Leo picked up (what we call it) a bad habit. He continously wants to lick everything, wether it's his bed, the carpet, the couch, the bedding on our bed, his nose or even 'air licking'. I've googled to see if other's have the same issues with their dogs and have found many do. I've read that this may be a sign of anxiety, attention seeking, health problems, boredom, OCD even. Our vet has reassured us that it's not health related, just a bad habit he has picked up. Does anyone else experience this? Sorry if this thread has already been started. Thanks for your help.
Replies
KatB (about 1 year ago)
Yes Trinity25_99, China Rose licks everything as well. BUT! She also licks her front paws due to allergy problems in Spring and Fall seasons. When my late pug Sulynn was around, China and her had long periods of licking each others faces, that would go on and on. If I told them to stop, they would walk over and lay down by me and start licking my legs, and feet. HA! It never stops. To Me? It's a pug thing. Many on this forum have stated that their pugs lick all the time.
Marta (about 1 year ago)
Yeah my pug does that too, I even catch him licking the walls sometimes! He did it more when he was younger though, now it seems to have calmed down. Either way it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, all the pugs I've met so far seem to do the same.
z28susan (about 1 year ago)
Our oldest Pug licks 24/7.... Our middle pug never licks and now our baby pug has started the licking habit... They will lick anything and everything... lol
Shpigford Staff (about 1 year ago)
We've been to the vet on many occasions trying to solve this (it drives us insane).
Baxter seems to just have nasty allergy issues (which we're having trouble getting a handle on) and Sofia appears to just be OCD...making it a behavioral issue to tackle.
We're trying out various meds now to try and get a handle on it, so hopefully will know more in the next few weeks.
TRINITY25_99 (about 1 year ago)
Thanks everyone! LOL ... It drives my husband and I nuts as well. The more we say 'No' the more he wants to lick, so I just mentioned to my husband 'Let's ignore him and see if the licking will subside' ahhhhh ya .... No! Can't say we didn't try
I don't think Leo has allergies, because he will groom himself normally, it's just the licking of EVERYTHING else! We thought OCD or anixety and were going to mention trying him on a herbal med of some sort, so we will see, I'd really like not to get to that point, but before we do anything at all, we will talk with our vet. Leo has an appt coming up soon for his heartworm, so we'll touch base then. Thanks again for all your help, I am glad I don't stand in this alone 
charliemurphy (about 1 year ago)
the licking is most likely a response to being excited or his tongue itches. often allergies can make the pug's tongue tickle, so in response the dog feels the need to lick something to itch it. my little guy used to be a lot worse, he still will lick my elbows or the blanket when we go to bed, but he doesn't lick everything like he used to. i think the diet is the most likely reason this changed. he is on a grain free diet now. fleas might also be a culprit, my little guy is very sensitive to even one flea bite.
three_cute (about 1 year ago)
Sammer also is a air licker and he loves to lick ears when he is really excited and happy we are home...gotta watch him tho cos he likes to kiss also...lol....we are just used to it now that he is almost two...he has been doing it since we brought him home as a little pugger! we first thought there was something serious wrong with him when he started to lick the air, then i read everyone elses posts and realized it was pugtypical! deb and kids
lillianthepug (about 1 year ago)
Both my girls are avid lickers! Lilly, mostly at night when she is getting ready for bed and Daisy all the time--especially her mommy and daddy. At first, it drived us nuts but we did eventually get used to it.
JakeandHolly (about 1 year ago)
Miette licks everything too. Ami and Palin will have their moments but she does it all the time. It's so gross sounding too.
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