Licky Dog

[Zen]

OK, sombody explain why Roxina has this obsessive compulsive licking disorder? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuy-bSPdpkw)

Poor Ginger.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One of my cats licks her chops and and grooms herself obsessively when she has gum inflammation due to whenever her kidneys start functioning poorly. The licking apparently soothes her swollen inflamed (and possibly itchy?) gums. Then we need to make sure she gets more fluids in order to flush the toxins from her kidneys better. After a couple of weeks with more fluid in her diet, her gums improve and she doesn't lick so much. Just one possibility of many.

[bmccasland]

Zen - I'm at home, thus can't see videos (dang dial-up). Did this possibly start with some sort of bug bite? I had the same problem with Nala, my Aussie shepherd, and battled it for years I'm afraid to say. She constantly licked her left foreleg, and had three lick granulomas at the worst of it. Part of her anxiousness was that I was an unhappy camper.

What worked: I changed jobs. Started walking Nala every day for 20-30 minutes. Treated the wounds with antibiotic ointment that had some pain killer in it (OTC), covered with a sterile dressing, wrapped with kling gauze, then wrapped in kerlex (put those EMT skills to good use!). Fortunately Nala would leave the dressing alone. Change the dressing daily until the wound started healing. Yell "NO LICK" any time I heard the slurp slurp slurp.

You've got to redirect the pup's mind when they're doing the Obsessive-Compulsive thing, every time. Does pup get regular long walks? Not stroll around sniff every bush, but out there with a purpose, cover territory, brisk walk for 20-30 minutes every day? Maybe even twice daily?

Ever watch Ceasar Milan, the Dog Whisperer? I learned a lot watching his show.

[Zen]

Watch this when you get home.
She licks everything. Herself, Ginger, upholstery, chair arms...it's maddening!

[bmccasland]

Watch this when you get home.
She licks everything. Herself, Ginger, upholstery, chair arms...it's maddening!

I'm at home, thus the cheap internet option of dial-up. When I'm at work, I have high speed. I just have to be careful what sites I visit. :o

Sounds like the dog needs a job in life, and enough exercise to tire it out. Hook doogie to a leash and go for a run / bike ride?

[Biciclista]

Now that i've seen the video, are you sure that there isn't steak juice on that other dog's backside? In cats social grooming is a big plus. the groomer would lick the other cat (notice the dog laying down was not complaining) until the recipient gets tired of it, but it's a way to get into the good graces of another.
I've had cats that licked themselves raw, that's a very different thing, a nervous disorder, or like bmccasland, they need a job to do, they have all this energy and nowhere to go with it.

[TsPoet]

It's interesting. When dogs lick themselves, usually the paws or legs, it's considered to be either nerves or aches. But, I've never seen a dog lick another dog like that. I still wonder, though, if it's nerves.
Murphy started licking his paws when I got Finagle over a year ago. I do find with him that I can distract him - it's a fine line, though, a playful ball or something could reinforce the behavior= When I lick Mom plays with me.
Have you tried something like a Kong? The Kong works for my mom and her Rottie - the Rottie has had several knee surgeries and she can use the Kong to distract the dog away from chewing on her knees.
http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html
I don't think that would be a permanent 100% of the time distraction, though - or you'd end up with one fat dog. Maybe occasionally put peanut butter on the kong, so it's a lick toy and reinforces the lick toy aspect of it.

[sundial]

Some dogs do develop behavior similar to OCD and their vet prescribes an Rx for this.

[OakLeaf]

Measle was a compulsive licker also, although I don't think to that extent. He'd lick people and other dogs. He did have a lick granuloma late in his life, but he'd been a licker from a puppy. I think obsessive/compulsive traits probably was it - he was VERY clingy and needy (apparently abandoned as a pup), so probably licking helped him feel like he was bonding with the lick-ee. He did tend to do it more when he was stressed.

[Zen]

I guess i'll ask the vet next time I'm there.
She is clingy (she's my living, breathing lumbar support) and very protective.

This dog has issues :p:o

[sundial]

All dogs have issues. :) I've had one that was unnerved by anything loud, like low battery alarm in our smoke alarm, thunder, gun shots (by the area hunters sighting in their rifles), backfire, etc. I have another one that detests anything that comes close to her ears. She hates having her ears looked at. :rolleyes:

[greycoral]

Watch this when you get home.
She licks everything. Herself, Ginger, upholstery, chair arms...it's maddening!

Our Boston Terrier is like this too. He licks his paws all the time (he's got allergies), and will often lick our other dog like your video. I have always thought it was a submissive sort of thing, our pug (the other dog) is definitely the alpha in this house. But he does like to lick the furniture, your hands, jeans, anything!!

