Why does my rescued dog constantly lick everyone? Is it normal?

It's very common for anxious dogs to be very closely bonded with people that they trust - the world is a very scary place for Blanquet, so it's not surprising that he wants to be near you now that you've finally made friends :) Licking is a way that many dogs show affection, and can also be a self-soothing behavior sometimes in anxious dogs. As long as it isn't causing any problems for either of you, I would not consider this a problem at all.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is not necessarily uncommon behavior and typically does not have a medical implication. This is sometimes seen as a display of submissive behavior. I recommend you discourage this behavior as much as possible but I would not be concerned about this. Good luck!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your question. This is likely just behavioral and is commonly seen in young dogs / puppies. Over time, this Behavior will likely resolve or greatly reduce. you can try and apply bitter apple to the areas where Preston likes to lick and see if this helps deter her from doing this behavior. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water and lightly Spritz Preston in the face whenever she licks you and say “off!” while spraying her. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Some dogs are just really enthusiastic about licking. Sometimes it can be caused by their bodies being itchy. I would have Mocha examined by a vet first to determine if there is a cause for itch. Then the vet can discuss itch treatments or behavior modification to help with the social licking.

It would be hard to say. It is a good idea to bring the affected pup into your vet to rule out any health issues or irritation that could be causing the excessive licking by your other dog, such as urinary infections, inflammation, etc. If your pup checks out healthy, distraction with other toys and treats, placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on the licker so they can't lick things, and separating if it does happen may help break the habit.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Not necessarily. In reality, this is not unusual in dogs. I would be concerned though if he is causing himself any skin lesions or wounds from the licking which in that case it could be from allergies and should be addressed. Otherwise, he is likely going to be just fine. Good luck and have a great day!

This could indeed be a health issue. It has been observed that many dogs which excessively lick objects or even eat strange things are suffering from gastrointestinal problems. On the other hand this could also be just a nervous tick. I suggest you take Pepper to your vet for an exam. Your vet may want to do blood tests and an x ray to get to the bottom of the excessive licking. If Pepper is suffering from gastrointestinal problem, medications will usually alleviate the problem.