Why Does My Shih Tzu Lick Me So Much? Getting licked on the face by your Shih Tzu can be adorable, but it can also get really annoying really fast. Thankfully, there are plenty of reasons why they lick you, so you can keep them in mind and try to stop them from doing it! Here are ten of the most common reasons why your Shih Tzu might lick you all the time—and what you can do about it!
1) He’s Over-Stimulated
If your dog is constantly licking you, it could be a sign that he’s over-stimulated. When dogs are over-stimulated, they often start to lick things obsessively as a way to calm themselves down. If you think your dog might be over-stimulated, try to provide him with more opportunities to relax and de-stress. For example, you could try taking him on more walks in peaceful environments, giving him regular massages, or playing calming music for him. If your dog’s licking persists even after you’ve tried to help him relax, it’s possible that he could be suffering from anxiety or another underlying medical condition.
2) He Knows It Makes You Happy
One reason your Shih Tzu might lick you all the time is because he knows it makes you happy. Dogs are incredibly attuned to our emotions and they love making us smile. If you tend to laugh or give your dog a lot of attention when he licks you, he’s likely to continue doing it because he knows it gets a positive reaction from you. The only way to stop this behavior is by giving him something else that will satisfy his need for attention in other ways. Be sure to spend more time playing with him, petting him, and talking to him so that he understands what kinds of interactions make you happy.
3) He Wants to Show Affection
One of the most common reasons your Shih Tzu might be licking you all the time is simply because he wants to show you affection. He knows that you enjoy the feeling of his tongue on your skin, and he wants to make sure that you know how much he loves you. When your dog licks you, it’s his way of giving you a big doggy hug! He also may want to taste what you’ve been eating or drinking so he can remember the flavor for next time. If your dog licks another animal, this could mean that he’s trying to figure out what they are or they’re fighting over territory. Your pup might also lick other animals in order to get them used to being touched so they’ll be easier to handle later on.
4) Something about You Smells Good
Do you ever wonder why your Shih Tzu licks you so much? It could be because something about you smells good! Maybe it’s your shampoo, conditioner, soap, or lotion. Or, it could be your natural scent. Whatever the reason, your dog probably enjoys licking you because you smell good to them. Your Shih Tzu may be licking you because something about you smells good. This could be your perfume or cologne, lotion, soap, shampoo, or even your natural scent. If you notice that your dog starts licking you more after you’ve applied a new product, it’s likely that this is the reason why.
5) His Teeth Are Sensitive
One possible reason your Shih Tzu is licking you all the time is that his teeth are sensitive. It could be that he’s teething and his gums are sore, or he may have a toothache. If you think this might be the case, take him to the vet to get checked out. In the meantime, you can try giving him a chew toy to help soothe his gums.
6) He’s Stressed Out
Your Shih Tzu may be licking you because he’s stressed out. He could be experiencing separation anxiety if you’re gone for long periods of time during the day, or he could be reacting to changes in his environment, like a move to a new house. If you think your dog is stressed, look for other signs, like excessive panting, yawning, or shedding. And talk to your vet about possible solutions, like anti-anxiety medication or behavior modification training.
7) He Feels Helpless When Separated From You
Your dog may lick you as a way of self-soothing when he feels anxious or stressed. If you notice that your dog only licks you when you leave him alone or when he’s in a new environment, it’s likely that he’s experiencing separation anxiety. Other signs of this condition include panting, pacing, destructiveness, and vocalization. If your dog is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. They can help you develop a plan to desensitize your dog to yourabsence and ease his anxiety.
8) His Behavior Is Learned From Dogs in a Breeding Colony (Warning Signs Here!)
One of the most common reasons for a dog to lick excessively is learned behavior. If your dog grew up in a breeder’s colony, he may have observed other dogs licking each other and picked up on the behavior. Unfortunately, this can lead to some health problems down the road if your dog continues to lick excessively. Warning signs that your dog may be continuing this behavior include redness or irritation around the mouth, chin, or muzzle. If you notice these signs, it’s important to take your dog to the vet right away.
9) They May Have Allergies
One possibility is that your Shih Tzu is licking you because they have allergies. Allergies are actually quite common in dogs, and they can cause a lot of itchiness and discomfort. If your dog is licking you more than usual, it could be because they’re trying to relieve some of that itchiness.
Other signs that your dog may have allergies include:
• Chewing or scratching at their skin
• Rubbing their face on the floor or furniture
• Hot spots
• Red, irritated eyes
• Sneezing or wheezing
If you think your dog may have allergies, the best thing to do is to take them to the vet for a check-up.
10) A Sign Of Submission Or Dominance
One possibility is that your dog is trying to show you that they see you as the alpha dog or pack leader. In the animal world, licking is often a sign of submission. By licking you, your dog may be trying to tell you that they respect and defer to you. On the other hand, it could also mean that your dog wants to exert dominance over you because they think of themselves as being in charge. If this is what’s going on, then their act could be interpreted as aggressive behavior rather than friendly.
How To Stop My Shih Tzu From Licking Me
- One way to stop your Shih Tzu from licking you is to provide it with lots of chew toys and bones to keep its mouth busy.
- You can also try training your dog with positive reinforcement – give it a treat every time it doesn’t lick you.
- If your Shih Tzu is licking you because it’s anxious or stressed, try using calming techniques such as petting or massaging.
- Theremay be an underlying medical condition causing the excessive licking so make sure to consult your veterinarian if that’s the case.
- Perhaps the reason why your Shih Tzu licks you so much is because they’re seeking attention – in this case, one of the best ways to discourage this behavior is by giving them lots of affection but only when they’re calm and relaxed.
- Sometimes Shih Tzus will lick people out of boredom which can lead to other behavioral problems so try finding some new games for it to play with or go on walks together.
- Another possibility is that your dog might have picked up a bad habit from another family member and in this case, look for professional help to correct the problem before things get worse.
- It could also be that your Shih Tzu has developed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and therefore, needs to see a vet right away.
- The last explanation for why your Shih Tzu licks you all the time is because it craves salt so sprinkle some on their food or place a piece of cheese nearby while they eat their meals.
Conclusion
So, why does your Shih Tzu lick you so much? There could be a number of reasons, from affection to anxiety. If the licking seems excessive or is causing you discomfort, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any health issues. In most cases, though, this behavior is simply a sign of your dog’s love for you!
