Any ideas how to stop the dog licking kids hands?

Soubrette

MrsNorthman wrote: »

Yes they do, although, and I hope im right here, humans dont lick their bottoms

A fair proportion don't wash their hands after wiping their bottoms though

eat cat poo

Not cat poo, but I always think of the above when I see people eating peanuts etc set out communally :eek:

or lick their own penis do they?

Ummmm, not their own:o
add to that the nosepicking and sneezing that we all indulge in, then push round trolleys in the supermarket, open doors and all those other communually things that we all touch then tuck into our sandwiches or other finger foods. Plus a nurse I knew used to say that she always washed her hands before and after going to the toilet as any opening (nose, ears inc) can be a way of germs entering the body.

On the other hand there are some studies that show that children from dirtier environments - less bleaching, older brothers and/or dogs have healthier immune systems than those children when the parents go to great efforts to keep the germs away.

I think you may have to make a choice as to whether this dog is going to be worth the strife for you as you are asking it to stop doing normal doggy behaviour. Its not really fair on the dog to try and stop this behaviour and it's not really fair on you to keep the dog if it stresses you out.

lemontart

MrsNorthman wrote: »

Yes they do, although, and I hope im right here, humans dont lick their bottoms, eat cat poo or lick their own penis do they?

Not their own usually .................!

VoucherMan

MrsNorthman wrote: »

humans dont lick their bottoms, or lick their own penis do they?

Unfortunately not. But that's purely down to bad design.

What's the saying - Why does a dog lick his b*lls? Because he can!

murrayfan_2

poor li'l dog

suki1964

MrsNorthman wrote: »

I completely agree, it wasnt a good idea, im honestly not a pet person, but my husband and children love the dog to bits therefore im hoping he grows out of it.

Ive never liked dogs licking, I think its awful, dont get me wrong hes got a lot better as hes grown but its driving me insane.

I'm really glad you can admit you are finding dogs and their habits disgusting and are adult enough too admit you do have a problem with dogs

Unfortunately the dog won't grow out of it

What you can do is teach your dog some manners, but you need the whole family on board, and that includes the kids

When the dog jumps up, you need to cross your arms and turn away from the dog. No fussing the dog until it is sat with all four paws on the ground

All food needs too be ate at a table and the dog taught to go to his bed

As you can guess, that all really is hard work, getting everyone on board and you all doing the same thing

Hence why the suggestions of teaching your children to wash their hands wasn't as flippant as you thought

You have the dog. The kids and dad appear to love it. You need to get them all on board but you really do also need to relax. My grandson who is six treats my dog as his best mate. I've also taught him to wash his hands after playing with the dog and always before he eats or drinks anything. He's not yet been ill

Good luck

MrsNorthman

suki1964 wrote: »

I'm really glad you can admit you are finding dogs and their habits disgusting and are adult enough too admit you do have a problem with dogs

Unfortunately the dog won't grow out of it

What you can do is teach your dog some manners, but you need the whole family on board, and that includes the kids

When the dog jumps up, you need to cross your arms and turn away from the dog. No fussing the dog until it is sat with all four paws on the ground

All food needs too be ate at a table and the dog taught to go to his bed

As you can guess, that all really is hard work, getting everyone on board and you all doing the same thing

Hence why the suggestions of teaching your children to wash their hands wasn't as flippant as you thought

You have the dog. The kids and dad appear to love it. You need to get them all on board but you really do also need to relax. My grandson who is six treats my dog as his best mate. I've also taught him to wash his hands after playing with the dog and always before he eats or drinks anything. He's not yet been ill

Good luck

We always eat at the table, dog in always in his crate, unlocked, hes learned that when we eat he stays there, we dont pass food to him whilst eating, if he does get any leftovers its after everyone has left the table and plates have been cleared and then its put in his bowl, we never feed him from our hands, other than DH giving him treats when out on a walk (training).

