Excessive licking

[carmelsix]

My friend has a 3-year-old Chihuahua/Min-Pin mix. She came over the other day to see Danny since I just got him. We of course started talking about all kinds of Chihuahua-related topics. She said that she saw on the Dog Whisperer that obsessive licking is related to dominance. At first I said, "What? That the dog is acknowledging that you are the dominant one?" She said, "No, he is saying that he is dominant over you." I think it's funny since chi's are so small, but it got me thinking. She continued to say that the Dog Whisperer advises not letting your dogs lick and lick and lick and lick you. I'm not a big fan of crazy licking anyway, so I don't think it will be a problem.

My little guy is so small, his kisses are usually quick puppy kisses, but now I'm constantly thinking about it! Has anyone else ever heard of this? I can't seem to find much information on it.

[TLI]

That's interesting. My lil girl is the biggest kisser/licker. She'll kiss for 30 minutes if you let her. She doesn't have a dominant bone in her body. She is quite timid. Our lil boy, he only kisses/licks on his terms, and he would be extremely dominant if I let him.

[princess j]

I haven't heard that. Bianca loves to lick and I soak 'em because in my eyes she's just giving me affection!! All they have are their paws and mouth to touch with. I think they like to lick too because of salt that our skin has. I'm definietly no expert, so I just say affection is why they lick!
By the way welcome to the forum!! If you do find info on it, I'd be curious to know!

[islandbabies]

Hmph?? I'm interested too. Never heard of that. But Abby is a real huge licker, I don't let her go at it for a long time 'cause she'll do it to anyone and everyone!

[carmelsix]

I've decided to make an executive decision for myself and say that it is false information!

[zealot]

I also heard that licking is a sign of submission. Nooshie is a big licker. but since i dont like being licked in the face too much i do curb that behaviour, i dont mind her licking my hands or my toes though!

but licking up my nose and in my mouth, cant say i enjoy that too much!

[Teddys Mum]

Teddy is a licker too! he has all the children in hysterics as if he can get at there eyes ears they all think he is soo funny!
I also think that it is more submissive as my last Chi would very rarely lick only once in a while he would give a quick lick! and he thought he was the boss, he didnt like anone putting a arm round me or even standing over me he would attack them and chase people,s heals.

Mind at 20 months I have seen a change in Teddy he used to be so friendly with everone! now if he is on the floor he will jump up at people not aggressively but not friendly either! if I pick him up he will let them stroke him, he is puzzling me a bit.

[zealot]

I think i am going to stick with what i believe because Gordy is definitely the more dominant one in our house and he never licks me, Nooshie knows i am the boss and is very submissive around me all the time and she licks like a trooper.

[Bren75]

Kiwi is very outgoing but does not have a mean bone in her body..... she'll go up to any body or any KID / stranger for that matter and SHE's a LICKER ...... so no I don't believe that..... I think she just likes the way we taste and LOVES to give affection ....... ROFL. ;p

[Bren75]

although I will say she does love to harass the cats ;p

[2Chiwawa]

Both Sammi and Happy lick me. They both kiss on the lips. Sammi cleans my eyelids. Happy will lick my hands and feet while he holds them down with one of his paws. Sammi licks me when we first get in bed to go to sleep. Sammi gets very excited and will kiss me and then push my glasses up off my nose so she can get to my eyes.