Why Do Havanese Dogs Lick So Much [Explained]
Why do Havanese dogs lick so much is the common question that this post will address, so keep reading!
Licking is a normal and appropriate behavior for dogs, not just for expressing food but for showing love and affection as well.
Havanese dogs are known for their love of licking.
They’ll make a beeline from one person to another, often with tongues hanging out of their mouths, or they’ll just start running around like crazy.
But why? In this article, we’ll look at some of the reasons why these little pups lick so much—and what you can do about it!
Why Do Havanese Dogs Lick So Much
Some people believe that Havanese dogs lick excessively because they are trying to cool down.
Others think that this is a way of marking their territory or communicating with their owners.
No matter the reason, it’s important to be aware of the behavior and to train your Havanese to stop if it’s becoming a problem.
Reasons why Havanese dogs lick so much
The following are some common reasons why Havanese dogs lick so much:
To express affection
Licking is a good way that Havanese dogs use to express affection to their owners.
Dogs often lick other dogs, their owners, the people around them, and even themselves.
This behavior can vary depending on the situation and a dog’s age and experience level.
For example:
- If you’re just getting to know each other or are new to owning a dog in general, you might find that your new Havanese is very shy at first—particularly if they’re still young (less than 4 months old). In this case, it may be necessary for them to learn how much affectionate licking is acceptable before they feel comfortable enough with their owner/caretaker so that there aren’t any misunderstandings about what constitutes acceptable behavior towards them (and vice versa).
- As your pet grows older (from 3 months up until adulthood), its level of comfort decreases because they’ve already established itself within its own pack hierarchy; therefore it becomes less important for them how much affectionate licking takes place between members within this group because everyone knows whose boss!
To show submission, respect, and/or attention
One of the reasons why Havanese dogs lick so much is because it’s a way of showing submission, respect, and/or attention.
Submission: To show they are not a threat
Respect: To show they are not a threat
Attention: To get attention
If you love dogs, you’ll love the Havanese. These small, playful dogs are known for their love of licking, and they love to get attention.
They are also very loyal dogs, and will always greet you warmly when you come home by licking you.
To get a taste of something
Havanese dogs lick so much because they want a taste of what you are eating, what you are doing, etc.
It’s their way of getting to know you better. They will also lick your hands and feet when they’re playing with other people’s dogs or cats (which is not as common).
Havanese licking doesn’t stop after just one time! The lick can continue for several minutes until the person notices that something has changed about their Havanese dog – perhaps he smells differently?
The point is: if your dog licks you more often than usual then there may be something wrong with him/her, and we recommend taking him/her to an emergency vet ASAP!
Because they’re scared
The first thing to know about why your Havanese dog licks so much is that they’re simply scared.
Your sweet pooch may have been abused or neglected in the past, and now he’s looking for reassurance that everything will be okay.
Licking can help him feel secure again, which is one of the reasons why it’s such a common behavior among dogs in general.
They want to feel comfortable and safe around people (and especially their owners).
The second reason why your Havanese might be licking so much has to do with socialization.
As puppies grow older, they begin to learn how people treat them based on their reactions during interactions with other animals or humans.
If your pet doesn’t get enough positive attention from others early on in life (or if there were instances where he didn’t receive any).
Then eventually he’ll resort back to those behaviors when faced with new situations where his previous experiences don’t matter anymore!
This might explain why some dogs lick excessively when left alone at home without anyone else around.
However, even spending time outside all day long while playing with other pets nearby doesn’t mean anything anymore either because nothing really changed except maybe some new smells coming off clothes.
Because it feels good
Licking is the only way that Havanese dogs can clean their fur.
They lick to keep themselves cool, warm, and healthy. They also lick to keep their skin clean, as well as their mouth and teeth.
The saliva in the dog’s mouth contains special enzymes that break down proteins in food so that they can be digested more easily by the body (this is why cats have such a hard time digesting meat).
If you give your Havanese dog a stick of celery or carrot with some ketchup on top—and then try to stop him from licking away at it.
You might notice he stops eating for a moment before quickly going back for another go around!
