Licking the Fiance :)

Beckella · 05-12-2008, 07:39 PM

Hi all,
I have 2 dobies - Abby & Drew. Need some help with Abby...she likes to lick my fiance when he pets her (she does it to my sister too) & it drives him nuts. I don't think she does it to me - or if she does I don't notice it!

So, any suggestions for correcting this other than what he's been doing - holding her mouth, saying no & not petting her when she does it. I'd appreciate any input and words of wisdom...

Thanks!
Becky H.

Abby, Destiny's Flower Power, TT
Drew, Couch Potato Master

**voodoolizard** · 05-13-2008, 05:58 AM

how old is she ??

we had a massive licker in zeus !! we taught him the " leave " command and when he started to lick someone i told hin to leave and that worked.. also try making her sit and youe fiance giving her an ear rub etc so she cant reach him to lick.. but prob teach her leave if she does not know it already and try that ??

Beckella · 05-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the response!!!

She'll be 7 this summer! I've never really noticed her doing it to me before - at least not excessively. It makes him nuts though so I'm trying to maintain his sanity. She does know leave it but that hasn't worked up until this point on this particular problem. It's hard to work on because she's not doing it to me and he has to correct her for doing it and he's not big into correcting the dogs. Also, we're only there on weekends at this point so it's not necessarily something that I can consistently work on daily.

I guess I'll just keep working on leave it...unless anyone else has suggestions?

Becky

**Burns** · 05-13-2008, 11:29 AM

Red occasionally likes to turn his head and try to sniff or lick the hand that's petting him. He's been getting a lot better about it with age, but when he does it to strangers, they always think he's trying to bite them or something - which obviously he's not. I usually just hold his leash or collar close when others are petting him and distract with a treat or something. When we're at home, I say "stop" and then continue petting his head as he sits there. I think Red is still puppy-like and that's why he does it, but I'm not sure what advice to offer you for an older dog except maybe you can try distracting her with a treat, and your fiance has to be consistent about correcting her.

**BlackandTans** · 05-13-2008, 11:46 AM

I agree with Burns that I would try distractions... With my dogs when they do it I say "no lick" or "stop" etc while lightly holding their mouth shut for a few seconds. Then I let go and do a ear rub or something while praising them and telling them how good they are for not licking!! If they start doing it again I will say no, stop petting them, and then try to distract with a treat or toy etc... Usually when i stop doing the ear rubs after saying "no lick" they kinda get the idea that if they keep licking they dont get ear rubs or scratches anymore...

**sebsyd** · 05-13-2008, 04:48 PM

Some people have more salt content on their skins through persperation and the dogs love to lick it off. Some dogs are "mouthy", they like to use their mouths to play and for affection. I agree with Reds, try to distract the action and see if that works. My Sydney is very mouthy and loves to grab by arm to play. I just yell "ouch" very loudly and turn away from her (shun her). She gets the message very fast now and sits in front of me until I say "ok" and then we play.

Beckella · 05-14-2008, 07:28 PM

Interesting...I never thought of the salt before! That makes sense why she does it to him & my sis and not to me! I'll run that by him...I'll also try distracting her and see if that helps at all! Thanks for the advice...

**ellenm** · 05-15-2008, 06:34 AM

I was going to just add that at least you have a HAPPY problem, rather than your girl growling at him!!!!

Beckella · 05-15-2008, 08:48 AM

That's very true!!! She actually really really likes him which is a good thing...although it means she's wanting more attention/licking him more. She tends to be very aloof with the people she doesn't like!