I need a little bit of help. My dog, Gordo, is a 3 yr old wonderful and loving american pit bull terrier. I don't have any behavior problems with chewing or pottying in the house, and he is very good with his basic obedience, but he has a licking problem. He licks...EVERYTHING! From the carpet to the walls and windows, to peoples shoes, he licks and licks. I thought it was because of his skin allergies, but he is now on a steady dose of benedryl and the licking still continues. I have asked my vet of any remedies and he does not know of any. I have looked in training books and so on and still, nothing says anything about licking habits, only chewing. I have seen sprays that you can get, but I can't spray everything in my house! I am affraid that if I clean my house, he will lick and it will make him sick. So, if anyone knows of anything to break him of this little habit, please help.
Thanks,
Katie

Maybe you could try spraying him with water or putting pennies in a can and shaking them when he licks? He may become used to it though. I really don't know if it would work. Never heard of a licking problem.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cavielover,

LOL

I wonder if compulsive licking is a pit bull trait? My pittie has the same problem, and for the most part we've taught her a "no licking" commaned, but sometimes she just gets too excited and goes into a licking spell.

Ha, I have a pit and a pit mix (who knows what she really is) and they both seem to have the licking problem. Although not to the degree in which yours seems to lick.

He may be licking because he's bored, or there might even be some vitamin/mineral deficiency he's trying to make up for. Your best bet (if it's due to boredom) is probably just following him around for a while and giving him other options when he starts to compulsively lick (give him a rawhide, fill a Kong with peanut butter, and so on).

Thanks for the input. I don't know if it is just a pitty trait or what, but apparently, we are not the only ones with the licking situation. I have talked to many other pitt owners and they all say the same thing..lick, lick, lick. Some more than others. I have tried the Kongs and he apparently likes the rubber taste b/c he wont just lick them, he EATS them..lol. AH, the wonderful life of a pitt..so I don't give him those anymore. I will try the rawhide though. I was always told not to give them to dogs b/c it upsets their tummies. Again, thanks!

With rawhides you have to use some caution. I try to use them sparingly (pretty much only 1-2 times a week) and I only buy ones made in the USA. Foreign-made ones can contain some nasty chemicals. Did you try the red or the black Kong? The black is tougher than the red.

You also say your dog is on benadryl for skin allergies, do you know what he is allergic to? It could very well be something in his food. One of mine is very sensitive to wheat products, and if he even has some small treats that contain wheat he starts itching and licking himself incessantly. Common allergies can be corn, wheat, and grass. If it's a grass allergy, your vet can give him a steroid (I think) shot that should help immensely. But the licking because of an allergy is just one of the possibilities that crossed my mind.

Is your dog getting enough exercise? The bully breeds need a LOT of exercise. Mine takes a three mile walk in the morning, and then around 1 mile in the afternoon. Then he's nicely tired out and takes a long nap.This type of licking is an obsessive behavior usually stemming from a lack of mental and physical stimulation. Obedience training tires out the dog mentally and physically as well. So if you aren't doing it already, try obedience training, and long walks, as well as his playtime. The obedience should be done every day, say five to ten minutes a session, two or three times a day. Also agility training is great for tiring him out physically and mentally. May not feel the need to lick constantly if he's so tired. Good Luck!