2) Puppies lick their mothers’ faces to request food when weaning
3) A sign of affection: dog kisses.
4) Self-cleaning of the dog: a natural instinct that is learned when it was a puppy
5) Dog handling tactic: licking for attention
6) Personal and litter grooming
7) Stress
8) Dog health problems
9) Wound cleaning
10) Injury – bread Website design By BotEap.comWhen to worry Website design By BotEap.comIf your Cocker Spaniel is a compulsive licker, it may be time to investigate the reasons. For example: is your dog left alone for long periods of time? Stressed Due To Separation Anxiety? Is your dog hurt? Are there skin lesions? Is your dog sick? Obsessive licking and can lead to scratching or biting the area, which could present other problems. Compulsive – Obsessive licking behaviors can often be related to a dog feeling anxious. Website design By BotEap.comThe first place to start is by inspecting the source. Maybe something is stuck to the skin or fur, look for cuts between the legs. Look for rashes under the coat. Look for possible parasites. Look for anything unusual that may be causing the dog to lick. If it’s a skin condition, it’s most likely an easy fix. Website design By BotEap.comOn the other hand, if your dog is compulsively licking everything in sight, then there could be a greater concern. Licking yourself into submission can be cute at first. But it will tire soon. It can be a learned behavior to manipulate him to get his attention and get what he wants. The behavior must be broken. Website design By BotEap.comDon’t reward the dog for its behavior. By this I mean never give your dog a treat to stop licking. If he gives in, the dog has simply learned a new trick. When the dog starts licking, just divert his attention to a different activity. But first you must break the lick with a strong verbal command NO. Never hit or yell at your Cocker Spaniel, be firm and gentle. Website design By BotEap.comIs licking harmful? Website design By BotEap.comDogs have been licking humans for hundreds of years and I have never heard of anyone being killed by an innocent kiss from a dog. All dogs love the taste of salt, this is one of the main reasons they lick humans. That said, it’s important to note that you should never let a dog lick your open wound. Despite what you’ve heard, the possible transmission of disease or infection from a dog licking an open wound should be avoided. Website design By BotEap.comAs long as your Cocker Spaniel is healthy and showing no signs of illness, it’s safe to bet that playful licking isn’t harmful unless he’s tickled. At worst, it can be very annoying; at best, it can be a show of affection. Website design By BotEap.comAlways check with your local vet or professional trainer if you feel like your puppy has a licking problem beyond your control. Compulsive – Obsessive licking behaviors are often related to a dog feeling anxious for some reason. Your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer can help you discover the source and offer remedies. It is not necessary for your puppy to suffer unnecessarily and stress at the same time.