog from licking.
There are several types of deterrents you can use, including bitter sprays, citronella collars, and no-lick sprays. These products are designed to taste or smell unpleasant to dogs, which can discourage them from licking you.
Technique #6: Use an Ecollar
Sometimes, positive reinforcement, redirection, and deterrents aren’t enough to stop your dog from licking you… in that case, an ecollar works wonders!
Although many pet parents think an ecollar is cruel, it is actually an excellent tool to train your dog not to lick you when used properly!
I have trained my dog not to lick or bite hands with an ecollar, and to be honest it was the quickest way to break this unwanted behavior altogether.
You can get an ecollar on Amazon for less than $50. You don’t need a huge, bulky, expensive ecollar.
To properly train your dog not to lick using an ecollar do the following:
- Make sure follow the instructions and correctly put your dog’s ecollar on. You want it where it will not move around but too tight and to choke your fur baby.
- Turn the static shock all the way down to 1. So that you do not accidentally shock your dog.
- When you pet your dog if they lick you, say ‘no’ or ‘no lick’ and hit vibrate at the same time.
- When your dog stops, mark with a yes and give your dog a treat with verbal praises i.e. good boy!
- Repeat the process until your dog stops licking you completely. For some dogs it only takes a few times.
If you have a more stubborn dog, you may have to use the static shock.
From experience it does not hurt, my whole family has tried it on ourselves going from 1-16. You usually don’t feel it until it is on about 4.
With that said, you want to start with one of your dog doesn’t response then you go up, 1 notch at a time. It should get your dog’s attention but not make them yelp.
Technique #7: Address Underlying Issues
If your dog’s licking behavior is caused by an underlying issue, such as anxiety or stress, it’s important to address the root cause.
To do this, talk to your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer to determine the cause of your dog’s licking behavior, and develop a plan tailored specifically to your dog to address it.
Conclusion
Teaching your dog not to lick you may seem like an uphill battle, but it is possible to train a dog to stop licking you!
Remember to establish clear boundaries, use positive reinforcement, prevent triggers, redirect their attention, use deterrents and address any underlying conditions with a vet.
Consistency is key, so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to see results.
Take action today and start training your dog to keep their tongue to themselves! 😉
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. If you found this post helpful let me know below or give it a share.
