My 12 month old puppy obsessively licks, EVERYTHING. When I have her out of her crate in the house, if she isn't playing with her toys, she is walking around the living room licking the (clean) hardwood floor. She actually leaves a spit trail all over the living room. If we are in the kitchen, she is licking the tile foor, or the cabinets, or my foot, or anything she can. If I am sitting on the couch, she will come up to me and start licking my leg, my hand, the couch, the coffee table, whatever. It is driving me absolutely nuts!!

It is not a new behavior. I guess that since she getting more free time-privledges indoors, I am just noticing it more. I don't see her licking when she's outside, or even in her crate. I have heard that licking is a submissive behavior, and she is definetly a submissive (though not timid) dog. She's not nervous or anxious, so I don't think it's that. I have tried Bitter Apple, and it doesn't phase her. Last night I rubbed my hands in dish soap and let it dry, she still licked then a little, then stopped, but that is not the solution anyway. Has anyone ever seen this behavior before or have any suggestions as to how I can stop it.

Thanks

Is she getting enough exercise? It sounds like it might be a coping mechanism that's gotten out of hand and is now entering the land of obsession. Can you correct her then redirect with a toy? If redirecting doesn't work maybe correct her and tell her no - every time she starts licking. If she won't stop, correct her then crate her.

She gets plenty of exercise. I have an acre of fenced property she runs around all day. I play ball and frisbee with her, we go for walks. When she is in the house, she has her toys she plays with. What will happen is she will play with her toys, then drop the toys and start licking the floor, all over the house. It's like she's on a mission. My first cattle dog would always walk around with her nose to the ground sniffing for food, which seemed a more normal behavior. This one doesn't sniff for anything, she just licks everything. Maybe her sniffer doesn't work?

I have tried correcting her, I have even been using a "no lick" command for months now. When I go to pet her, she licks, so I pull my hand away until she stops licking. She knows she wont get petted as long as she is licking, but it's like she can't help herself. I realize it is obsessive, I just don't know what caused it (if that matters at this point) or how to stop it. And as for crating her when she wont stop, unfortunately, that is happening more and more often lately. It is the only way to get her to stop, but I am pretty sure she doesn't understand she is going in her crate because her licking is driving me crazy.

compulsive licking can be a sign of vaccinosis or a neurotic obssessive/compulsive behavior. It doesn't really matter what caused it at this point, but you need to interrupt it and try to find a long term solution.

I would interrupt this behavior whenever you can and seek the help of a vet that understands vaccinosis and frustration behaviors. I am guessing a homeopath would be your best bet.

http://leerburg.com/holisticvets.htm

My cocker spaniel is the same way. He is constantly licking, himself, you, the couch, the cat, anything in his reach is licked thoroughly. I try to distract him from it if I can with a touch, or a toy, or simply picking him up and making him sit beside me and not allowing the licking. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've noticed when he feels stressed he does it more obsessively. I've been told cockers are prone to this nervous licking, but I've never read anything on it. He was neutered 2 weeks ago and I have to tell you, having that cone collar on his head has really messed him up! He now sits and licks the cone, for hours and whines because he can't lick his feet, or his tail, or other things he really wishes he could reach. His cone comes off tomorrow and I am positive it will be a licking frenzy when it does!