Dog Licking- I feel bad but I can NOT stand it!

[mommy22boys]

Please tell me there's someone else out there who can't stand to be licked by a dog? We have a lab and he's part of the family. I love him very much but I can not stand for him to lick me. It just gives me the chills to think about it, like nails on a chalk board. I used to have a mini Pomeranian and I couldn't even stand for her to lick me and she was dainty and smelly good all the time. Well, our lab definetly is able to give his licking attention to my fiance because he's one of those people who can sit and let a 70 pound dog lick all over their face repeatedly. YUCK! I can't even watch. I feel really bad because- like I said I love him and he's part of the family- it feels like it's the equivalent to telling my kids "Never hug or kiss me! I can't stand it!" By this point he pretty much knows not to lick me but I still feel bad when he forgets and licks my hand or leg because my first reaction when it catches me off guard is always to jump away and say NO! So please someone tell me I'm not the worst pet owner in the world! Does anyone else share my licking phobia?

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I would not say I have a phobia about it but it grosses me out too. We have three dogs and only one is a licker. You cannot even pet her without her licking your hand...and I am really tactile about my hands...don't like certain textures, must have them clean. Love to garden, hate the feel of dirt on my hands, but gloves gross me out too...that sort of weirdness...

I don't know what the solution is either on how to train her not to lick. I have jokingly said I was going to put hot sauce on my hands to teach her not to lick...but I would never do that of course.

Is there a way to train a dog not to lick, are some breeds more apt to lick than others? Our licker is a mutt (yellow lab, blue heeler, beats me mix) while our rat terrier never licks you and our sheltie licks only rarely, usually when she is really excited and it is just a one lick and she is done) but the mutt...she licks and licks licks like you hand is ice cream.

[motherofmolly]

just tell him "no" in a stern voice. You can even say "no licking" too. he will get use to you not liking that and not do it. you might want to also encourage him when he does not do it by saying "good boy" and giving him good pets and maybe even a treat.

labs are very smart. they learn quickly.

it is just a natural reaction for a dog to lick to say they love you. it does not make you a bad person for not wanting them to lick you. some forget exactly where that tough has been at times.

[coupondad101]

I can't stand to get licked by a dog either, I have a couple of friends i do not go to visit because of the dogs. I have 3 dogs myself and will not tolerate any of them licking me or another person

[mommy22boys]

just tell him "no" in a stern voice. You can even say "no licking" too. he will get use to you not liking that and not do it. you might want to also encourage him when he does not do it by saying "good boy" and giving him good pets and maybe even a treat.

labs are very smart. they learn quickly.

it is just a natural reaction for a dog to lick to say they love you. it does not make you a bad person for not wanting them to lick you. some forget exactly where that tough has been at times.

Oh he pretty much knows not to lick me, he just gets excited and licks my hand like once in a while. I was just thinking about it last night and starting feeling bad cause I know that his way of showing me affection and I react by being disgusted. Pretty rude of me but I can't help it!

[susysnshn]

I don't like to be licked either. For the most part, our cocker spaniel knows only to lick "Daddy," but every once in a while she forgets and licks my hand. It mostly tickles. But I just move my hand.

She only licks one of the grandkids, all of whom have grown up with dogs as their siblings. We tease him and say he must be the yummy one. I have no doubt she smells food on him.

[wendylv5]

My husband can't stand to be licked by our dogs. I don't think you are wrong for not liking it, there are many reasons not to like it. After all it is how they clean themselves. As horrible as it is for you to be licked you have to remember that they are doing it cause they love you. So try not to jump away when you are caught off guard and calmly tell him "no licking mommy, go lick daddy" ;) Good Luck!