To encourage obedience
Havanese dogs lick to encourage obedience. The reason why your dog is licking you is that it wants something from you and when you don’t give it what it wants.
It will get upset and try to get your attention by licking or biting at your hands.
This can be seen as a way for the dog’s owner to communicate with them in an aggressive manner.
If they want more attention from their owners, then this behavior will increase as well.
This leads us back to another reason why these dogs are known for being lickers: They seek out affection in order to feel loved and cared for by their masters/owners!
Because they have a lot of energy
Havanese dogs are a very active breed and can be difficult to keep in check.
Because of this, it’s important that you make sure your Havanese dog gets enough exercise.
If you don’t have time to exercise regularly, consider getting a Pet Fitbit or other fitness tracker so that your pooch knows when he or she is being active enough.
The good news is that many dogs love running alongside cyclists or joggers!
Just make sure they’re wearing collars with reflective tags, so drivers can see them from far away!
Because their owner does it a lot
If you have a Havanese, it’s likely that your dog loves to lick. Why? Because their owner does it a lot!
Dogs are social animals who enjoy spending time with other dogs and humans.
They also mimic each other’s behavior—so if you tend to be affectionate with your pet, they will try to get close by licking you on the face or neck (or even all over).
Excitement
Excitement is a big deal for Havanese dogs. They love to play, and they like to have fun.
When your dog is excited, it can lead to licking more than usual—but why?
To understand this behavior, we need first to look at the anatomy of a dog’s mouth.
One of the most common things people notice about Havanese Dogs is that they lick a lot when they are excited.
This is because Havanese are descended from tropical dogs that lick their fur to keep it cool.
In fact, Havanese Dogs often lick their owners and other people they know in an attempt to show their affection.
This behavior can be a bit overwhelming for some people, but it is actually a sign of love and affection.
They are bored
There is no doubt that Havanese dogs lick a lot When Bored. This quirky behavior is actually quite fascinating, and there are a few reasons why it happens.
First of all, Havanese Dogs are incredibly devoted pets. They love spending time with their families, and they get really bored when they’re left alone.
So when they’re bored, they’ll often lick whatever they can find to pass the time. Secondly, Havanese Dogs are really good at detecting flavors.
This is because they were bred as gundogs, and their job is to track down food and scent glands. So when they’re bored, they’ll lick to keep themselves busy.
To relieve stress
Havanese dogs are known for their licking behavior. This behavior is used as a way to relieve stress.
Licking can be done in a variety of ways, including the use of the tongue, the mouth, and the paw.
Learn more about ways to care for a Havanese dog.
How do I handle Havanese licking so much?
Havanese licking is a common problem and one that can be difficult to solve.
For one, it can be difficult to determine when licking is actually a problem.
Some owners may not realize that their dog is licking excessively until it has become a problem. Second, it can be difficult to determine why the dog is licking.
Some dogs may lick excessively because they are bored, anxious, or because they are trying to clean themselves.
Finally, it can be difficult to identify the best way to handle the licking problem.
Some owners may try to punish the dog, while others may try to train the dog to stop licking.
- Train your Havanese dog to sit and stay.
- Control their environment by keeping them in a confined space or on a leash when outside.
- Use a bitter apple or apple cider vinegar spray to deter them.
- Use a chew toy to keep them occupied.
- Get a Havanese pup used to being brushed and petted regularly.
- Use a pet gate to keep them confined to one area.
- Don’t allow the dog to lick anything but his own body and the people he is specifically trained to lick.
- Get them a chew toy that is shaped like a bone.
- Use a cone to keep them from sitting in one spot.
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior.
- Work with a veterinarian to develop a treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of the licking behavior.
Conclusion
We hope that the information we’ve provided has given you some insight into why your Havanese might be licking so much.
And what to do about it! It can be frustrating to watch your dog lick himself all day long.
But it’s important to remember that their behavior is not a sign of illness or disobedience.
If you are experiencing any issues with your dog’s licking habits, please contact a responsible breeder for more advice on how best to handle this situation.