Hi everyone,

I did a search before I posted this topic, but to no avail.

I have a five month old Sibe pup who constantly licks me and the rest of my family. He doesn't lick anything else, just always us. He does it only when we reach to pet him. He doesn't lick vigerously, just very lightly to where you can barely feel it but can feel it at the same time. And its a very fast lick. He does it all the time and turns the rest of my family away from him. For example, when Houdini puts his paws in my mom's lap and she reaches to pet or scratch behind his ears, he lifts his nose and licks her hand before she even touches him. She says no and tries to pet him again, resulting in more licks. She ends up pushing him away from her and telling him to go play with his mother so she can escape the terror of the licking. I don't really like the licking, either. I think its cute every once in awhile, but I really would rather him not lick us every time we try to pet him or give him attention. I don't really know how to help him to stop. I figured he'd grow out of it as he's done it since he was even able to lick us! But it doesn't stop. He only licks us and nothing else. We love this pup dearly and will put up with his licking if it can't be stopped, but we'd all be a little happier if we can help little Houdini learn not to lick us so much!

Thanks if you can offer any help, its very much appreicated!

-Tara

Licking is normally called a submissive behaviour. Without seeing the situation it is difficult to say if this is the case here or not. For a start try changing your soap and toiletries, if this does not work it may be worth asking a behaviourist/trainer to take a look at the situation because it could be a confidence problem. Sibs are a breed that are only happy in a pack/group, and in the absence of another dog you are his pack/group, it could be he is only doing what he would do within the pack situation, greeting you, submitting to you and exchanging bonding gestures when relaxing with you. This is all guess work and you need someone who can watch what is happening to help you deal with this problem, but apart from changing the soap (just to rule that out) I would give the dog lots of attention and try to boost his confidence.

It is more than likely it will lessen as he gets older but it may still be more than you want to accept.

Think Jackie is right when she says that licking is a submissive action, don't really know what would work to get him to stop, as the more you tell them to stop the more submissive they become. You could try building his confidence up a little by playing tug of war games and allowing him to win every so often, maybe he won't be so submissive then. Or you could try Grannick's Bitter Apple on your hands for when you are petting him.

As the others have said it is a submissive behaviour but can become a habit as well.

Put something in his mouth as he approaches before he gets to lick you - a toy or something as then he can't lick.  Don't forget to praise for holding the toy.

Thank you all for your replies, I will pass the word to my mother and we can try to work things out. Actually though, Houdini does have another dog around. I bred Houdini and own his mother. He and his mother get to play together everyday. So far, she is top dog. But anyways, I will try the advice you all provided. Thank you!

Dog's ancestors are wolves. 'When a mother wolf returns from hunting, she will have already fed herself on her quarry. When she enters the den, the puppies gather around her and begin to lick her face... Wild canines have a well-developed regurgitation reflex, and the puppies lick their mother's face and lips to cause her to vomit up some food. It is most convenient for the mother to carry food in her stomach rather than trying to drag things back to the den in her mouth... It is interesting to note that our domestic dogs actually have a reduced sensitivity for their regurgitation reflex in comparison to wolves or jackals. Puppy-induced regurgitation is not as often seen in dogs unless the pups are not being fed well. When it does occur, it is more likely to occur in sharp-faced breeds that appear to be similar to wild canines, such as the wolf.' - How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren

So if he is young it could also mean he's hungry!

Puppy-induced regurgitation is not as often seen in dogs unless the pups are not being fed well. When it does occur, it is more likely to occur in sharp-faced breeds that appear to be similar to wild canines, such as the wolf.' - How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren

My puppies are always well fed but if their mother's get in to them within an hr of her feeding she will regurgiation food for them no problems, does mean I have to feed mother again and keep her well away from the pups, both my GSD bitches and now my schipperke bitches do the same.