20/11/2024
Definitely Bilbo licks himself obsessively and licks other objects such as fabrics when he is in pain or had his cortisol levels high following encounters with his triggers
TODAY OUR BREED EXPERT Carol Price explores:
LICKING BEHAVIOURS AND OBSESSIONS IN BORDER COLLIES
Readers of my books will be aware of my belief that Border collies can have traits strangely similar to those found in people on the autistic spectrum, even if these are expressed in a far more species specific way. And among these will be their heightened tendency to adopt different sensory phobias, fixations or obsessions, which includes more excessive licking behaviours.
And while this habit may seem ‘odder’ to us, it is worth understanding that the process of licking triggers the production of dopamine - or the 'feelgood chemical' - in dogs' brains. Which is associated with sensations of reward, comfort and also the development of addictions. Which is why so many dogs want to keep repeating the behaviour. Rather like nail biting in humans, licking can also be a default self-comforting behaviour collies instinctively resort to, without any more obvious trigger.
WHAT LICKING CAN MEAN
Over time I have seen collies lick absolutely anything and everything, from walls, mirrors, car windows and carpets, to bedding, furniture, sandpaper or owners' legs, hands, arms or feet. As often what they are seeking is some extra sensory element - i.e. texture, scent, warmth, cold, taste - to derive maximum satisfaction from the behaviour.
If a dog suddenly begins licking themselves (e.g. feet, legs) or other items more frantically, when they have not done this before, there could well be some medical reason for this. Such as parasites, seasonal allergies or even digestive problems, which should first be ruled out. Or they may be experiencing some more ongoing source of anxiety, stress or pain, and are seeking to better comfort or distract themselves from this through more obsessive cycles of licking.
So excessive licking patterns in collies should not automatically be dismissed as a more ‘harmless habit’ if all these other possible causative factors have not been looked at and excluded first.
WHEN IS LICKING A PROBLEM
Assuming that they have, then how big a problem you should view licking in your dog will depend on what they choose to lick, and how much damage they may be doing to whatever they are licking – including themselves.
If you can easily distract your dog from licking something, in order to get them to do something else, like have a treat or play with a toy, the habit is less obsessive. If your dog becomes so obsessed with licking something that they can't be more easily distracted in this way then, as with light obsessions, you must get into the habit of removing them from the source of their licking obsession - or remove the object they are licking - and put them somewhere else with maybe a chew or treat instead. Simply to break the addictive cycle.
KEEP THINGS LOW KEY
It is vital to stay low key about such interruptions to licking behaviours, as getting more hostile in your tone or body language could frighten your dog, or make them think this habit is some much bigger deal to you, which could then cause them even greater anxiety.
Some collies are big lickers, and others aren't. And some may restrict their licking mainly to their own bodies - especially feet, paws and legs. This is something you really have to watch, as some dogs can get so carried away with this activity that they start doing themselves real physical harm, and dogs have been known to lick/chew their own feet or legs right down to the bone, or create nasty sores known as lick granulomas.
Should you feel this is happening in your own collie, and you have first ruled out any medical factor behind the behaviour, which may well need treating - then the best way to stop it is to put them in a plastic buster collar, simply to stop them physically being able to repeat the behaviour. It may not be pleasant, but I have found that it is usually the only way to interrupt the constant loop of activity - i.e. licking and then getting the subsequent dopamine hit - that keeps it ever perpetuated. Any bandage or dressing you place on the sores are likely to otherwise be ripped off by your dog, and the wounds also need time to be treated and heal.
Every so often remove the buster collar and see what happens. If your dog goes straight back to licking the same sore spot again, immediately replace the buster collar. Constantly keep doing this until finally the wound is healed, and your dog stops licking this area again.
Meanwhile, far more on all aspects of Border collie psychology and behaviour can be found in my BREED APART trilogy of books on them:
All text ©Carol Price 2024
Carol Price collie books: In the UK from: https://performancedog.co.uk/?s=carol+price In the USA from: https://www.dogwise.com/ # and https://www.cleanrun.com/product/border_collies_a_breed_apart_book_1_secrets_of_the_working_mind/index.cfm In Canada from https://4mymerles.com/collections/books In Australia from: https://gameondogs.com.au/ And in the Netherlands and Belgium from: https://mediaboek.nl/border-collies-a-breed-apart-book-1.html
