Why do Maltese lick their owners

Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

Whats better than coming home to a kiss from a happy dog? Most dog owners interpret the reason why dogs lick their owners as a sign of affection. But is this really why your dog is licking you? And what can you do if your dogs licking behavior is out of control?

Is Licking a Dogs Way of Kissing?

The jury is out on what a dogs licking actually means. Believe it or not, what people interpret as affection might, in fact, be your dog encouraging you to throw up what you ate for lunch for them.

Researchers of wild canids wolves, coyotes, foxes, and other wild dogs report that puppies lick the face and muzzle of their mother when she returns from a hunt to her den in order to get her to regurgitate for them, notes Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, Columbia University.

Similarly, your dog could simply think that you taste nice. Certified applied animal behaviorist Dr. Mary Burch points out that humans have slightly salty skin, especially after sweating during exercise. Therefore, those licks might be more about seeking salt than giving affection. Horowitz adds that if your dog likes to lick your face, it will often happen after youve finished a delicious meal.

But, there is also evidence that licking is sometimes a sign of affection. Horowitz points out that, although it started as a food-seeking behavior, licking has now become a ritualized greeting for many dogs. Some wild species in the dog family will lick pack members just to welcome them home. So, those daily slobbers really might just be a sign that your dog is happy to see you.

Licking can be a sign of affection, explains Burch. It might also give a dog a feeling of security and comfort, just as the dog had when licked by its mother in the litter.

When Does a Dogs Licking Become a Problem?

Most licking is harmless, even welcome as a form of self-expression on the dogs part. Burch notes that theres no need to worry that its a form of domination in fact, its quite the opposite.

One theory is the licking is a sign of submission, she says. The idea is that dogs who are submissive will lick a more dominant member of the pack.

Even so, there are some scenarios when you might want to head off a slobber-fest from your pup. The first relates to human comfort, that is, some people simply dont like being licked by a dog. If you have a friend who dislikes being licked by dogs, its kinder to dog and friend alike to redirect the behavior.

But sometimes licking is a symptom of a more serious problem. If your dog is licking themselves, you, or objects excessively, to the point that it seems like a self-stimulatory behavior, this might be a sign of anxiety, boredom, or pain. Obsessive self-licking can also be a sign of allergies or other health problems.

What Can Dog Owners Do About Problem Licking?

If your dog is self-licking excessively, start by having your veterinarian check them out and address any medical problems or discomfort. Once youve ruled out medical explanations, you can turn to behavioral solutions.

One idea is to redirect your dog, says Burch. When they lick, switch up the activity. A good option is to choose a behavior that is incompatible with licking, such as using an interactive puzzle to get a treat. You can also have the dog engage in other behaviors such as ball play or trick training.

By repeating this redirect, youll gradually reinforce the lesson that you dont want your dog to lick, without ever using negative reinforcement.

Lick mats are specifically designed to tap into a dogs enjoyment of licking in a positive (and non-destructive or irritating) way. Smear some dog-safe peanut butter or plain yogurt on a lick mator even serve your dog their meals on a soothing lick matto help satisfy their urge to lick.

Trick training, in particular, is a good way to turn a repeated undesirable behavior into an opportunity for positive reinforcement. Start by simply having the dog sit, which might stop the licking on its own, then reward the behavior with a treat.

Next, why not harness your dogs affection by teaching them to give you a hug? Or to speak on cue? Other tricks to practice could include sitting up, army crawling, or leg weaving. If you and your dog find you really enjoy trick training, you could even look into AKC Trick Dog trials. If your dogs excessive licking behavior was caused by boredom, getting involved in practicing for Tricks titles will do the, well, trick!

Whether or not you dive into trick training, always make sure that your affectionate, lick-happy dog gets plenty of attention and exercise. Excess energy can lead to over-licking or other, more destructive behaviors.

Need some help training your dog? While you may not be able to attend in-person training classes during COVID-19, we are here to help you virtually through AKC GoodDog! Helpline. This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from behavioral issues to CGC prep to getting started in dog sports.

