How do I keep my dog from licking everytime I pick her up

Everytime we try to pet or hold my 10 month old puppy, she licks the whole time we hold her.

How do we stop her from doing this?



Hi
This kind of behavior may be an obsessive/compulsive one. Some dogs, especially those who are timid or anxious by nature, can develop ocd behaviors such as excessive licking.

I would recommend that you talk to your veterinarian if her behavior is really extreme, he may be able to suggest some remedies or even refer you (and her!) to a behaviorist.

Meanwhile, I suggest that you increase her exercise level, that often helps to release some of her pent-up emotional energy and anxiety. Making sure that she has plenty of interesting toys to play with is also good.

She's basically very 'needy' and this licking is her way of showing you respect and love, but she doesn't seem to be able to control it or keep it to a 'normal' level. Getting cross or impatient with her will only make the situation worse.

I would also recommend that you try some holistic/natural remedies that are designed to calm anxious dogs. You can find a selection of these on my Dog Separation Anxiety Medication page. Separation Anxiety is just another manifestation of anxiety and a form of ocd behavior.

If you're patient, loving and calm and work to find a solution or remedy to this situation I'm sure you'll all be a lot happier - including your pup. Best of luck.