Why Does My Pug Lick Everything?: Discover 7 Common Reasons and 4 Useful Steps To Stop The Behavior
Why does my Pug lick everything? Any dog owner knows that dogs like to lick, whatever it might be. Some mutts engage in lip-, or floor-licking while others love to give “wet kisses” and lick their bodies. For the most part, this type of behavior is completely normal, just like it is for humans who lick their lips or spit when they have too much saliva in their mouths.
Yet, if you see an over-the-top smacking behavior, this could be an indicator of something that’s not right. Any dog owner who has a pug may ask himself/herself: “Why does my Pug lick everything?” In case it’s not just his lips, body, or you, it definitely can signal that something is going on inside, either mentally or physically.
We are about to talk in detail about the main licking reasons, some of which may greatly surprise you, while others will most likely be upsetting. You have to carefully observe your mutt to judge whether or not this type of demeanor might be alarming. We will also talk about steps to curb excessive licking behavior if it is not ok for you.
Why Does My Pug Lick Everything? Reasons
Boredom
Yep, simple as that. Pugs who have nothing to do during the day and nobody to keep them company will easily engage in the weirdest behavior like licking everything in their proximity.
Anxiety
A very common expression of obsessive behavior. Especially true about separation anxiety: as soon as a wrinkled pal notices that its parent is about to head out of the door, the former starts desperately licking him/her sending a “please, don’t leave me!” message.
Stress
Closely related to the above anxiety situation. A mutt will become very stressed when its master is leaving to go to work and/or run errands. Also, it might be lonely if the pet parent is not showing enough attention to his/her furry child thus making it lick itself, furniture, or its bed. It is almost like a rebel trying to attract attention.
Gastroenterological Issues
Sometimes it could be the stomach pains that are causing the little furball to lick stuff around it. It might be because the pooch is trying to soothe the pain and tasting helps distract it from feeling bad. Upon noticing that licking tendencies are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and apathy, it might be time to check these symptoms out with a vet.
Trying to Keep Cool
Dogs can’t sweat on the same level humans do, therefore licking their bodies, lips, and/or noses helps bring internal temperature down. Noses, in particular, have to stay wet as it helps Pugs breathe better since they are considered one of the brachycephalic breeds.
Your Pug Likes the Salty Taste of Your Skin
All canines, not just your fave wrinkle-faced companion, like the salty taste of two-legged skin. When we become hot, our derma gets lubricated with the tiny droplets we call sweat. Pugs go nuts trying to get the last drop of the salty aqua.
Don’t be annoyed by this, it is a form of flattery when hounds taste your skin. That’s how they get the information that you are their parent.
It Just Simply Loves You
The best reason of all: your fluffy baby is just showing its affection to you! I love wet kisses if you ask me, so I let my dog Ariel lick my face all she wants. But I do get how some people might not appreciate it very much and would want their mutt to stop doing that. Well, in that case, we came right to the next section on how to terminate the unwanted dog-licking behavior.
How To Stop My Pug Licking Excessively
Some pet parents might be going insane trying to find an answer to the question: “Why does my Pug lick everything and how do I stop that?” Here are the steps you can follow to nib it in the bud.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Every time your pet makes the right choice and doesn’t engage in crazy wetting episodes, reward it with a high-value treat. You will be able to see progress very soon!
Ignore the Unwanted Behavior
Also, ignoring the behavior may help eliminate it at its core. In pals like Pugs who constantly need attention, a master’s indifference to their licking habits might send a signal that they need to stop.
Give Your Pug Pooch More Attention
Got a lonely Pug? Then you need to listen closely: Pugs are very social creatures, therefore it is not right to leave them by themselves for hours on end. In case your schedule is flexible, try to devote more time to your bud. If not, ask a trusted relative/friend to visit your pooch for at least a half-hour each day to keep it company.
Exercise It Enough
A good dog is a tired dog, don’t you think so? A lot of dog owners are swearing for it. Even though flat-faced fellas don’t need much exercise, they do need to keep somewhat active not to be bored and frustrated. Try investing in some anxiety-fighting toys like Kong, Frisby, and puzzles.
Curl-Up
As we found out in this article, you don’t need to be pulling your hair out if you are perplexed at your furry buddy’s behavior and ask yourself “Why does my Pug lick everything?” Some of the reasons can be pretty simple, while others are more alarming. Always use your judgment and call the vet at the slightest suspicion that something might be wrong with a Pug friend in case you see obsessive licking episodes.
Related Reading: Why Does My Dog Lick My Other Dog’s Ears?
FAQs
Why is my dog excessively licking things?
This could be a sign of a behavioral issue like an anxiety disorder, stress, boredom, or a physical one like gastroenterological, or thyroid problems. In case you noticed your dog started licking furniture, floor, or the walls, it might be a good idea to consult a veterinary specialist. Especially if this type of behavior has been going on for quite a while.
As far as licking the floor specifically: if this doggie habit is random, then it might be nothing more than a pooch is trying to pick up the food crumbs left behind by its human masters. However, make a note of this tendency in the event your dog does it excessively, to the point of obsession.
How do I get my pug to stop licking me?
There’s a way to train your dog out of this behavior if you don’t feel comfortable with that. Every time your pooch tries to lick you, just re-direct their attention to something else like a toy, or a favorite treat. It will not happen overnight, but just be patient and give your dog the time of day. Eventually, it will learn that in order to get something delish, it needs to stop wetting your face.
Why do Pugs constantly lick their nose?
We can name a few reasons why Pug pooches do that. The first one is very simple: it keeps its nose lubricated to cool off during the summer. Pugs don’t really have sweat glands (only the ones on the paws’ pads), therefore the only way to keep cool is to lick their bodies and/or their noses. That’s where the heavy panting comes into play as well.
Another logical reason might be that, while trying to lick their lips, Pugs end up licking their noses too at the same time. The reason why it happens is that these cute wrinkled creatures have a very peculiar facial structure: flat muzzles with snouts that are pushed back closer to the eyes. That’s why you see their long tongues reaching all the way to the noses.
Why is my dog licking everything and throwing up?
This happens due to a dog licking something it thought was tasty from smelling it, but turned out disgusting when it actually tried it. What is more dangerous is when it licks something very toxic: a few household cleaners might taste good, but be poisonous.
Unfortunately, no mutt can tell a difference between good-for-it stuff and the stuff that is a complete no-no. It is up to a pet parent to make sure that his/her dog stays away from cleaning solutions and it is best to maybe crate a hound while you are running house chores.
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.
