If you’re a dog owner, it is a regular occurrence to see dogs licking themselves and other things in the house.
The reasons your Dachshund is constantly licking may be different from other breeds. Wiener dogs have a unique role as hound dogs which plays part in their daily living. In this exposition, we will provide insight into all the reasons your Dachshund is constantly licking.
Let’s dive in.
Why do Dogs Lick the Floor?
Seeing a dog licking the floor is nothing to be surprised about if you’re a dog owner. This habit is quite common amongst most canines.
The main reason dogs lick the floor in the first place is strictly out of boredom and is usually nothing to be concerned with. Despite this, certain dog breeds are keener to pick it up.
Why do Dachshunds Lick the Floor?
Dachshunds, in particular, are avid lickers and mainly lick based on instinct. The reason is, Dachshunds are hunting dogs and trained scent hounds. Keeping that in mind, a house-trained Dachshund will be more in-tune with licking things than other dog breeds.
So, how does the dog owner know when too much licking is something to be worried about? There are sure signs to look for, which we’ll cover in this article.
Reasons your Dachshund is Constantly Licking
Upset Stomach
Make sure your Dachshund is receiving the proper diet. Gastrointestinal tract disturbances are typical with Dachshunds, so ensuring they have quality dog food is essential.
Consult your veterinarian if you suspect your Dachsie has a food allergy. Dachshunds often lick the floor, themselves, or household items to calm their stomachs.
Another thing to look for is what they are chewing on while outside. Monitor your wiener dog’s activity outdoors to prevent eating twigs and grass. Since some Dachshunds are allergic to grass, this is smart to look out for.
Allergies, Fleas, and Ticks
Allergies can come from many different places, so it can be difficult for a dog owner to pinpoint. Common causes of skin allergies include laundry detergents, dog shampoo, lotions, or fragrances used by the dog owner, and household cleaning products.
A good indication a Dachshund has an allergy is when they lick their paws frequently. Licking can relieve the itching and inflammation caused by allergies. Licking has an alleviating effect on dogs and acts as a natural stress reliever. It also distracts them from their itching in the first place.
Aside from allergies, fleas and ticks can wreak havoc on a Dachshund’s wellbeing. Stay current with your wiener dog’s flea and tick medication. Bathe your dog at least every 90 days and no more than every 30 days because it may dry out their skin.
Boredom
The leading cause of licking is most likely boredom. Boredom is usually caused by not receiving enough physical exercise or mental stimulation. For example, senior doxies are prime candidates for boredom because walks are typically shorter.
With all that extra energy, a wiener dog will look for things to keep them busy. Licking themselves and licking the floor is at the top of the list. Floors attract them mainly because that is usually where the food drops.
Being a scent hound, it is inevitable that a Dachshund will focus on smelling and licking the floor, especially if they lack physical and mental stimulation to relieve its pent-up energy.
Health Condition
Monitoring your Dachshund’s health status is crucial to help prevent issues before they arise. Even still, sometimes health-related problems occur out of nowhere.
Senior dogs might develop cognitive disorders that cause compulsive behaviors. For example, Dachshunds may develop canine dementia, or canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) syndrome, in their senior years.
Consequently, they may exhibit some compulsive behaviors. CCD makes canines more forgetful, making them fixated on doing something such as licking themselves or the floor.
Desperate for Attention
Dogs that are desperate for attention are often more social than other dogs. Therefore, this can be a challenging behavior to correct. Social dogs are already in tune with their master’s commands and the tone of their voice.
To outsmart your socially inclined Dachsie, ignore them when they start in on their licking ritual. If ignoring them proves to be ineffective, redirect their attention elsewhere.
For example, distract them with a new toy or relocate them outside. The main thing to remember in this situation is to never acknowledge licking habits as bad or good.
If your clever Dachshund views this behavior as bad, it will remember that in the future to get your attention. If your wiener dog considers this behavior good, you reward the behavior you are trying to correct, licking.
Solutions for Dachshund Licking Habits
Now that we understand why a Dachshund develops licking habits, it’s time to find solutions. Firstly, we must understand what is causing your Dachshund to lick in the first place.
Exercise and Temperament for your Dachshund
The first thing to try, which is also the easiest, is to ensure your Dachshund is getting enough exercise. Two short walks a day should keep your wiener dog’s anxiety levels at bay.
If exercise alone is not solving the problem, consider giving them a chew toy to keep their mind occupied. A chew toy is helpful, especially for younger dogs, and will distract them from being destructive.
If you find your Dachshund is still licking itself after giving them sufficient exercise, search for other possibilities that may be causing your dog to lick obsessively.
Spray the Furniture and Floors with Bitter Spray
If you find your Dachshund fixated with the floor, the chances are it is not because of allergies or fleas and ticks. Wiener dogs will lick themselves to relieve the itching from allergies.
Consider a product such as bitter spray that may work wonders for you in this case. The bitter spray applies on surfaces that your Dachsie is frequently licking. After your Dachshund licks it, they will get an extremely bitter taste, so they will remember not to lick that same area in the future.
Switch your Soaps, Cologne, Perfume, and Cleaning Products
Skin allergies can be the hardest thing to detect. Veterinarians will even have trouble identifying skin allergies because it is an issue meant for dermatologists.
Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian if you suspect your Dotson has skin allergies.
First, experiment with household cleaning products. Wiener dogs lie on your floors regularly, so try swapping out your cleaning products. Aim to replace your cleaning products with less invasive active ingredients.
Harsh chemicals will cause skin reactions to sensitive, prone skin. Replace your cleaning products with alternatives that include all-natural ingredients.
DIY Cleaning Products for your Dachshund
Another option is to “do it yourself” and make your cleaning product. Fill a bottle below the neck with filtered water and fill the remainder with white distilled vinegar. To give it a clean-smelling scent, throw in a few lemon peels and shake it up.
Final Thoughts
Many different factors can trigger a Dachshund’s licking habits. The first thing to check is to ensure your wiener dog is getting enough physical activity. Without regular exercise, your Dotson may develop anxiety, forcing them to fill their time creating new habits, such as licking.
If regular exercise isn’t doing the trick, the next thing to look at is everything inside of your control.
This includes:
- Ensure they are receiving the proper diet
- Monitor their outdoor activities
- Apply flea and tick medication regularly
- Bathe your Dachsie consistently
- Change your household cleaning products
- Change soaps, colognes, and perfumes
- Identify possible allergic reactions and sensitivities
- Supply your Dotson with chewing toys
- Apply bitter spray to frequently dog-licked areas
- Respond appropriately to attention-seeking Doxies
As a dog owner, if nothing else seems to be effective, the final things to consider are all the problems outside your control.
If you have a young wiener dog that is being destructive and showing compulsive behaviors like licking, your Dachshund will benefit from a dog training course. It is crucial to correct the behavior early to set up for success in the future.
However, if you have an older Dachshund who obsesses over licking themselves or other objects, you may want to seek professional advice from a veterinarian. A veterinarian will have the best answer to determine what exactly is causing your Dotson to be continuously licking all the time.
As you can see, many circumstances can cause your Dachshund to lick itself, objects, and the floor. Hopefully, this article supplied you with all the information needed to diagnose your wiener dog’s licking needs.