It is mostly me doing all the training as im a stay at home mum, so with him all the time. He is very giddy still, jumping is a big issue, for such a tiny dog he sure can jump, we will try the turning around you mentioned but hes really bad for jumping for attention when family/strangers visit.

Someone else mentioned that it appears to be just me that dislikes the licking and that im projecting it into the kids, honestly they dont like it, he likes to lick feet aswell, one of the best things to come from getting the dog is that the kids always wear slippers or socks now, never would before, but they dont like having their feet licked so keep them covered when downstairs.

MrsNorthman

Soubrette wrote: »

A fair proportion don't wash their hands after wiping their bottoms though



Not cat poo, but I always think of the above when I see people eating peanuts etc set out communally :eek:



Ummmm, not their own:o
add to that the nosepicking and sneezing that we all indulge in, then push round trolleys in the supermarket, open doors and all those other communually things that we all touch then tuck into our sandwiches or other finger foods. Plus a nurse I knew used to say that she always washed her hands before and after going to the toilet as any opening (nose, ears inc) can be a way of germs entering the body.

On the other hand there are some studies that show that children from dirtier environments - less bleaching, older brothers and/or dogs have healthier immune systems than those children when the parents go to great efforts to keep the germs away.

I think you may have to make a choice as to whether this dog is going to be worth the strife for you as you are asking it to stop doing normal doggy behaviour. Its not really fair on the dog to try and stop this behaviour and it's not really fair on you to keep the dog if it stresses you out.

Getting rid of the dog isnt really an option, things may ease over time, we had a dog before the kids and there was never any issues with that one. I am allergic to fur, so washing my hands after touching a dog has been something ive always done automatically to reduce reactions, although after 6 months of owning a dog, its as though I get used to that particular dog, although I still have reactions to other dogs, but the constant washing never goes away.

I blame the kids, lol, Its since having them that I go over board with hygiene, wash my hands after touching anything, top this off with being pregnant and currently suffering with sinus issues im probably letting things bug me more than they should.

vicx

Raksha wrote: »

Dogs lick, its what they do, like humans hug and kiss, of course, this also spreads germs....

MrsNorthman wrote: »

Yes they do, although, and I hope im right here, humans dont lick their bottoms, eat cat poo or lick their own penis do they?

Chakani wrote: »

In many cases, only because they can't reach :rotfl:

Soubrette wrote: »

A fair proportion don't wash their hands after wiping their bottoms though

Not cat poo, but I always think of the above when I see people eating peanuts etc set out communally :eek:

Ummmm, not their own:o

lemontart wrote: »

Not their own usually .................!

VoucherMan wrote: »

Unfortunately not. But that's purely down to bad design.

What's the saying - Why does a dog lick his b*lls? Because he can!

Sorry but... :rotfl:

I haven't been on this board for quite some time, usually too many upsetting posts so thanks for the laugh

BigBlackcat

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...:(

I certainly didn't congratulate my MIL for letting her dog lick all over my YDS's face. Those so called "Doggy Kisses" gave my son a wondeful bacterial skin infection. My GP was appalled when I told him what had happened.

Soubrette

MrsNorthman wrote: »

Getting rid of the dog isnt really an option, things may ease over time, we had a dog before the kids and there was never any issues with that one. I am allergic to fur, so washing my hands after touching a dog has been something ive always done automatically to reduce reactions, although after 6 months of owning a dog, its as though I get used to that particular dog, although I still have reactions to other dogs, but the constant washing never goes away.

I blame the kids, lol, Its since having them that I go over board with hygiene, wash my hands after touching anything, top this off with being pregnant and currently suffering with sinus issues im probably letting things bug me more than they should.

It is tough and I think you are amazing for agreeing to have a dog when you have allergies anyway I think what will work is a combination of trying to be a bit more relaxed (not too relaxed, good hygiene is a must if you have animals) and training as suggested by suki1964.

I know this is weird but I have no problems letting an animal lick my hand but I would never ever let one lick my feet - yuk!