How To Stop Maltese From Biting

Maltese dogs are among the cutest and most harmless dog breeds available. They are popular pets for many people due to their small size, charming looks, and friendly personality. However, although small, these dogs can become quite aggressive over time, especially when they are not properly trained. One common problem that Maltese owners face is biting.

There are many reasons why Maltese will bite, and its essential to identify the cause to help stop this behavior. This guide will explore how to stop your Maltese from biting, including techniques and tips to use when training your pet.

Why do Maltese dogs bite?

Maltese dogs bite due to various reasons, including:

Fear: Sometimes, Maltese bite to protect themselves or their owners when they are not comfortable in a particular situation or feel threatened. Aggression: Maltese can become aggressive when they are not appropriately socialized, leading to bad behavior such as biting. Teething: When Maltese puppies are teething, their baby teeth often fall out, and new teeth come in, leading to discomfort that can result in biting. Playful behavior: Maltese puppies are full of energy and may use biting as a form of play.

How can I stop my Maltese from biting?

Now that we know the reasons a Maltese will bite, its time to look at what you can do to stop the behavior. Here are some tips for training your Maltese:

Socialization is essential: Ensure that your Maltese is appropriately socialized with other dogs and humans to minimize fear and aggression. Ignore bad behavior: When your Maltese bites you, dont engage with them. Turn your back, walk away, or redirect their attention to avoid rewarding bad behavior. Reinforce good behavior: Reward your Maltese when they show good behavior. Give them a treat or praise them to reinforce positive behavior. Use toys: Provide your Maltese with toys such as chew toys to redirect their energy away from biting. Be consistent: Consistency is key when training your Maltese. Ensure that you apply the same training methods consistently to avoid confusion.

Is it possible to train an adult Maltese to stop biting?

Yes, its possible to train your Maltese to stop biting, regardless of their age. However, it may take some time and patience, depending on the duration of the behavior. Consistency and positive reinforcement are crucial when training an adult Maltese.

Can I use a muzzle to stop my Maltese from biting?

Using a muzzle can be an effective way to stop biting, especially when the behavior is persistent. However, its essential to ensure that your Maltese is comfortable wearing a muzzle and that its not too tight or restrictive to allow them to pant or drink. Muzzles should only be used as a temporary measure while training your dog.

How can I train my Maltese to stop biting other dogs during playtime?

Frequent, supervised playtime with other dogs can help prevent aggression and biting. However, if your Maltese bites other dogs during playtime, you can use a verbal command such as no or stop and redirect their attention to an acceptable toy or play activity. Reward good behavior and continue to supervise playtime to monitor behavior.

Is it okay to allow my Maltese to play bite?

Its not recommended to allow your Maltese to play bite since this habit can escalate and lead to aggression. Encourage positive behavior and provide appropriate toys instead of allowing your Maltese to play bite.

Will obedience training help my Maltese stop biting?

Yes, obedience training is an excellent way to help your Maltese learn good behavior and stop biting. Obedience training involves teaching your Maltese basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and leave it. This training will help establish trust and a strong bond between you and your pet, leading to better behavior.

Can I use citronella spray collars to stop my Maltese from biting?

Citronella spray collars are not an effective way to stop biting behavior, as they do not address the root cause of the behavior. They may also cause discomfort or anxiety in some dogs and not recommended.

What should I do if my Maltese bites someone?

If your Maltese bites someone, its essential to take responsibility for their behavior. Ensure that the person bitten receives medical attention if necessary, and contact your veterinarian for advice on managing aggressive behavior.

What if my Maltese continues to bite despite training?

Biting can be a challenging behavior to eliminate, and some dogs may require professional help. If your Maltese continues to bite despite training, consider consulting with your veterinarian or a certified dog trainer for additional support in addressing the behavior.

Conclusion

In summary, Maltese dogs make great pets, but sometimes they can develop biting behavior, which can be a problem. Fortunately, there are several ways to help your Maltese stop biting, including consistency in training, positive reinforcement, socialization, and obedience training. Remember to be patient and consistent in your training to help your Maltese develop good behavior and establish a strong bond with you.

