OK people, am I INSANE?

**steveandginger** · 12-29-2011, 09:34 PM

Gracie (now 4 months old) is a SWEEEET lab puppy, but...

...she is absolutely the LICKING-EST PUPPY EVER! When she first sees you (like in the morning when she wakes up), or ANYTIME you get down on her level, her obsessed desire is to LICK YOUR FACE!!!

I usually would think this is totally GROSS, and not let it happen. HOWEVER, I somehow am seeming to sense that this is some type of "bonding" thing for this particular dog. I don't know if I should just teach her to quit, or if I would be trying to override something that, for this dog, is important and that I should just learn to deal with it (and then go wash my face!)

Opinions here? What is the reason dogs lick, and is it actually something that I should learn to live with? Am I INSANE, or could there be a legit reason to go ahead and let her lick some (if it really IS a "bonding" thing for her...)

Steve

**deidra** · 12-29-2011, 09:46 PM

I don't let my dogs lick my face cuss I see what they eat,lol. If you don;t want her licking teach her not to lick. My grandpa has a dog that likes to lick fingers. I call him part rabbit and he wants the salt off my fingers

**Tanya** · 12-29-2011, 09:51 PM

if you don't like it just gently redirect (or correct) - I doubt you create any bonding issues over not letting the puppy lick you

**Sophiesmama** · 12-29-2011, 10:21 PM

I would just redirect her. Sophie likes to lick my feet! I think Gracie is just showing you affection in the way she knows how. Sophie will lick faces when we first get home after being gone, or when she wakes us in the morning. We just gently push her down and hug her neck and love on her.

**steveandginger** · 12-29-2011, 11:30 PM

Thanks everyone. Yes, Pam, that's generally what I do, too; like Sophie, Gracie usually does it sort of as a "I haven't seen you for a long time and I want to connect!" type of thing, and often I let her lick for a few seconds and then try to give her affection in a different way -- but occasionally (like if I'm about to get a shower anyway), I will let her lick. She won't stop, though!

Maybe I shouldn't let her. Who knows. Yes, Tanya, I'm probably not risking any "bonding" issues!

But, if she IS showing "love" in her way, maybe I should continue to try to go "in her direction" a little.

Deidra -- I try NOT to think about what she eats, when she licks me... !!

**tammyhuffman** · 12-30-2011, 04:25 AM

I wouldn't worry about licking being a bonding issue. My Lab/Border Collie does it and as much as she has been redirected in 5 years it has never stopped. Emma seems to have some sort of a compulsion for it, not just in the morning or upon arrival home. With exception to this somewhat annoying habit she is a well trained and very obedient dog.

. I do my best not to think of the things she has put in her mouth, I would be in need of medication.

**kassabella** · 12-30-2011, 05:07 AM

I was interested to see the comments. Gems the B.C does it and drives us nuts. Now I have Tessa and her goes to the point she will stand and lick someones leg or arm or whereever she can get. She will lick and lick and lick.
I have been trying to redirect and get her to have her baby in her mouth which works for awhile.

A few weekends ago I tried the very firm approach and kept telling her no lick..and telling people to push her away.
Later that night I was doing something and she went to come over to me, then stopped. I said come and have a cuddle. She wouldn't come near me and her tail that is constantly wagging wasn't. I had a thought..Oh my. She has got the wrong idea and thinks we are pushing her away. She doesn't know that licking isn't nice. I stopped doing it and gave her lots of cuddles to let her know we love her.

I wonder if it is a puppy thing and older dogs like Tess or Gems dogs who haven't had people around them so don't get that bonding as a puppy do it.?? Would love to know.

**dukesmommy22** · 12-30-2011, 08:48 AM

My Paisley is the same way! I have never in my life seen a dog that loves to give kisses like this girl. She literally gives me a bath, especially in the morning when she first sees me. It's like she can't stop. It doesn't bother DH and I but if it bothers you I would redirect her like others said. I think she's just showing her love!

**tammyhuffman** · 12-30-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by kassabella

I was interested to see the comments. Gems the B.C does it and drives us nuts. Now I have Tessa and her goes to the point she will stand and lick someones leg or arm or whereever she can get. She will lick and lick and lick.
I have been trying to redirect and get her to have her baby in her mouth which works for awhile.

A few weekends ago I tried the very firm approach and kept telling her no lick..and telling people to push her away.
Later that night I was doing something and she went to come over to me, then stopped. I said come and have a cuddle. She wouldn't come near me and her tail that is constantly wagging wasn't. I had a thought..Oh my. She has got the wrong idea and thinks we are pushing her away. She doesn't know that licking isn't nice. I stopped doing it and gave her lots of cuddles to let her know we love her.

I wonder if it is a puppy thing and older dogs like Tess or Gems dogs who haven't had people around them so don't get that bonding as a puppy do it.?? Would love to know.

I would also love to know Chris. Emma is from a litter I took at 6 weeks because the owner was going to dump them at a high kill shelter so she has been with us for 5+ years. I wonder if it is just a habit they get in to or if they are truly just showing their love. I can live with it, I love my Emma too much not to, lol.

**silverbyrd21** · 12-30-2011, 09:06 AM

my dog is obsessed with deodorant and will try to lick my armpit any chance she gets. It is so gross and she is so consistent! I have to avoid her for like 30 minutes after I put deodorant on!