ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

I have a 7-year-old male Shih Tzu named Chipper. After eating breakfast and supper, Chipper will lick the rug in the living room. I find it difficult to break him of this habit. Why does he do this? Is it because he is bored? I did not have him as a pup. I got him when he was about 3.

I am open to any suggestions that you offer on how I can break him of this habit.

- Norman, Plainview, New York

Dear Norman,

Excessive licking can result from boredom, allergies, tooth or gum pain or anxiety, all of which can become habit if left unchecked.

Rule out a health problem first, like food allergies or oral problems. If it's food allergies, your vet may recommend you switch to a different protein, like duck or salmon because some dogs develop allergies to chicken. If it's tooth issues or gum disease, your dog may be licking the rug to make his mouth feel better and may need treatment.

If it's boredom, Chipper needs more to do. Give him some puzzle-based toy to work on after meals, like a Kong toy filled with treats and a little treat spray (liver-flavored) or a little peanut butter (nothing with Xylitol). Freezing it gives your dog more of a challenge to work out the treats.

If it's anxiety, licking releases endorphins, and that makes a dog feel better. Plug-in some canine pheromones in the room he hangs out in after he eats and incorporate training with some busy work.

For example, when Chipper begins to lick his paws, get his attention by saying, "Chipper, no lick." When he hears his name, he should look at you. Tell him "bingo" (his special training word) and give him a treat. If he doesn't look at you, shake a can of coins to interrupt the behavior and get his attention. Follow with the reward word and treat. Then give him a puzzle toy, like the Kong with frozen treats mentioned above or another puzzle toy available at pet stores, so he must "think" about how to get the treats out and, thus, forgets about licking his paws.

You also can take him for a walk or play a game of fetch with him before his meals, so he is more likely to be tired after he eats. Exercise and play help reduce anxiety too.

If he is healthy and none of these ideas work, talk to your veterinarian about introducing anti-anxiety medication and combine it with the training until he breaks the habit.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

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