Table des matières
- Why do dogs lick furniture?
- What are the causes of dog furniture licking behavior?
- What should you do if your dog is licking furniture?
- When should you give your dog a reward?
- Preventing Dogs from Licking Furniture
- Conclusion
You might have seen your dog licking and drooling on a piece of furniture and wondered why do dogs lick furniture?.
The most common reason dogs lick furniture is because it can taste really good.
For example, if you’ve been cooking fish or chicken, the protein left on the surface of the counter could be enough to tempt them to lick it.
Another possibility for why your dog might be licking the furniture is because they are feeling anxious or lonely.
Sometimes dogs lick out of boredom too. If you notice your dog licking furniture excessively it could be a sign that they need more exercise, more socialization with other people and animals, or even mental stimulation.
Regardless of the reason, this behavior can become problematic when it turns into furniture chewing.
If your dog licks your furniture, you should take steps to prevent them from doing so in the future.
Here are some ways to prevent your dog from licking your furniture.
Why do dogs lick furniture?
When a dog licks and drools, the saliva or drool will get onto the furniture and make the furniture slippery.
Dogs that like to lick and drool often rub their heads on the table or lick their paws when they are outside. All of these actions can cause the furniture to become dirty and very slippery.
When a dog plays with a toy on a very slick surface, they are more likely to drop the toy and lick the surface. Dogs also lick or drool on the furniture to get their owner’s attention.
If they are not allowed to do so, they will lick or drool on the furniture because it gets their owner’s attention.
If your dog has tried to chew on your furniture a few times, then you might want to try to stop the behavior.
What are the causes of dog furniture licking behavior?
Keep in mind that many different things can be a cause of dog furniture licking.
- Dogs who are overstimulated and bored
- Dogs who are anxious
- Small dogs who are frightened
- Hormonal changes
- Dehydration
- Antibiotics
- The dog is unaccustomed to the new item or object
- Dogs are trying to keep themselves or their toys clean
These are just a few of the many reasons dogs lick furniture. Once you identify one of these triggers, you can start to curb the licking behavior.
Check for Signs Your Dog Is Overheated
If you notice your dog licking your furniture when they’re really warm outside, they’re likely over-heating.
This will put unnecessary stress on their paws and possibly cause them to lick more frequently.
Make sure that when you leave your dog outside that they have plenty of shade and freshwater.
What should you do if your dog is licking furniture?
If you want to keep your dog from licking your furniture, try to establish a reward system where your dog is rewarded for staying away from the furniture.
Try giving your dog a small treat each time they stay away from the furniture. Alternatively, you could use furniture socks or sprays to deter your dog from licking the furniture.
When should you give your dog a reward?
The best reward for a dog to not lick furniture is unconditional love and the behavior will start to take on a more positive tone for your dog.
Whenever your dog is displaying the desire to give you the love you desire, simply reward them for the behavior.
If you’re unsure when to give your dog a reward, keep an eye out for their body language or try a little experiment of your own.
Preventing Dogs from Licking Furniture
Keep Furniture Clean
When your dog licks your furniture, it’s like leaving their mouth on it for hours.
When this happens, their breath and saliva can damage and eat away at your wood furniture, which will lead to damage over time. The sooner you take action, the better.
This is one of the easiest and most important ways to keep your dog from licking your furniture.
If you have carpeted floors, you can invest in a rug or a slipcover that protects furniture from your pet.
You can also invest in furniture covers to cover furniture when you are not around.
Conclusion
We have provided you with some tips on how to prevent your dog from licking your furniture so that you can enjoy the furniture you’ve spent a lot of money on, without having to pay for new furniture!
If you do have to purchase a new piece of furniture, here are some ways you can help reduce the damage to the new furniture.
Avoid using salt-based cleaners on the area the dog has licked. Always rub the furniture with a non-soap, non-water solution first.
Do not rub the furniture with sand or chewing gum, as the small abrasions can be hard for the furniture to recover from.
If you have a dog that loves to lick furniture, be sure to try these tips to keep your dog from licking it as much as possible.
