We can absolutely adore it when our poodle licks us and themselves because they can look at peace doing it and it calms them down. It’s fair that you want to know how to stop it when it becomes excessive and why she does it so often in the first place, also you’ll want to find out whether it’s a hygiene issue because over time of being constantly licked it can because excessive and annoying to some people.
Toy, miniature, and standard poodles lick people to show affection, to get attention, or enjoy the taste of the salt on your skin. Whenever Poodles lick themselves it can either be to clean themselves or to get rid of fleas, a skin condition, or a sore region.
Why Do Poodles Lick So Much?
When toy poodles, miniature poodles, and standard poodles are puppies, because their mother and siblings lick each other all the time they start to see it as a sign of affection and comfort. Dogs then start to lick those who are close to them to try to show that affection and also the mother does this to cleanse their puppies skin.
Just as any ordinary dog Poodles are clean animals who will clean themselves if they get dirty and for just basic routine cleaning. After a muddy run, you’ll frequently witness a poodle licking his or her paws. Poodles may also clean themselves by licking their private areas. While this may be unpleasant to humans, it is a natural manner for a poodle to keep themselves clean and is not something to be concerned about.
Therefore if your poodle licks herself a little, it’s quite natural and nothing to be concerned about. Its important to observe your Poodle from time to time because if you find your poodle licking one area constantly and there are symptoms the skin is irritated or sore, its advised that you take them to the vet to make sure they aren’t suffering from a skin infection or have an untreated wound.
Why Poodles Constantly Lick Their Skin and Paws
- Sensitive Skin – Poodles’ skin is believed to be more delicate than that of other breeds. That implies that a Poodle’s skin might become inflamed in a variety of ways. Irritation can be caused by a variety of factors, including: Bug bites, Allergies and Chemicals and surface irritants.
- Sebaceous Adenitis – A further reason to seek out a veterinarian that specializes in Poodle care is that they are prone to Sebaceous Adenitis, which can be misdiagnosed as allergies. Sebaceous Adenitis, or SA, is a genetic skin illness in which the sebaceous glands become inflamed. Dry, itchy skin develops as a result, as does increasing hair loss. Although there is no cure for the disease, it can be managed by showering frequently and applying oils or ointments to help eliminate scaling or dead hair. A professional will be able to recommend the optimal topical treatment plan for you.
- Symptoms of Sebaceous Adenitis: Patches of hair loss, Brittle texture of fur, Scaling skin, often white in color, Tufts of matted fur and Lesions or skin infections Itching.
- Boredom – Excessive licking could be attributed to boredom if you have taken all necessary precautions to protect your poodle’s sensitive skin. In this way, it’s similar to when a Poodle licks you to indicate that they want to play.
5 Reasons Why Your Poodle Is Constantly Licking You
- Poodles love the taste of the salt on our skin and because our has a natural saltiness to it they love licking at it. This is especially true in the mornings after a night of heavy sweating.
- Frequent licking is also regarded as calming behavior, and it might help her relax. Your poodle might come to you for a licking round if she’s anxious.
- Sadly, dogs are unable to communicate using our language, therefore they must rely on other means. Licking can be interpreted as a gesture of affection, and it is common in wild dog packs.
- Dogs often groom each other in the same way they demonstrate affection. Your poodle licking your arms, hands, and feet could be perceived as an effort to keep you clean.
- When dogs lick people, their brain releases endorphins, which reduce stress and make them feel good, according to Animal Planet.
How to Stop Your Poodle From Constantly Licking You
Regardless of the fact that it is often seen as a show of affection, not everyone likes being licked. Fortunately, Poodles are known for being easy to train, so you can break this habit if you want to with a little extra work. In terms of training, licking is no different than any other behavior, and with the right procedures you can definitely stop your Poodle from licking you as much.
- To begin you’ll have to turn a blind eye to the behavior. Your poodle will most likely be seeking your attention, and she will be able to understand your reaction in a variety of ways. When you react, she will interpret this as earning your attention, which is a good thing in her eyes so when she stops getting reaction from you she will know it is just not working.
- Ignoring her isn’t always a good idea. So now is the moment to express your dissatisfaction with your Poodle’s behavior. Say “No!” in a clear, strong tone of voice and move away from her licks. If she stops, that’s great; it implies this is a good enough lesson for her. Furthermore, you absolutely must be consistent for it to work.
- The next step is to use a toy to substitute your arm, hand, foot, or face. For the ultimate diversion, try a puzzle toy that you can fill with food that will pull her attention. To make this more of a lesson, whenever your Poodle starts licking you, tell her a firm “No!” before you give her the toy so she can link the two. Give her the toy, and after she’s focused on it, praise her so she knows that she’s now doing the right thing. This will gradually teach her that she should be licking on the toy and not you.
- Non-toxic, perfectly safe bitter sprays that taste bad to dogs are available. You can spritz a bit on your skin where she regularly attempts to lick you to prevent her from doing it again.
- Boredom or a build-up of cooped up energy can both lead to licking. Poodles are known for being hyperactive and having energy surges. If your Poodle is between the ages of 2 and 7, she should be able to get 1-2 hours of exercise per day. This does not include the playtime you should provide her during the day.
Conclusion
If you like the lick or not, it’s important to understand why it’s happening and whether or not you should call the vet. When the licking is directed at you, it’s usually due of a behavioral issue. However, excessive licking that appears to be directed at herself or up in the air could indicate that something is awry.
Poodles lick for a variety of reasons, as we’ve seen. Owners should constantly pay attention to their dog’s licking activities, whether it’s for affection, communication, irritation, or as a symptom of a greater medical condition.
It’s often just plain old affection, and there’s nothing to be concerned about. If you suspect your poodle is licking excessively but are unable to pinpoint the problem, the best course of action is to consult a veterinarian.