Any ideas how to stop the dog licking kids hands?

MrsNorthman

We have a 11 month old Miniture Jack Russell and hes always licking the kids hands, the kids are 3 and 5, because his head height is about level with the kids hands, if they are walking past him or just stood near him he will go give their hands a lick, ive tried saying No when he does it and ive told the kids to say no when he does it but he just thinks the kids are playing when they say it and ignores me. Luckily ive installed it in the kids that if the dog licks them they must clean their hands, but with the amount of times the dog does it, their hands are getting sore from washing so much.

I know some people arent bothered about dogs licking them, but I do not like it, more so knowing what my dog gets up to with his tongue the rest of the day.

Any ideas?

Thanks

pawsies

Get kids to wear gloves when around dog?

Licking is a normal behaviour for dogs. However if you want to train it out I would recommend using a target so he focuses his attention on that rather than hands. Hands also bring food and he could be doing it for attention as kids say 'no' and you say 'no'.

I would therefore train him to target a stick or whatever you have around the house to redirect the behaviour and do some training with him.

Here's more info about targeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EoYPBg7yhA

also research clicker training, could be a great way to keep the kids entertained and the dog as well as building the bond

nonnatus

Hmmmm, how odd!

Make sure the dog is wormed and well in himself, then stop worrying so much! In fact you could congratulate yourself on providing a wide range of "good bacteria" to your children and so making them stronger and more resistant to "unfriendly bacteria".

Whilst I wouldn't want a full snog from any of my dogs, I'm not anxious about washing after I've been licked (unless I'm just about to eat!)

No doubt your children hold hands and mix with other kids at school and outside your home. You can't protect them from everything. I'd be more worried that their hands were becoming sore from too much washing - I think that's a much more alarming problem...:(

MrsNorthman

nonnatus wrote: »

Hmmmm, how odd!

Make sure the dog is wormed and well in himself, then stop worrying so much! In fact you could congratulate yourself on providing a wide range of "good bacteria" to your children and so making them stronger and more resistant to "unfriendly bacteria".

Whilst I wouldn't want a full snog from any of my dogs, I'm not anxious about washing after I've been licked (unless I'm just about to eat!)

No doubt your children hold hands and mix with other kids at school and outside your home. You can't protect them from everything. I'd be more worried that their hands were becoming sore from too much washing - I think that's a much more alarming problem...:(

The dog is wormed like clockwork. My kids are a nightmare for putting their hands in their mouths so im afraid its not something I can just leave. They dont like him licking their hands so I dont see why I should let it continue.

maninthestreet

Get a cycle horn - evevytime he licks someone's hand sound the cycle horn close to his ears.

pawsies

maninthestreet wrote: »

Get a cycle horn - evevytime he licks someone's hand sound the cycle horn close to his ears.

that's horrible and is a sure way of getting him to be scared of the kids!

at least now he is friendly to them...

scaredy_cat

maninthestreet wrote: »

Get a cycle horn - evevytime he licks someone's hand sound the cycle horn close to his ears.

and a great way to deafen the dog!! marvelous idea!

Sally_A

Young pups when weaning often lick the mothers mouth for half chewed food.

Much as it makes you panicky re hygiene, it is actually a good sign that the dog has put the kids above him in the pecking order.

Teach the kids hygiene, as for telling the dog off for doing it, could ruin the bond and pecking order they have.

meritaten

could you persuade the older child to put some mustard or something equally harmless but abhorrent to the dog on his hand? then walk past the dog? and slow down for a lick? do this a few times and the dog should decide licking kids hands is not a good thing.
I also agree with not telling dog off - gives the wrong message as the dog is trying to show its place in the family.

suki1964

If you are worming your dog, keeping his inoculations up to date and teaching your children to wash their hands before eating and after playing with the dog, then you really don't have any worries

To be honest every time you take your kid to a play park, you are exposing them to any old flea bitten dog , fox or cat that's had a pee.

Just teach the kids to wash their hands and not to eat their own bogeys and they will be grand

VoucherMan

MrsNorthman wrote: »

My kids are a nightmare for putting their hands in their mouths so im afraid its not something I can just leave.

I'm no expert on kids or dogs but wouldn't it be better to discourage the kids putting hands in mouths all the time?

They're probably licking off far worse germs while they're elsewhere.