Lhasa Apso Owner – A website about Lhasa Apso’s

I have recently noticed a new behavior in my Lhasa Apso: excessive licking! While licking is not an extremely problematic behavior in dogs, it can certainly be bothersome as an owner. This made me think about what the cause of this problem could be. So, I did some research into why dogs, including Lhasa Apso’s, lick so much. Why do Lhasa Apso’s lick so much? The most common reason is out of boredom, or bad habit. In some situations, your dog could be excessively licking something (or themselves) as a result of a medical reason or an illness. The reason for licking also often depends on whatyour dog is licking. If they are licking a person, for example, it could be a sign of affection. If they are licking an object, such as a toy, they could like the taste. Excessive licking from any dog breed could be the result of a few different factors. I will discusswhatthey are licking might give an answer to the question of whythey are licking. Here, we are going to consider three different possibilities. If they are licking peopleif they are licking objects, and if they are licking themselves, as these could all be the results of different underlying issues. Finally, we will explore medical reasons for why your Lhasa Apso may be licking a lot, and tips for how you can get them to curb this behavior. Why Lhasa Apso’s Lick Themselves Dogs often lick themselves for grooming and cleaning purposes. However, if your pet is repeatedly licking, biting, or gnawing at one particular spot on themselves, such as their paws or their tail, it may be a sign that something else is wrong. If your pet lets you, gently examine that area for fleas, or any change in the skin or fur. It is never a bad idea to contact your vet or take your pet in for a checkup if there is anything abnormal looking in the spots that they have focused their licking. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of your Lhasa Apso. Medical Reasons Why Lhasa Apso’s Lick If it is difficult for you to train your dog not to lick, there could be a medical reason as to why. A few medical possibilities could be: FleasLick granulomas (sores caused by excessive licking to a particular area)AllergiesDigestive problemsNeurological problems Don’t worry: all of these medical conditions do have treatment options! Remember to try not to diagnose your pet on your own. A visit to the vet is always a good precaution if you sense abnormal licking behaviors in your Lhasa Apso. Vets will be able to more thoroughly examine your pet and help them find the treatment that they need. Main Reasons that Lhasa Apso’s Lick so Much & Basic Training Tactics Let’s cover the basics as to why your Lhasa Apso might be licking. Bad Habit and Boredom: This is the simplest explanation. Licking excessively could be a learned behavior. If licking is becoming a problem for you or your pet Lhasa Apso, the first thing that should be ruled out is this. You could try and train your pet to stop licking by saying “leave it,” “no licking,” “no,” or another command of your choosing. Use positive reinforcement and treats. You could also use a redirection tactic. If you see your dog licking themselves, an object, or a person, try and distract them by playing with them, with toys, by going outside, etc. See if this stops the behavior and if they can be trained this way to stop licking excessively. Sign of Affection Your dog may think that licking is a good thing! If they are licking an object or a person a lot, it could be a sign of love. This is how mother dogs communicate affection to their puppies, and it is definitely consistent in dog’s evolutionary behavior. However, if the licking is more annoying than loving in the owner’s eyes, dogs can usually be easily trained to stop. Similar to reversing a bad habit in the previous paragraph, distraction works well here. If your dog is licking you or an object, try and get their mind off of it by offering a toy or playtime. It is likely that they will forget about the licking once they are distracted. If they are licking a person, have the person move away from the dog, and give a command such as “no licking” whenever they start to lick. The dog will soon get the message that the person does not like being licked. Again, always use positive reinforcements and treats when they stop the behavior and listen to the owner. See also: ARE LHASA APSO’S EASY TO TRAIN Why Lhasa Apso’s Lick People According to Victoria Stillwell, from animalplanet.com, the reason that dogs, including Lhasa Apso’s lick their owners and other humans, are because "licking releases pleasurable endorphins which gives dogs a feeling of comfort and pleasure--- it relieves stress.” Again, dogs lick humans as a sign of affection, as well. If there is a particular area that you do not want your pet to lick, such as your face, you are likely to be able to train them accordingly, and by using some basic training tactics as discussed above. Why Lhasa Apso’s Lick Objects Ron Miller, from dogingtonpost.combrings up a good point as to why dogs lick objects. He reports that "the usual reason for dogs licking at things is that they are curious by nature, and they want to investigate things around them." If you bring new objects into the house or take a new route on a walk, dogs are going to want to figure out these new things. One of the ways that they can do that is to taste or lick. However, licking objects can quickly become a problem, and your dog can become sick from ingesting bacteria that they can pick up from an object or from something foreign outside. The best way to combat this behavior is by being firm with your dog, by using commands, and a strong voice, to get your pet Lhasa Apso to realize that this behavior is not okay. See also: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OWNING A LHASA APSO Related Questions Why does my Lhasa Apso lick other dogs? Dogs often lick each other for social reasons. It could be a greeting or a sign of affection between the dogs. Dogs are curious creatures, so they may often be interested in the scent and taste of another dog! Dogs licking each other is usually not a problem, and it is just their way of exploring each other. Can Lhasa Apso’s get hairballs? Yes. Hairballs are not just for cats. Frequently, Lhasa Apso's can get hairballs because they lick or chew at themselves and the hair doesn't get digested normally. Usually, hairballs in dogs are not considered a medical problem, but in some cases, hairballs can get stuck in their throats. The best thing for the owner to do to prevent this is to redirect your dog when they are licking or chewing at their fur and try to prevent it from becoming a habit. If this doesn’t work, a visit to the vet may be in order.

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