We’ve all been there. You’re trying to relax on the couch when you hear it—that rhythmic slurp, slurp, slurp echoing across the room. Or maybe your dog greets you at the door with a tongue assault that leaves your face dripping. Or perhaps you’ve noticed your pup obsessively licking their paws until the fur is stained and damp.

Doggy “kisses” are adorable… until they’re not. If your dog’s licking has gone from sweet to excessive, you’re probably wondering: Why does my dog lick so much, and how can I make it stop?

The good news? There’s almost always a reason behind the licking, and once you understand what’s driving the behavior, you can help your dog break the habit.

Why Do Dogs Lick? Understanding Normal vs. Excessive Licking

Here’s something important to remember: licking is one of your dog’s primary forms of communication.

From the moment they’re born, dogs learn about the world through licking. Mother dogs lick their puppies to stimulate breathing, clean them, and show affection. Puppies lick their mothers and littermates to communicate submission, request food, and bond socially. In the wild, licking is a submissive gesture that can literally save a dog’s life by showing respect to more dominant pack members.

So, when is dog licking normal, and when has it crossed into problematic territory?

Normal dog licking includes:

Occasional face licks as greetings
Grooming themselves after meals or outdoor activities
Licking wounds (in moderation)
Brief licking to show affection

Excessive dog licking looks like:

Constant licking of people, furniture, or objects
Obsessive paw licking or leg chewing
Licking the air repeatedly (also called “flash-licking”)
Licking that interferes with daily activities or causes skin damage
Licking that seems compulsive or impossible to interrupt

What Does Excessive Dog Licking Mean? 4 Common Causes

Dogs typically lick excessively for one (or more) of these four reasons:

1. To Communicate and Show Affection

Your dog might be saying “I love you, human!” or “Pay attention to me!” Many dogs learn that licking gets them exactly what they want—your attention. Even negative attention (such as pushing them away or saying “no”) can reinforce the behavior because they receive a response.

Signs this is the cause:

Licking happens when you arrive home or during cuddle time
Your dog makes eye contact while licking
The licking stops when you engage or give attention
It’s mostly directed at people, not objects

2. To Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Licking releases endorphins, which creates a calming effect. Think of it as your dog’s version of stress-eating or nail-biting. Dogs dealing with separation anxiety, fear of thunderstorms, or general nervousness often lick compulsively to self-soothe.

Signs anxiety might be the culprit:

Licking increases during stressful events (storms, fireworks, when you leave)
Your dog shows other anxiety symptoms like pacing, panting, or whining
The licking seems compulsive and hard to interrupt
It intensifies during changes in routine

3. Because They’re Bored or Under-Stimulated

Here’s a scenario: Your high-energy dog is stuck inside all day with nothing to do. Their brain needs stimulation, their body needs exercise, and licking gives them something to focus on. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.

Signs of boredom-related licking:

Your dog licks random objects like furniture, walls, or floors
It happens most when they’ve had little exercise or mental stimulation
Your dog seems restless or destructive in other ways
The behavior improves dramatically after walks or playtime

4. Because They’re in Pain or Uncomfortable

This is the most concerning reason, and it’s crucial not to overlook it. Dogs often lick painful or itchy areas compulsively. If your dog is constantly licking their paws, legs, or a specific body part, something might be wrong.

Medical causes of excessive licking include:

Skin allergies (food or environmental)
Hot spots or skin infections
Arthritis or joint pain
Gastrointestinal issues (causing them to lick objects or the air)
Dental disease or oral pain
Parasites like fleas or mites
Neurological issues

How to Stop Your Dog from Licking: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to tackle the slobber situation? Here’s how to address excessive dog licking based on the underlying cause.

Step 1: Rule Out Medical Issues First

Before trying behavioral modifications, schedule a vet checkup. Your veterinarian can examine your dog for allergies, skin conditions, arthritis, dental disease, and other medical problems that might be causing discomfort.

If your dog has been licking excessively for more than a few days, or if you notice any physical symptoms like redness, hair loss, or limping, don’t wait. Pain-related licking won’t improve with training alone; you need to address the underlying condition.

Step 2: Identify the Trigger

Keep a licking log for a few days. Note when the licking happens, what your dog is licking, and what’s going on around them. Look for patterns:

Time of day
Before or after meals
Related to your comings and goings
During weather events
After specific activities

Understanding the trigger is half the battle. Once you know why your dog is licking, you can create a targeted solution.

Step 3: Address the Root Cause

Now let’s get specific about solutions based on what’s driving the behavior.

How to Stop Attention-Seeking Licking

If your dog licks to communicate affection or get attention, the solution is counterintuitive: completely ignore the behavior.