Why Do Maltese Dogs Lick Their Paws? (Explained!)

Licking paws is a common trait of all fur babies so Maltese pup is no exception. However, you might not be familiar with such a trait like many other owners.

Especially if you are a new pup parent. So seeing your Maltese furball licking often you would be wanting to know why do they lick their paws.

Why Do Maltese Dogs Lick Their Paws?

Normally, Maltese dogs lick their paws out of boredom, to cool down their paws in summer, and if it has become a habit. Otherwise, irritation, discomfort, itching caused by allergies, stress, insect sting, infection or fungus, and chronic illness are prime reasons behind Maltese licking their paws.

Licking paws a few times a day is normal for Maltese puppies. Because maybe they are just bored by not getting any exciting toys or activities to keep them busy and amused. So they are licking paws to time pass.

Or if licking paws have turned into a habit, Maltese will lick paws. Also, note that during summer walking on a hot floor makes their paws feel hot so that time they lick their paws to cool down them.

But excessive paw licking is not normal. If a Maltese obsessively licks paws that means he is under some kind of pain or discomfort.

Possible reasons behind excessive licking can be allergies that cause itchiness, irritation, and discomfort. So licking that area makes them feel better.

Stress is another reason, licking paws alleviates their stress. Insect bites and paw burn in summer are other reasons that make Maltese lick paws. If a Maltese has an infection or fungus in its paws it will lick paws to cure the infection naturally with its saliva.

Reasons That Cause Maltese To Lick Their Paws

The most obvious reasons are listed below for you to go through it if your Maltese pup is licking its paw at a concerning level.

Boredom

Boredom is a common reason behind your Maltese pup licking paws. If he doesnt get satisfactory mental stimulation or exciting activities or toys to play with, sometime a day he will lick paws.

Paw Burning In Summer

Hot weather in summer makes the ground hot. So walking on such hot ground causes paw burn. And that time Maltese puppies lick paws to cool down the burnt areas.

Allergies

Maltese can suffer from allergies due to having wrong food and contact with certain flowers, grass, or other things that cause allergy.

Allergies make their paws itchy also cause irritation and discomfort. Therefore, Maltese dogs lick their paws obsessively to get relief from itchiness and irritation.

Stress

Just like humans, Maltese puppies can go through stress due to separation anxiety, socialism anxiety, or a changed environment. So to calm them down mentally Maltese can lick paws excessively when they are triggered by stress.

Infection Or Fungus

If a Malteses paws are infected with infection or fungus, it will lick paws extremely to relieve the pain and irritation naturally by their saliva.

Insect Bites

Insect bites or stings also cause extreme paw licking. As the affected area swells causing inflammation, so Maltese dogs lick insanely to heal the area.

What My Dog Is Trying Warn About When They Lick Their Paws?

If you see your dog licking paws, dont always take it normally. He/she might be trying to warn you about a few severe issues. And here are the conceivable issues that you should pay attention to when your fur baby licks paws.

Pain

When your dog is licking paws extremely, it can be trying to convey that its paws are in pain. Maybe because of any kind of injury like leg sprain, insect stings or bite. So look at his paw pads carefully if it has inflamed or not and if you can feel an insect stinger or not.

Also, pay attention if your beloved pup is limping or resting too much than usual.

Irritation

If your dog is suffering from irritation and discomfort caused by environmental or food allergy, it will lick paws obsessively to draw your attention. So, pay attention after mealtime and regular walkout time if he licks his paws too much or not.

Anxiety

Your dog will lick paws extensively if he is going through anxiety or fear due to separation, socialism, or environmental change.

So if you see your pup has become reserved and licks paws too much if you leave him alone for a long time or after youve moved to a new place. Know that he is in depression.

Skin Burns

In hot summer days, your dogs paws can face burns, tenderness, soreness, peeling of the skin, blisters due to hot weather. Excessive licking during summer means he is warning about his sufferings in summer and asking you to keep him in a cool place or near water.

