Licking

[kernow]

My dog has an annoying habit of licking things, the floor, the edge of her basket and even her own foot. The vet says she is at her ideal weight and she is not lacking any minerals or such like in her diet, and she is not bored. Any suggestions on how to stop it please?

[chris1203]

I wish that I could help, Kernow, but I've never had a dog that did that. Maybe you should consult a dog trainer and see what methods may work best to break this habit.

[luv2write]

I too would suggest a dog trainer. Or did the vet have any ideas on how to stop it?

[Bill]

Describe the licking. Does she lap, lap, lap, lap over and over or just a quick sniff and lick while sniffing? How old is she?

[Justontime]

Do you know if it is something related to the breed of dog? Does the dog have all it's teeth, is the jaw normal?

[kernow]

It is like a lazy sort of licking, she will do it for a minute or two, then stop for a while then do it again. She does drool a lot because her lower jaw is too short (a common problem with her breed). She is physically healthy and her teeth are in good condition. I think it is just a habit.

[jmacek07]

Curious what breed of dog and how long she's been doing it?

[Justontime]

It sounds as if you have checked out her health and her teeth. You say she is not bored, so assuming that she is not making herself sore by licking her leg and she is not damaging the things she licks it is probably just an annoying little habit that may be due to her jaw problem.

[nightwolf]

I would have to say it might have something to do with his/her oral health.

[kernow]

Curious what breed of dog and how long she's been doing it?

She is a mature Border Collie, she has been with us since she was about 9 months old and has always done it. She doesn't harm the things she licks.