Tips for dealing with a dog’s excessive licking

Dear Cathy: I have a 7-year-old male shih tzu named Chipper. After eating breakfast and supper, Chipper will lick the rug in the living room.

Why does he do this? Is he bored? I got him when he was about 3. I am open to suggestions on how I can break this habit. — Norman, Plainview, New York

Dear Norman: Excessive licking can result from boredom, allergies, tooth or gum pain or anxiety, all of which can become a habit if left unchecked.

Rule out a health problem first, such as food allergies or oral problems. If it’s food allergies, your vet might recommend switching to a different protein, such as duck or salmon because some dogs develop allergies to chicken. If it’s tooth issues or gum disease, your dog might be licking the rug to make his mouth feel better and might need treatment.

If it’s boredom, give him some puzzle-based toy to work on after meals, such as a Kong toy filled with treats and a little treat spray (liverflavored) or a little peanut butter (nothing with xylitol). Freezing it gives your dog more of a challenge.

If it is anxiety, licking releases endorphins, and that makes a dog feel better. Plugin some canine pheromones after he eats and incorporate training with some busy work.

For example, when Chipper begins to lick his paws, get his attention by saying, “Chipper, no lick.” When he hears his name, he should look at you. Tell him “bingo” (his special training word) and give him a treat. If he doesn’t look at you, shake a can of coins to interrupt the behavior and get his attention. Follow with the reward word and treat. Then give him a puzzle toy, such as the Kong with frozen treats, so he must “think” about how to get the treats out and forgets about licking.

Take him for a walk or play fetch with him before his meals so he is more likely to be tired after he eats.

If he is healthy and none of these ideas works, talk to your veterinarian about introducing anti-anxiety medication and combine it with the training until he breaks the habit.