Dogs don’t have hands, so their mouths get used quite often in their daily lives. Your dog may eat the most disgusting things, but they also use their mouths to explore their surroundings. Dogs don’t have the best taste buds, which is why they will eat anything. Instead, they use their tongue and smell to discover their environment.
What does it mean when your dog licks your furniture and couch?
Compulsive Behavior – The Cause of Couch Licking
This is the main reason for couch licking. Compulsive behavior can manifest as severe licking. Dogs may lick their paws or other dogs, as well as any object they find tasty or easy to lick.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition in which humans manifest obsessive behavior, counting, fear, and rigid routines. Although dogs don’t exhibit the same compulsion as humans, their symptoms are still compulsive and often involve abnormal variations of normal behaviors.
Compulsion in dogs can manifest as licking. Dogs can lick anything they want, but if they start to lick something excessively or in situations that you would consider abnormal, your dog may have a compulsion disorder.
What Causes Compulsive Behavior?
Stress or major life changes are the most common causes of this behavior. Perhaps you have recently moved, had a baby, or introduced a pet. All of these things can cause compulsive behavior in your dog. Your dog will feel relaxed if you lick him.
Endorphins begin to flow when a dog starts to lick their face during stress. The dog quickly realizes that licking causes a surge of positive emotions during stressful situations. Because of their power to associate, if they happen to be licking furniture or couches when they get their endorphin rush, they will keep going back to the couch.
How Do You Stop the Couch Licking?
Compulsive behavior can be treated in two steps. Always start with a vet visit. Sometimes stress can be caused by physical pain or other medical problems, and it’s best to rule out any medical issues.
A medical visit can also help you get your dog on medication to reduce anxiety and compulsion.
Behavior modification is necessary if your dog is not licking compulsively due to medical conditions. You can either hire a trainer to help your dog, or you can do it yourself. It is good to redirect their anxiety towards something productive and more normal, such as exercise.
Your dog will eventually start to notice anxiety cues. You can stop them from spiraling into a panic attack by learning how to recognize these cues. Your dog’s mind can be stimulated by a slight increase in activity and socialization, and this can help reduce stress.
Although couch licking may seem harmless at first, it can lead to other health problems for your dog. Compulsive dogs can end up licking their skin until they have bald patches, skin infections, or hot spots. To prevent your dog from developing other difficult-to-break behaviors, you should immediately stop your dog from compulsive licking.
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