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Rescue Dog Licking The Carpet

Posted : 8/10/2012 9:34:05 AM

This is my first post! My boyfriend and I rescued a 1yr 7mo (estimate) Shar-Pei/Labrador mix from the SPCA last week. Everything has been awesome. But this morning he's been dead set on licking this one area of carpet behind the couch. I put a pillow over the area to kind of cover it up, but when I'm not paying attention he wants to go back to licking the carpet. Why on earth is he doing this? If he continues I've been thinking about spraying some vinegar on the spot to keep him from doing it. I'm worried that if I let it continue he'll start to chew on that spot. Thanks!

JackieG

Posted : 8/10/2012 10:44:47 AM

It could be that spot had something spilled there that is attracting him or it could be OCD behavior. Article about OCD. http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_9/features/Dogs-With-OCD_20062-1.html There's lots of info out there on OCD behavior, if that's what he's displaying.

Freedom

Posted : 8/10/2012 12:13:01 PM

I suggest cleaning that area of carpet really REALLY well. Use some antibacterial soap, and after that, lightly spritz it with a half and half mix of white vinegar and water. This will be mild enough that you won't smell it; but strong enough that a dog, with his nose close to the source, will not like the white vinegar smell.

PawMaid

Posted : 8/10/2012 12:25:25 PM

I to would suggest cleaning the carpet really well.

I did have a dog that oppressively licked the carpet ( OCD) in his case it was not one spot.

If this continues I would first take him to your vet and or a dog behaviorist .

We used a method of redirecting the behavior and distracting him, Making sure he got plenty of exercise and puzzle toys or interactive toys to help occupy him.

This lessened the behavior, but we never fully got rid of the behavior.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/10/2012 2:08:06 PM

Everyone is correct --

A. It can be really tough to clean something 'well enough' for a dog to lose interest. And I've had several dogs who LOVED the taste of vinegar (pickles in articular)

B. the theory is -- and I'm way over-simplifying this -- generally obsessive-compulsive behavior will generally be "carpet licking" - pretty much different places all over but triggered by whatever caused him to go into the behavior.

So -- if he's just after some *thing* on that particular spot he shouldn't randomly just commence licking somewhere new, But neither do you want to handle this in a way that will CAUSE him to want to lick elsewhere. You may remember if someone spilled something there, but if you live in an apartment or rental, then it could have been a spot where a prior tenant's dog had an accident -- and that could be several places thru the home or apartment. In other words, you don't want to conclude it's OCD if he's just after every place the other guy's dog had an accident!!

To start with -- the FIRST thing I'd do is pull a solid piece of furniture or something HEAVY over that spot he's licking and totally obliterate it or make it impossible for him to get to it.

You have to be really careful not to inadvertently reinforce this -- what Jackie said about distracting him completely away, give him something to *do* to totally divorce him from the whole area so he doesn't get to fixate on it.

But putting somethng like a pillow there will either make a game of it or worse.

JackieG

Posted : 8/10/2012 4:05:33 PM

calliecritturs
what Jackie said about distracting him completely away, give him something to *do* to totally divorce him from the whole area so he doesn't get to fixate on it.

Wasn't me who said that but it's one of the methods used to deal with OCD behavior. :) Basically you want to interrupt the behavior itself which can take many forms, if it's OCD.