Here’s what to do:

When your dog starts licking, immediately turn your back and walk away
Don’t make eye contact, don’t speak, don’t push them away (even that’s attention!)
Wait until they stop licking, then reward calm behavior with pets or praise
Teach an alternative greeting behavior, like sitting for attention
Be consistent; everyone in the household must follow the same rules

Why this works: Dogs repeat behaviors that get results. If licking no longer gets your attention, your dog will try something else. The key is consistency! If you ignore it 90% of the time but give in 10% of the time, you’re actually teaching your dog to be persistent.

Pro tip: Give your dog plenty of positive attention when they’re NOT licking. Catch them being calm and reward that behavior instead.

How to Stop Anxiety-Related Licking

Is your dog an anxious licker? This requires a more comprehensive approach to address the underlying anxiety, not just the symptom.

Strategies that help:

Identify and minimize triggers:

If thunderstorms cause anxiety, create a “safe space” like a covered crate with calming music
For separation anxiety, practice short departures and gradually build up time alone
Use calming aids like anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers, or calming supplements

Desensitization training:

Gradually expose your dog to anxiety triggers at low intensity
Pair the trigger with positive experiences (treats, play, praise)
Slowly increase exposure as your dog becomes more comfortable

Provide outlet behaviors:

Offer a lick mat with peanut butter or yogurt (frozen for longer distraction)
Give puzzle toys or frozen Kongs when you know anxiety will spike

When to consider medication: If your dog’s anxiety is severe or not responding to training, talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication. Many dogs only need medication temporarily while working through behavioral modification.

How to Stop Boredom Licking (The Easy Fix!)

If boredom is causing the licking, you’re in luck! This is the easiest problem to solve, and the solutions benefit your dog’s overall health and happiness.

The boredom-busting action plan:

Increase physical exercise:

Add an extra walk each day (even 15 minutes helps)
Try new activities: swimming, fetch, hiking, dog sports
Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily for most dogs
Adjust intensity based on your dog’s age, breed, and fitness level

Add mental stimulation:

Food puzzle toys make mealtime a brain workout
Hide-and-seek games with treats or toys
Training sessions teaching new tricks (even 5-10 minutes daily)
Sniff walks where your dog sets the pace and explores scents
Rotate toys to keep things interesting

Consider doggy daycare or a dog walker:

Even 1-2 days a week can make a huge difference
Provides socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation
Particularly helpful if you work long hours

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. The more energy you help your dog burn through appropriate outlets, the less energy they’ll have for unwanted behaviors like excessive licking. Many pet parents are amazed at how many behavior problems improve once their dog gets adequate exercise.

Step 4: Redirect and Replace the Behavior

Rather than just saying “no” to licking, give your dog an alternative behavior that meets the same need.

Redirection strategies:

When you notice early licking signs, immediately engage your dog in a different activity
Offer a chew toy, start a quick training session, or initiate play
Use a command like “go to your bed” to move them away from the licking target
Keep high-value treats handy to reward when they choose something other than licking

Step 5: Be Patient and Consistent

Breaking a licking habit doesn’t happen overnight. Most behaviors take 2-4 weeks of consistent training to change. Some tips for success:

Stay consistent with your response every single time
Make sure everyone in your household follows the same rules
Celebrate small improvements—less licking is still progress
Don’t punish the licking; simply redirect and ignore
If progress stalls, reassess whether you’ve correctly identified the cause

When Excessive Licking Might Be OCD or Compulsive Disorder

In rare cases, excessive licking can develop into a compulsive disorder similar to OCD in humans. Canine compulsive disorder happens when licking becomes so ingrained that it continues even when the original trigger is gone.

Signs of compulsive licking:

Licking that seems uncontrollable or frantic
Self-injury from licking (raw skin, hair loss, infections)
Licking that interferes with eating, sleeping, or normal activities
Your dog seems unable to stop, even when you try to interrupt
The behavior has been going on for months despite intervention

If you suspect compulsive disorder, work with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist. Treatment typically combines medication with intensive behavior modification.

Listening to Your Dog’s Signals

Now you know—it could be affection, anxiety, boredom, or discomfort. The key is to play detective to determine what’s driving your specific dog’s behavior.

Remember these key points:

Always rule out medical causes first with a vet checkup
Identify the specific trigger through observation
Address the root cause, not just the symptom
Provide alternative outlets and behaviors
Be patient and consistent with training

Most dogs can learn to lick less with the right approach. Whether that means more exercise, anxiety management, or simply teaching them that sitting quietly gets more attention than slobbery kisses, there’s almost always a solution.

And hey, a few doggy kisses here and there? Those are still pretty sweet, right?

Stay Updated on the Future of Pet Care

From everyday wellness tips to the latest research in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies for pets, our newsletter keeps you informed on what matters most to your dog’s health.

Subscribe Now

How Can I Get My Dog to Stop Licking So Much?