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.