Why does my dog lick the couch? Well, there could be a few reasons!
I like to lick a lot, but I only like to lick two things: my plate clean after a good meal, and I lick my humans to show them I love them.
I’m not really one of those dogs that are big into licking my toys or my fur or even my sleeping quarters, but let me tell you – I know loads of dogs who love to lick. They lick themselves. They lick their friends and family. They even lick the floor or bed. Does your dog do this? I’ve heard that one favorite licking spot of all dogs is the family couch. Weird, huh? Are you wondering “Why does my dog lick the couch like a maniac?” Well, there are a couple reasons why dogs lick in excess. Maybe one of these reasons will speak to your pup’s behavior.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Well, if your dog licks and licks and doesn’t stop even if you redirect her, there’s a good chance it’s an obsessive disorder. She will lick obsessively, and especially when stressed. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian right away if your dog is showing signs of obsessional behavior. You might also want to work with a trainer to redirect your furry friend, so the OCD doesn’t show up in different areas of her life as well.
Comfort
Do you bite your nails? This is a stress-induced human habit that usually creates some form of comfort for the nail biter. Licking things, like couches, is a very similar habit in dogs. The act of licking, what dogs will do to other dogs in packs, comforts that dog enough to relax.
If your dog licks the bed before falling asleep, like my friends Lucy and Fenway, it’s probably just a nighttime habit she created over time. This is likely her version of counting sheep. I mean, why would a dog count sheep to fall asleep? Sounds a little silly, doesn’t it?
Boredom
Does your dog get enough exercise and attention? If you work long hours and your dog is alone without much interaction, she’s probably super bored! Make sure to take the time to throw a ball around with your dog, take her to the dog park, or let her run loose in your yard. Dogs that are regularly bored can develop bad habits such as licking furniture and other items excessively.
Grooming
After birth, a mother dog will groom her babies by licking them. This habit continues through adulthood as soon dogs begin to lick themselves in order to stay cleaning groomed. In the process of grooming herself, your dog may pick up smells or tastes of human skin particles on your couch, and begin licking the couch to clean – or groom – your tastes and smells as well.
Keep in mind, if your dog starts licking furniture or other items out of the blue, it’s always a good idea to speak with your veterinarian to rule out any medical or neurological issues. If you find your dog keeps licking the couch, be sure to keep an eye on her tongue. It should be just fine, but it’s always a good idea to make sure she doesn’t get any cuts or scrapes from excessive licking.
Have you ever wondered, “Why does my dog lick the couch all the time?” If so, let us know why you think your furry friend licks your living room furniture!
Side note: Do you run a business in the pet industry? Would you like to drive more traffic and sales to your site through a search-optimized pet blog? Get in touch with my office-mates at Lantern Content Marketing!
Our last two dogs have done this licking the furniture were they lay until it’s soaking wet. Never herd of ocd.
This one misty is 6 now what can we do she is very stubborn and does not stop doing This when she is told. Any idea what we can do. We want new furniture and won’t get it because of this.
This may be of no help, but I have the same problem, although with two of the three it is only seasonal. My male pit does it year round. My other two will do the licking of the sofa January, February and early March. As it is cold outside, physical activity declines in winter. I did a little test last year and started getting up earlier and took the dogs for a long as possible walk prior to work and a shorter walk right when I got home from work. I noticed a substantial decline in the licking from the two seasonal lickers. I hope this helps a bit. Sadly, I have resigned myself to the fact my sofas will always have the super-attractive protective sheets. As I have a slight addiction to the smell of Gain, I just use the bi-weekly changing of aforementioned sheets as further reason to have house reeking of Gain!
Oops, and this year I got some flat foam pieces from upholstery store, cut to fit sofa, covered with fitted sheet and would place on sofas while at work. If I am having company I can simply remove completely and the extra foam keeps dog saliva from saturating the actual sofa. It may seem a drag, but the foam piece actually makes the daily process quick and easy. Hope this helps or gives you some ideas that might work for you and yours!
Good Material.
I noticed our beagle licking the couches after we got new leather couches. He licks the floor as well but has done that for years. We use water and vinegar on the hardwood floors. Could the leather be the reason he likes to lick the new furniture?