[kermit]

We have a german shepard at work(police k9) that started licking the inside of the car and seats on a daily basis. He was starting to have an allergy to his food and soon began vomiting, eating grass. Food change helped and it has since stopped. I think like previously mentioned licking can be a sign of pain, especially licking other objects such as your dog. My JRT has BAD food allergies which are shown by him licking his own feet.
It can also be a grooming thing. Really weird. Stop putting peanut butter on the other dogs butt.

[Aggie_Ama]

One of my schnauzers is always liking the other to the point of giving her raw skin! The vet recommended bitter apple sprayed on the one that is getting licked.

[bmccasland]

When Nala was licking to the point of OCD - bitter apple didn't even phase her. We'd bandage her wounds, bitter apple the dressing, she switched legs. Tried Valerian (herbal tranquelizer - on recommendation of her vet), that made her mellow, and a slower licker. It took a lot of work to break the cycle. But what hit home for me was talking to my sister one evening - who pointed out that I was stressed beyond control, and my dog was picking up on that. Not saying that this is true for everyone. Dogs used to be working animals, they had jobs to do, and were happier with duties, rules, and routines. Being just balls of fluff tends to drive them nuts.

[Tuckervill]

My old Percy licked everything in sight for the last few years of her life, especially the carpet. Sometimes she just licked the air. It seemed like the worse her eyesight got, the more she licked. She didn't lick her skin raw, though she did lick herself a lot.

I didn't see it as behavior worth changing, because she was so old (she was 20 when she died). I never allow a dog to lick me, so as long as she didn't lick me, or certain pieces of furniture, I didn't care.

Karen

[jesvetmed]

ZEN: I remember learning in a behavior course that constant licking provides a feedback from the brain that is pleasurable -- sort of like endorphin release (maybe it was endorphins... it's been a long time ago now :rolleyes:)

So sometimes they start for a particular reason, and then just continue because they are bored, it's pleasurable, etc.

I'd have your OTHER dog checked for fleas or mild skin infection -- they will clean each other when there is a problem like yeast / bacteria that you and I may not smell, but they can and want to "fix" it!

Also, have your dog checked for any other medical problems. It is a very unusual presentation of medical disorders, but good to have full checkup and blood-work screen done if you can.

I totally second the KONG .. it is an amazing treat dispenser... I stuff them with peanut butter or canned food (or a mix). Also you can stuff dry treats in there. They will spend a lot of time working to get these out.
One warning... my dog is too smart. She learned that if she tosses the Kong the goodies come out easier -- she almost broke our window by throwing the Kong at it. No more Kong for her!

Just interrupting the behavior ("NO"), and then rewarding your dog with a new item to pay attention to. Increased exercise if they aren't getting enough daily. Increased brain activity of any kind.

Pretty amazing to watch, though! If your other dog doesn't have skin problems yet, it will!

Good Luck.
Jes

[Dogmama]

ZEN:
Also, have your dog checked for any other medical problems. It is a very unusual presentation of medical disorders, but good to have full checkup and blood-work screen done if you can.

Good Luck.
Jes

I second the blood work up. I have one done every year on my dog & cat. It's expensive but worth it. Remember that they can't tell us when they're sick.

OTOH, Zen, your dog is probably just a nut case. If I had somebody playing an accordion at me, I'd flip out too. :D

[Dogmama]

One of my cats licks her chops and and grooms herself obsessively when she has gum inflammation due to whenever her kidneys start functioning poorly. The licking apparently soothes her swollen inflamed (and possibly itchy?) gums. Then we need to make sure she gets more fluids in order to flush the toxins from her kidneys better. After a couple of weeks with more fluid in her diet, her gums improve and she doesn't lick so much. Just one possibility of many.

My cat was licking the fur off of his side. Turns out that he has a little arthritis in his hip. We added a glucosamine kitty treat and he's stopped licking.

I thought he was a nut case. Really - my vet said some animals as they age get a little OCD going on. In my house, it's probably contagious. He got it from me.

[katluvr]

Yes, we have a cat named Lucky (maybe it is cuz the name is more like a dog name) and she "licks me like a dawg!" (That is what we say all the time in my house!)
She doesn't lick herself or other excessivly...but I joking call her a dog...she likes my (or her other mommy's) face tries to do it all night long when she is in bed w/ me. I have to cover my face. And lately she has taken to trying to lay on my head to sleep!
Wonder why I am tired in the AM?!

[ibcycling]

I'd have your OTHER dog checked for fleas or mild skin infection -- they will clean each other when there is a problem like yeast / bacteria that you and I may not smell, but they can and want to "fix" it!

Also, have your dog checked for any other medical problems. It is a very unusual presentation of medical disorders, but good to have full checkup and blood-work screen done if you can.

Good Luck.
Jes

Great idea! Any time a behavior changes and something weird shows up is a good time for a med check. Licking might be OCD but also might have started because of a medical issue. How long has the licking been going on? Any changes in diet, exercise, environment?

Lora