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Suzanne


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driving me nuts....
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right - enough is enough ....

Maisie is driving me mad with her incessant licking - she has developed what I can only describe as an obsessive complusive disorder in which she has to lick your face at every given opportunity. Its getting really difficult to sit down without getting slobbered all over.

Im def partly to blame as when I first got her she was very licky & as much as the habit grosses me out I let her do it as it was clearly her way of trying to gain affection & reasurance. She always aims for your mouth though, which, as much as I try to push her away, say "no", turn my head away etc, the wee begger is so damned quick that she gets you on the lips half the time. *bleurg*

Its not hygenic I know & I believe the old saying that dogs lick you -going back to their 'wild' days - in order for you to give food ie barf it up as their mother would - thats clearly not the case for most & Im sure Maisie would stop if I threw up on her but that may be going too far....

I feel rotten if I had to stand up and move away in order to stop her doing it as she still needs reasurrance a lot fo the time but if you protest too much with her & the more you say "no" & push her head away - the worse she gets. It then turns into a scene out of a David Attenborough documentary of sharks in a feeding frenzy....she actually pins you down with her front legs to try & lick your face off!!

She does the same to Murphy & will also pin his head down if he protests too much but he gets out of it by chewing her head. Clearly I cant fit her skull in my jaws so any further advise would be gratefully received....I dont want to hurt her feelings....& I know that she isnt doing it to gain "top dog" status in the house - its definitely a reassurance, you do love me dont you type thing with her.....I think Ive created a monster....

ps - I seem to have a great complexion these days for some reason..... and yet can never shake off the smell of dog food....

HELP!!

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max


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I suppose you could try painting your face with some revolting paste or something that would put her of , but you would not make many friends. LOL :giggle:

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Teresa


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sorry, suzanne, but i was laughing whilst reading your post.  i know it's not funny for you but it is for us 


short of covering your face in something unpleasant, i don't know what to suggest.  it's either that or chucking up over her so she knows that's not really what she wants!



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Calatria


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Suzanne wrote:

Im sure Maisie would stop if I threw up on her

Can't some of these posts come with a warning?  Sometimes I laugh so hard reading this forum, it's dangerous to have any food or drink in my mouth.  I nearly choked on my Horlicks reading that.


Sorry, Suzanne, I can't help.  Belle was quite licky and I had to be harsh with her to get it to stop, but I can see why you don't want to do that with Maisie - with her history.



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FAJ


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I'm not sure if it was you that mentioned this before, of if I've heard of another dog doing the compulsive licking thing. The only thing I could suggest is to be utterly still when she licks you, and try not to respond with any sound or movement (a tall order, I know!) Then, when she moves away from you, give her loads of praise and fuss for not licking you. Whether or not this will work, I don't know. Pearly is very licky too, but not to Maisie's level.

It's a toughie cos as you say she's still wanting reassurance from you. When you tell her 'no' and move her away, it sounds like this increases her anxiety and her need to make sure that you still love her.

Let us know how you get on?

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Lesley


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Suzanne - do you watch "It's me or the dog"?  The behavioural aspect of it is really good and always really simple (if you can just think of it).


Trying to think myself into her head I think she would suggest you stand up and cross your arms every time Maisie starts it.  Sit down and repeat: immediately stand up and cross your arms when she starts again.  As soon as she exhibits some other behaviour - like lying down - then give her lots of praise.


You just have to keep repeating the same action over and over until she gets the idea.  Do not give in once.  It may even help to make her more confident as she releases she doesn't have to slobber all over you to make you love her.


I look forward to hearing if that works!



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Lesley
Suzanne


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FAJ wrote:

It's a toughie cos as you say she's still wanting reassurance from you. When you tell her 'no' and move her away, it sounds like this increases her anxiety and her need to make sure that you still love her.




I think that hits the nail on the head Fiona...Lesley Ill give that a try - gotta be cruel to be kind I suppose - as hopefully it will help her to stop obsessing....

Wonder if Viv has any wee pearls of wisdom too?? Sorry Calatria for making you choke! It seems such a trivial problem that you cant help laugh at - I know that Im often in stitches when she has me pinned on the sofa which is prob not the best thing to do - Ill try ignoring her ...not sure how long I can last against those sad little brown eyes begging me to love her tho (about 5 seconds is my personal best ) Thanks guys.

any more suggestions out there??

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They say owners look like their dogs...Im still waiting to morph into a super fit, lean machine with legs up to my armpits...
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