Licking You
When a Yorkshire Terrier Won’t Stop Licking You
Overview
Licks are the canine equivalent of kisses, so when it is moderately done, it’s a wonderful way to receive affection from your Yorkie. However, some dogs don’t know when to stop. They may jump all over you, showering you with so many licks that it’s overwhelming. You may also find that any time you simply try to pet your Yorkie or even brush the coat, that your dog licks your hands like crazy.
What should be a normal greeting can start to seem like a real problem. This section will cover why dogs do this and exact training steps to teach your Yorkie to stop licking you so much in two short weeks.
Why Your Yorkie Compulsively Licks You
The act of licking humans has several components:
1. It is a dog’s #1 method of showing affection.
2. Dogs see their world organized by hierarchy. Within the den (house) lives the pack (humans and pets in the family). The pack has an Alpha(s) (the leader or leaders) who are in charge of the Betas (others).
If things are going as they should, your Yorkshire Terrier sees you as the Alpha. And this means that your dog will show some level of submissive behavior. Licking is included in this.
3. Then, we must add the fact that human skin is quite salty. When perspiration leaves the body through skin pores, it takes salt along with it. If not, the salinity of the blood would rise to toxic levels. So, each lick offers an interesting taste.
4. When your Yorkie licks you like crazy, most likely you are reacting in some way. If so, the attention that’s received may be a strong motivator. Some dogs can end up in a loop. They lick to get their owner’s attention, then the owner becomes frustrated, so then they lick to say they’re sorry!
5. Licking psychologically feels good. When a dog repeatedly licks, it releases endorphins (the ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain). And, it’s awfully hard to stop doing something when it is beneficial in this way.
So, to summarize, a Yorkshire Terrier may get carried away in licking their owner due to a combination of offering affection to their Alpha while simultaneously getting attention, tasting something salty, and enjoying elevated endorphins.
This may seem like a lot to go up against. Fortunately, there is a way to resolve this.
Training a Yorkie to Stop Licking Your Face
Before a dog can learn to stop doing something, there must be a clear understanding of what that something is. This training involves this element.
To prepare:
1. Have carefully chosen training treats.
While praise plays a role, nothing works faster and more successfully than high-valued training treats. They should be very small (so they can be given repeatedly without filling your Yorkie up), be moist (these work better than dry), be something that is not given out at any rate during other parts of the day (it must be reserved just for training, this or another sort), be extra delicious (for motivation), and should be held to the same high standard as kibble (meaning no synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring, by-products, etc.).
If you are looking for a great training treat, Wellness Soft Bites Natural Grain-Free Training Treats
are fantastic. Though these are marketed as training treats for puppies, due to this breed's tiny size, these are exceptional for Yorkies of all ages, are 100% all natural, come in tasty flavors like lamb & salmon, and are made in the USA.
are fantastic. Though these are marketed as training treats for puppies, due to this breed's tiny size, these are exceptional for Yorkies of all ages, are 100% all natural, come in tasty flavors like lamb & salmon, and are made in the USA. Have 20 or so treats in a pocket and one in your curled hand.
2. Plan to train to stop licking at least twice per day.
Each session should last 10 minutes. If your Yorkie has issues with over-licking other people in the house, they too should be included in this training.
3. Choose a training spot
where there are no distractions (such as a loud TV, foot traffic, etc.).
To train:
The idea of this training is to allow your Yorkie to lick you in order for your dog to understand the action. Then, to force licking to stop (via physical positioning and command) while giving reward for this. In time, your Yorkie will stop simply by your command alone.
1.
With training treats in your pocket and one in your curled hand, allow your Yorkie to lick you. While this is happening, keep repeating the word ‘lick’ in a clear voice every 5 seconds. If at any time your dog takes pause, remain quiet. This licking session should last about 20 to 30 seconds (if you can stand the tickles that long!). So, this will be 4 to 6 ‘lick’ commands from you at 5-second intervals.
2.
You will now rise only enough to force the licking to halt. For example, if you are sitting on the floor or on the sofa with your Yorkie, rise up to your knees. While you are rising, give a command word to mark the moment that the licking stopped. Though you can use the words ‘off’ or ‘no’, the word ‘stop’ is recommended. Therefore, you will firmly say ‘Stop lick’ with emphasis on the ‘stop’.
3.
Though it was you who initiated the licking to stop, immediately give praise in an excited voice ‘Good, stop! Good, dog!’ while palming the treat to give as reward.
4.
Repeat this for the duration of the 10-minute training session.
5.
After 5 days, continue with all steps but do not physical rise; rather, just give the firm command of ‘no lick’. If your Yorkie obeys, give super-happy praise and the treat. Continue on in this way (no rising) for at least one week. If at any time your Yorkie backslides into not obeying your command, go back to the step of physically rising.
With a commitment to do this at least twice per day, your Yorkie should be fully trained in two weeks. In fact, you may need to start asking for kisses with a simply ‘lick’.
Training a Yorkie to Stop Licking Your Hands
The training for this is very similar with just a few adjustments that take place in regard to the prep for the treats and in Step #1, and are as so:
To prepare:
You will still use high-value training treats. The only difference is that since this training involves your Yorkshire Terrier licking your hands, you will not want to be holding a treat. Therefore, have 20 or so in an easily accessible pocket. Other prepping steps of planning for two sessions per day and conducting these in a spot with no distractions should be followed as well.
Step 1.
With training treats in your pocket, allow the licking to begin. Depending on what your dog normally does, this may involve stroking his coat or starting to brush the coat. Try to not interrupt the licking by insisting on brushing (or what your true goal would otherwise be), since allowing this is an important step.
While this is happening, keep repeating the word ‘lick’ in a clear voice every 5 seconds. If at any time your dog takes pause, remain quiet. This licking session should last about 20 to 30 seconds. With the command of ‘lick’ being given in 5-second intervals, this equals 4 to 6 commands.
Steps 2 through 5
are the same.
A Final Thought
We expect a lot from our canine family members. We want our Yorkies to always follow housebreaking rules, rarely bark, get along with other pets, greet visitors in a ‘perfect’ fashion, never chew anything in the house, eat all of their food, walk nicely beside us for walks, be fine when home alone, and more! So, while you are training your Yorkie to stop over-licking you, be kind and patient. Whenever there is any improvement, be happy for those small successes. And, once your dog has more control over the very deep canine instinct to lick, be grateful that you have such a good student.
Do you have your book yet?
If you're looking for an incredibly comprehensive Yorkie book, you'll love Y.I.C's GIANT Book of Yorkshire Terrier Care.
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