Does he lick you and your DH or just DS?
Reprimanding him, like with a strong "No" or "uh uh" when he does it might help him to realise it's not ok. Also maybe practice getting your dog to sit/lie down next to DS and make him concentrate on you, give him lots of praise and treats for not licking DS. Putting him on a lead at first may help too. The dog has to realise that he needs to keep his distance from your son, you don't really want him thinking that DS is his 'puppy', as DS needs to be higher in the 'pack' than the dog.
Must be gross for DS though..I hate dog slobber! Lol
Licking is one way dog's bond with their packmates. To the dog, your DS (& the rest of the family) is in his pack. They do it to groom and show affection.
I'd talk to an animal trainer about whether or not you can stop this behaviour. It would probably take a concerted effort to train the dog. If you can't, you may have to give the dog away or come up with a way to deal with the rashes. I'd talk to a doctor about how serious the ellergy it could be (apart from the itch and redness)
Licking can be a food request - especially around the face. It can also be a sign of submission and/or bonding. I have also found cattle dogs to be pretty big lickers. I personally wouldn't use a 'no' kind of command as that can increase submission type behaviour. I would try something similar to what you would do if trying to reduce jumping. Try and get your son to pat away from the head and more on the back. If the dog goes to lick get your son to turn his back on him and ask the dog to sit (if he is a reliable sitter). Then once the dog is sitting your son can turn back around and pat him on the back. Everyone should do the same thing so the dog isn't confused by different rules for different people. So in short - pat when the dog is sitting and not licking, turn away if the dog tries to lick and request a sit, turn back and pat when the dog is sitting and not licking.
Hope this helps.
Have treats handy. Tell him not to lick using a simple command that is said the same way each time so that he recognises it and connects it to his actions. If you say "No licking" as opposed to "no" then he won't confuse the command with anything else. Reward him when he stops, the second he stops! He needs to learn that the treats only come when he keeps his tongue to himself. Use your voice as you do it and praise as you reward so that he comes to accept your "nice voice" with being a reward in itself. Be consistent. Good luck!
Thanks everyone for trying to help. Unfortunately, I've BTDT. I wish I could ask DS for help - but he is too little and thinks the whole thing is hilarious - which does not help.
Stop my dog licking DS who is allergic
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks