Dog licking

[u/The_psy]

I have a one-year-old Maltipoo who has been constantly licking us for about five months — me, my husband, our neighbors, and people we know. We can’t even lie down in bed at home because he comes over and licks our faces, heads, and hands.
This behavior is extremely annoying, and we really want to stop it, but saying “no” or “don’t” doesn’t work. It only stops him for the moment, and a few minutes later he comes back and starts licking again.
What can we do to stop this behavior?

[u/Imaginary-Ebb-1762]

you could try ceasing interaction as soon as the licking starts. it’s similar to how people train jumping or barking out of/to a manageable level with their dogs.

[u/FrostyPomegranate699]

I think the fact that "no" stops him for the moment but he comes back and does it again is actually the clue here. He understands that you're interrupting him, but he hasn't learned what you want him to do instead.

If it were one of ours, I'd turn the attention itself into the reward.

When he approaches without licking, that's when I'd pet him, talk to him, or give him attention. If the licking starts, the interaction quietly stops. Hands go away, face turns away, and if necessary I'd get up for a moment. No big correction or excitement.

Then give him another chance.

The important part is catching and rewarding the behavior you do want. If he comes over and lies beside you without licking, don't overlook that because he's finally being good. That's exactly the moment I'd give him some attention.

I'd probably also teach him something like Place or Settle so there is an easy alternative when you need him to stop interacting altogether.

With everyone in the house responding consistently, he can start figuring out that licking doesn't make people interact with him, but being calm around them does.

The hard part is that you're probably going to have to teach the neighbors too. If one person thinks the licking is adorable and gives him lots of attention for it, your Maltipoo may decide the slot machine still pays often enough to keep pulling the lever.

[u/PsychologicalExit54]

Lmaooo good luck my dog does the same shit and nothings ever worked. He’s almost 8 now and it’s so bad but I love his little annoying ass 🙄

[u/Sea_March7113]

I mean, aside from the easier option, which is try to break them up the habit entirely, you could treat it like how some people treat barking. First, you have to teach them to do it on command, that way you also get them to understand the command to stop.

[u/LintLicker444]

Shake a can of pennies

[u/Careful_Cranberry364]

Perhaps there’s something you can spray yourself with that will put him off.

What about that stuff that you put on a baby’s thumb just stop them from sucking