Hmmm...when she licks, remove hands. When calm, reward. Replace hands, repeat. Don't send away.

 Quote: sharon empson

but when she begins licking, I mean serious licking,

that may be the problem right there. Are you saying he allows her to lick until it gets to a certain point that he finds un-acceptable?

she doesn't associate "normal" licking from "serious" licking.
If you allow her to lick some of the time then correct her when YOU feel it's too much that's not going to work.

It's all or nothing with dogs. Your husband has to stop ALL licking. Being inconsistent like that is not getting the point through to the dog.

As posted, your husband needs to stop the behaviour before it even starts. As soon as he see's her even thinking about licking( you have to look closely, but if you do you will be able to discern when she is going to do it) he has to stop petting her & remove his hands. You don't even have to say the word "no" if you don't want to. She will soon see understand that if she licks, the good stuff goes away.

I think this advice may be hitting the nail on the head. It's an all or nothing thing.

As I was reading on some other posts, I realized that I was saying sit......Sit.....SIT and some different body language before I put the leash on my dog. (She gets veerryy excited to go.) I had trained her correctly to sit and wait for the leash, but as time went by, I would repeat the command. So, effectively, what I was teaching her is that she is to sit AFTER I say sit three times.

Sooooo, I went back to square one with the sit and in less than one week (about 3 days actually) she sits immediately when she sees the leash.

To you experienced handlers, should I still tell her sit even tho she gives the correct response without the command? For instance, hooking the leash, when I place her food in front of her.....

She automatically sits for some things without the command because she knows she is supposed to, should you still say the command? (I hope that makes sense.)

For the licking, have your husband try that. Licks, no pet, no reward of any kind. After no licking, then pet.

^^^In that instance, I just say "good boy" because they've learned what I want them to do.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

She automatically sits for some things without the command because she knows she is supposed to, should you still say the command? (I hope that makes sense.)

Depends:
A) You want this to be an automatic response, and you don't want them getting up until released. You not only phase out the command, but you phase in correction for failing to auto respond. I'm guessing for house manners you don't want to go that far.

B) You like it as an automatic response, but it's not a big deal if they stop doing on their own what they started doing on their own, so you just praise/reward when it is performed automatically, and command it when it's not offered or ends too soon.

C) It is important that they stay in position, but it doesn't have to be an automatic response, in which case I would still give the command after they volunteered the behavior, to make it clear that they are now under command and waiting for release.

So it is ok to give the command after the dog's already done the command on its own? I've been wondering about that for years.

I usually go with option B for the pup and C for the old dog.

I haven't followed the thread. Are we talking about commands in general, rather than "stop licking my hand"?

Nora...
I would make the dog do a different command if they anticipated that's what you were going to ask.

dog sits before going outside and you didn't ask for it...make her lie down.
dog sits before getting his food and you didn't ask....make her stand.
etc.

Yes, these are all things we want the dog to do. sit before going outside etc etc. But you don't want him anticipating thats what you are going to ask.
If tucker is sitting on the deck waiting to come inside. I tell him to lie down, then let him in.

But it is also depends on you. Do you mind that she does it?

lol...i think this thread got highjacked Connie...


Guilty as charged...sorry.

Agree with Wendy - hijacked - unintentionally.