Compulsive Licking

Compulsive licking can start out as a dog's effort to comfort itself, but the behavior can turn into a bad habit that irritates the skin. Does this visitor's dog truly have a physical problem, or is she reacting to recent stress?

A recent visitor writes:

My American Eskimo Spitz has been licking at her left leg a lot for a while now. The vet recommended a low dose of Benadryl. She has been on the medication for a while now, but it doesn't seem to stop the licking completely.

When I give her her medicines (PPA and the Benadryl) I give them to her with peanut butter on a spoon. She takes it, and then she will lick her leg right away as though to clean it. She's always had to take meds (PPA, Clomicalm and others at different times), and I've always given them to her with peanut butter so I don't think it's an allergy to that, but thought I'd mention it.

The licking started a couple of months after my other dog passed away. I was very stressed out and upset, and I thought my stress might have been effecting her. Is that possible?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks~~ Patty

Expert Reply

Hi Patty,

I believe you are on the right track with the stress factor. Dogs can certainly feel their own stress, especially when a house companion dies. They also pick up on our stress too and carry it with their own.

Unless you can see a physical reason why the licking began, I believe it might be a compulsive behavior that has it's roots in your other dog's passing. The Benadryl does help relieve itching, but it also acts as a mild sedative; this probably helps your dog feel less urge to lick, but it's not a permanent solution.

I recommend you talk about the stress/compulsive behavior angle with your vet and see if he or she feels that it is a valid lead to follow. I don't think you can correct the habit without breaking the behavior for a significant amount of time, and that would probably require the use of an Elizabethan collar around her neck to prevent her from reaching the leg.

I would also try to distract her each time she goes for the leg, either by giving her a treat without acknowledging the licking or engaging her in a couple minutes of play time. Replace the unwanted activity with more desirable ones, but make sure she's not connecting the licking with a reward.

Do you have any plans to bring a new dog into your home? It's not a sure cure, but your dog may feel more secure with another canine companion like she used to have. I wouldn't take this route unless you had already planned on it.

This will not be an easy problem to correct, but I believe you should be able to work away from the licking if you are persistent.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly.

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