I’ve had various dogs just…. Lick the couch. My two boys who do it now are Puggle litter mates. I’m wondering if maybe they have OCD? Neither of the other two dogs in the house do it…
I also have an upholstery licker! I have a male pit who is constantly licking not only the couches but pillows as well. He will literally take off the pillow case so that he can lick the pillow obsessively! Thanks for the comments because before I read these I never thought that it could be as simple as boardum! It is winter, it’s cold out and as pit owners we know that they love to be outside all day running and jumping playing around. Pits are such attention hogs, its something so small yet so needeed! He is definitely inside more during the winter months and needing that interaction somehow, without they then become bored and stressed out!
My dog just started licking the furniture and floor out of the blue. I don’t know
now why? Should I take her to the Vet?
I have a 9 year old chocolate phatoam toy poodle. He doesn’t lick the couch constantly, only certain time of the day. He always licks the back of the couch where a person would test thiet head. I licks is a comfort thing. He smells he family and friend and he is comfortable, at peace, and then naps?? What do you think! Have a great day and Thanks for all the info. Vivian and Romeo.🐩🐩🐩🐩🐾🐾🐾🐾
I have a small dog who is deff, that sleeps with me, he licks the blanket till it’s wet.
And has very bad anxiety separation. Hard to correct him when he can’t hear.
When I go to my grand piano to play, my male dog will lie down R on the couch ight where I usually sit. If I don’t watch him he will lick it until it’s soaking wet. I moved my piano so when I’m on the stool, I can see him. Thankfully it’s a grand because I can see over it. When I catch him in the act I say “stop licking” and he immediately stops. His obsessive licking has almost ceased now. I think it’s important to be able to catch them in the act otherwise they don’t understand what they’ve done if you just point out their wet deed after the fact. Now that I seem to have nipped this in the bud, I notice that he watches me intently when I’m playing – probably to see if I’m also playing referee to his behaviour!
I have an OCD dog. (Toy poodle terrier mix). We got another dog to help with stress (a Yorkie) and he as well learned from the other dog to lick the couch…:0). We now keep all dogs off furniture, which seems to help a lot. They’re not into licking a hairy carpet as much. The walking helps a lot, but with our OCD critter, he will always have a little display of OCD.
I have realized that car insurance organizations know the motors which are vulnerable to accidents along with risks. Additionally, these people know what form of cars are prone to higher risk plus the higher risk they’ve already the higher the actual premium amount. Understanding the straightforward basics associated with car insurance will allow you to choose the right type of insurance policy that should take care of your wants in case you get involved in an accident. Thank you for sharing the actual ideas for your blog.
Thanks for this article. I would also like to state that it can possibly be hard if you are in school and starting out to create a long credit rating. There are many students who are simply just trying to pull through and have a lengthy or good credit history can be a difficult thing to have.
My husband and i have been now cheerful Michael managed to finish up his researching through your ideas he gained out of the blog. It is now and again perplexing just to possibly be giving away instructions some others may have been selling. So we discover we have got the blog owner to appreciate because of that. Most of the illustrations you made, the easy web site menu, the relationships you will make it possible to create – it’s everything fabulous, and it’s letting our son in addition to our family imagine that this content is cool, which is especially essential. Many thanks for the whole thing!
I truly wanted to compose a note to be able to thank you for all the superb recommendations you are posting at this website. My extended internet research has now been recognized with reasonable strategies to exchange with my companions. I would say that we site visitors actually are unquestionably endowed to exist in a perfect community with so many awesome people with great tricks. I feel very much happy to have seen your weblog and look forward to really more excellent minutes reading here. Thanks once more for a lot of things.
Has anyone vaped Audiofog Max VG SALTS E-Juice?
what dies cbd do in europe
Hi, here on the forum guys advised a cool Dating site, be sure to register – you will not REGRET it https://bit.ly/376JxTA
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was once a enjoyment account it. Look advanced to far delivered agreeable from you! However, how could we keep up a correspondence?
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info.
a chip on my glass bowl weed vape
You are a God
Do you want more visits to your napasdailygrowl.com ?
I succeeded and it works with this Fiverr gig https://zeep.ly/RgLhL