kThe Cane Corso is a beautiful, muscular, and powerful breed that makes for an excellent guard dog. It is easy to understand why someone would be drawn to this breed. However, it can also be perplexing when your Cane Corso loves to lick you continuously. Why do they do this?
Cane Corsos are a highly intelligent breed that is incredibly loyal to their owners. This loyalty is evident in many ways, including their proclivity to lick, which can be a sign of affection and a way for them to show their love and devotion to you. Here are some reasons why your Cane Corso may be licking you so much:
Table of Contents
Showing Affection
One reason why your Cane Corso is constantly licking you is because they are showing their affection for you. Dogs lick each other as a way to show their love and bond with one another, and this extends to humans as well. When your Cane Corso licks your skin, they are showing their love and affection for you, just like they would with another dog.
Licking is also a way of promoting social activities, such as bonding time or snuggling. Dogs use scent to identify their owners and lick as a way of expressing their attachment. As such, the Cane Corso’s affectionate licking may signify his desire for closeness or even their way of telling you that they love and appreciate all that you do for them.
It’s their way of communicating with you.
Licking is one of the few ways that dogs can communicate their feelings and emotions to humans. If your Cane Corso is constantly licking you, they may be trying to communicate something to you. For example, if they are licking your face, they may be indicating that they want to play or go outside. If they are licking your hands or feet, they may be trying to get your attention, asking you to pet them, or simply showing you that they love you.
Furthermore, licking may also indicate specific needs or desires. If your Cane Corso is licking excessively, it could mean they are trying to tell you something. Monitor your dog’s body language and pay attention to if they’re licking more frequently before meals or around certain times of day. For instance, if they’re licking their lips and tongue more frequently when they’re thirsty, it could be a sign they need more water or take them outside when they’re licking the front door.
Stress Relief
It is not uncommon for Cane Corsos to lick as a way of relieving their stress and anxiety. Licking can have a calming effect on dogs by decreasing their heart rate, lowering their anxiety levels and stress, and providing a sense of comfort. They often lick as a coping mechanism in stressful or uncomfortable situations, such as when they are feeling unsure about a new environment or when confronted by loud noises.
Cane Corsos, like most dogs, require mental stimulation and physical outlets so if they get stressed, it’s essential to fulfill their needs. Consider scheduling regular outdoors activities to boost his energy and provide mental stimulation, like going on walks, playing fetch, or running together even for a few minutes every day.
Marking Their Territory
Dogs lick for an array of reasons, but one function that many pet parents overlook is that licking is a way of marking a dog’s territory. It is said that dogs possess glands in their mouth that secrete distinctive scents, and when your pet licks you, he is marking you with his particular scent. This behavior is another form of communication that he uses to recognize his owner and assist others in understanding who’s part of his pack.
However, it’s essential to remember that your Cane Corso would only engage in this territory-marking behavior if they believe you belong to them. Consequently, it can act as an indication of how bonded they are with you.
Likewise, it’s critical to ensure you create boundaries with your dog and lead him towards appropriate behaviors. Be sure to train him to understand house rules and limit any behavior that pushes you to set these boundaries.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiency could be another reason your Cane Corso licks you excessively. All pets require essential nutrients and minerals to stay healthy, and a deficiency in specific vitamins, such as Vitamin B, can cause licking behavior. When your pet lacks enough vitamin B, they start to lick their paws, face, tail, and other parts. So if your pup is licking himself or licking you more often than usual, it could be a sign of Vitamin B deficiency, which needs urgent veterinary attention.
Issue with Dental Health
Another reason your Cane Corso could be licking more than usual may signal unattended dental problems. Dental issues, such as gum infections, tooth decay or tartar maturity, can be painful and lead to constant salivation and tongue movements. Most dogs instinctively start licking to alleviate these feelings and ease their discomfort.
That said, it is vital to examine your pet’s dental health regularly and schedule a regular veterinary check-up. Ensure you maintain simple dental hygiene routines such as; regular teeth brushing or toys that promote chewing, such as bone toys.
How to stop your dog from excessive licking
While licking is a natural and common behavior in dogs, excessive licking can become a nuisance to both the dogs and their owners. Here are some approaches to curbing excessive licking in your dog:
- Regular Exercise
Dogs who are bored or anxious may exhibit excessive licking behavior out of stress or restlessness. Providing your dog with regular exercise of at least 30 minutes daily can reduce anxiety and stress levels, giving them an appropriate outlet for their energy.
Consider activities such as walking, running, playing fetch, and more activities your dog enjoys. Besides, incorporating obedience training or interactive games can provide quality time and mental stimulation to alleviate stress.
- Re-Direct Their Behavior
One effective method of stopping excessive licking is to redirect their behavior. Distract them by giving them a treat or a toy to play with instead. This re-directs their attention to a more positive behavior, reducing negative behavior associated with licking.
To do this, offer the treat or the toy to your dog whenever they start to lick you, redirecting their focus away from your skin to the treat or toy. With repetition, your dog should learn that licking results in redirection and positive rewards, decreasing the connection between licking and the responses from you.
- Keep Their Mouths Busy
Ensuring your dog has access to plenty of chew toys can help relieve their oral fixation tendencies. Offering enough toys or bones to chew will not only provide dental benefits but also act as an appropriate outlet for excess energy and redirect their urge to lick.
When choosing toys or bones for your dog, be sure to find those suitable for their size, temperament, and chewing strength.
- Regular Grooming
Excessive licking and grooming can also be attributed to skin irritation, hot spots, allergies or other dermatological conditions. Regular grooming of your dog, including brushing and bathing, can help reduce the urge to lick.
Plus, with regular grooming, you can examine your dog’s skin for any possible signs of irritation, allergies or other skin conditions, and schedule timely veterinary appointments to prevent escalation.
- Training
Training can be an effective way to stop unwanted behavior like excessive licking. Use positive reinforcement techniques to train your dog to stop licking. Set clear boundaries and reward good behavior consistently. You can modify exercises to boost disciplinary measures suited for your dog.
For example, if your dog tries to lick your face when you’re working or multi-tasking, consider training them to understand basic commands like “sit” and “stay.” This way, you’ll be able to command and guide your dog to an appropriate behavior and help reduce their urge to lick or disrupt your focused tasks.
- Medical Intervention
If the excessive licking has become a compulsive habit, it may be a symptom of an underlying problem. A Veterinary physician’s evaluation can be necessary to diagnose and treat any physical or psychological conditions that may be the cause of the excessive licking.
Medical interventions may include prescribed medications, anti-itch shampoos or creams, antihistamines or corticosteroid treatments, or in extreme conditions, behavior modification practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why your Cane Corso may be licking you so much. It can be a sign of affection, a way to communicate with you, a way to relieve stress, mark their territory, or even an indication of an underlying health problem. It’s vital to take note of the frequency and patterns of licking as excessive licking could be a sign of an underlying issue. Monitoring the behavior of your furry companion will help you understand their needs and identify potential health concerns early.