Boredom

By licking paws, your dog might be trying to say that he is too bored and wants to play some exciting new games or wants some human interactions for his mental stimulation.

How Much Is Too Much Paw Licking For A Maltese Dog?

When you will see your Maltese fur baby being obsessed over his/her all four paws and licks extremely almost all the time in a day. Also, making toe-slurping noise and chewing toes until they turn red is really too much for a Maltese dog.

Moreover, if you notice it spending most time licking paws and being reserved/uninterested in playing that also means the paw licking is too much.

Because such excessive amount of licking can make him/her lose hair in a high level. And can cause even skin infections. Besides, some Maltese can turn their paw pads red and inflamed by licking and chewing them way too much than usual.,

Can Excessive Paw Licking Be Harmful To My Dog?

Excessive paw licking can cause severe health issues for any dog breed. Skin problems are the main. As excessive lickings can soak up the natural moisture from paw pads leaving them dry and red. Also can cause extreme hair loss from that area.

Besides, hot spot or acute moist dermatitis can occur if your dog is licking, rubbing, chewing its paws too much. Such a condition will create redness, wet and irritated skin in the paw pads.

Should I Stop My Maltese From Licking His Paws?

If you see your Maltese licking paws extremely, immediately you should take steps to stop him from licking paws. Because paw licking obviously is a natural trait but a healthy and happy Maltese will never excessively lick his paws.

Also, extreme and continuous paw lick can be a red flag warning you that it can cause severe skin problems to your pup, like dryness, hair loss, hot spot or acute moist dermatitis.

How To Stop My Maltese Licking Paws Constantly?

Its normal to be worried about seeing your little companion licking too much to get relief from his sufferings. Therefore, here is some effective solution for you to attempt to stop your Maltese furball from licking paws.

But you are always suggested to see your vet first before trying on any remedy if you are confused about his paw licking reasons.

Treat With A Healing Cream

If your Maltese dogs paw pads have dried out because of excessive licking, treat those areas with a healing balm. Its a great solution to heal dried-out paws.

Also, works amazingly on itchy paws affected by allergies(environmental) and paw pad hyperkeratosis. ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment is a recommendation for you.

Anti-Itch Spray

If you want a quick solution to stop your Maltese from licking his itchy paws then spray an anti-itch spray on his paws. It will give him instant relief from itchiness. Bodhi Digs Anti-Itch Oatmeal Spray is an effective one.

Paw Wax

Paw wax is a highly recommended solution to stop your Maltese from excessive paw licking. A good quality paw wax will protect his precious paws from cold, heat, snowballing, and dry-rough surface.

So, he will stop licking paws by himself. Mushers Secret Paw Mix is a suggestion for you to use on your dogs paws every 7 days.

Eliminate Allergens

If paw licking is caused by allergies the cut off all those toxic foods from his daily diet list. Feed only the vet-recommended dog food or 100% natural foods without any extra flavor, sugar, caffeine, and chemical preservatives.

Also, keep the home dust-free and clean his paws with hypo-allergenic wipes after coming home from outside.

Provide proper mental stimulation

Maltese dealing with anxiety and stress needs mental stimulation to stop licking paws. So you can occupy their mind with exercise, new games, companion toys, spending time with him, and making him feel loved and secure.

Cold Compress

If your Malteses paws have burnt then to stop licking run cold water over his paws then gently dab the cold compress over burnt paws.

What To Put On Dogs Skin To Stop Licking?

A natural or doctor-recommended healing/soothing cream or balm and bitter spray can be put on dogs skin primarily to prevent him from licking his paws. Coat the paws with cream or spray and if he is causing an irritation you can cover the area with a bandage then.

As natural characteristics, a few times Maltese can lick paws, however, other serious reasons also trigger paw licking. So you should always do research and take a vets suggestion if you notice excessive paw licking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are Maltese dogs always white?

How big do Maltese get?

Do Maltese have hair or fur?

Do Maltese have curly hair?

Does Maltese hair stop growing?

When does Maltese puppy hair change