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We know our dogs do weird things sometimes, but couch licking is a dog behavior that confuses a lot of people. Couches don’t seem like tasty treats that our dogs would be interested in, so a sudden interest in licking them seems out of place. This is especially odd when your dog develops the normal habit of licking the couch, leading us to look for the reason behind this strange canine activity.
Couch licking is actually quite common among our canine friends, a behavior that can be linked to everything from boredom to compulsion. We want to help you figure out the truth about dogs licking sofas, so let’s break down everything you need to know below.
let’s start!
Licking is a natural behavior for dogs
Before we discuss the possible reasons why your dog licks the sofa, we should first help you understand the importance of dog licking. Not only is licking something our dogs do when they want to taste something, but it’s actually a common behavior they use to self-soothe. Just like you and I might bite our nails when we’re nervous or overwhelmed, or a dog might lick objects around us.
Licking can be a very soothing habit for some dogs, and there are now pet products on the market that can relieve canine anxiety through licking. One of the most well-known products is the lick pad, which involves rubbing some sort of tasty spread on a rubber mat and encouraging your dog to lick it. Not only do these pads help attract your pet and pass the time, but the repeated licking action helps soothe them.
While the reasons dogs lick sofas aren’t always related to anxiety or stress, it’s still important to understand how important dog licking behavior is to dogs. While we might think there’s nothing wrong with a dog licking something weird, there may actually be a complex underlying reason.
Why is my dog licking the sofa? 6 possible causes
Now that you understand the importance of dog licking behavior, it’s time to discuss the possible reasons why your dog licks the sofa!
1. The things on the sofa taste good
While some dogs may rely on licking to soothe them when they’re stressed, it’s also possible that your dog just feels something delicious on the couch. Whether you’ve just spilled food on the couch, or they’ve smelled something inappropriate before, your pup is probably looking for a tasty treat. It’s also possible if you’re serving them a treat on the couch, since they’ll likely want to stumble upon any leftover crumbs.
2. They like the texture of the sofa
You and I may explore interesting textures with our hands, but our dogs have to rely on their mouths! Our canine friends use their mouths to explore the world around them, and that includes interesting textures for furniture. If your puppy is fascinated by the material that covers the sofa, you may notice them licking it constantly.
3. They get bored and seek entertainment
If your canine companion is bored and looking for something to do, they might lick your couch for fun. While this might seem like an odd way to pass the time, it starts to make more sense once you know how important the act of licking is to dogs. Licking is a way some dogs pass the time, so if your couch is nearby, it may fall prey to their tongues.
4. They are self-soothing for anxiety
As we discussed above, licking is a common self-soothing behavior in dogs. It’s so effective that there are a variety of products that stimulate licking behavior, and most of these products are designed to relieve stress and boredom in canines. Not only is it common for anxious dogs to lick couches, but you may see them lick other objects as well. Some will also lick their paws during times of stress, which can cause severe skin irritation for these poor pups.
5. They develop the urge to lick
If it seems like your dog is licking the couch at any given opportunity, they may have developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder. These dogs may appear frantic if they cannot get onto the couch, and they may even act aggressive if they are pulled away from the couch.
If you think this might be happening to your furry friend, it’s important to identify any possible stressors that may be in their life. This could include environmental changes, sudden loss of owner, new people in the home, prolonged periods of solitude, new animals in the home, loud noises outside, and any other change in their standard environment or routine.
If you can’t determine the source of your dog’s anxiety, or you can’t provide them with any relief, it may be time to seek help from your veterinarian. Dogs with OCD behaviors can often benefit from anti-anxiety medication, so it might be worth exploring it for your pup.
6. They have an underlying medical condition
If your dog is battling an underlying medical condition that causes nausea, this could be causing them to lick the odd object. While couch licking can be one of their main symptoms, you’ll often notice other behavioral changes as well. These symptoms may include changes in appetite, thirst levels, weight changes, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and even fur changes. If your dog is exhibiting other odd symptoms besides licking the couch, then we always recommend contacting your veterinarian for guidance.
How do I get my dog to stop licking the couch?
Dog licking the sofa is a strange habit that many pet parents want to prevent. While the root cause of dog licking the couch varies from puppy to puppy, there are a range of strategies to permanently end the behavior.
Some of the most effective ways to get your dog to stop licking the sofa include:
- Clean up any spilled food from the couch Be thorough, as this will prevent them from licking the area later.
- stop giving them treats or bones on the couch, Because it might cause them to associate the couch with good food.
- increase their daily physical activitybecause a tired puppy is less likely to engage in any bad behavior due to pent-up energy.
- Address any cause of stress in your homeas this may lead to their self-soothing behaviour.
- Incorporate lick pads into your routineas this will allow them to direct their licking in an acceptable manner.
- Use Bitter Spray on the Couch Stop licking if you can’t stop, as they quickly associate the couch with a smell they don’t like.
- Seek help from your veterinarian If you can’t get your dog to stop licking the couch, it could mean they are struggling with some form of OCD. If you thought their licking could also be due to an underlying medical condition, then you’d be right.
final thoughts
Licking weird things might seem like a weird habit to you and me, but unfortunately, it’s very common in dog populations. Once you review the potential reasons behind dogs licking sofas that we discussed in detail above, you’ll be in a better position to address this odd behavior!
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.