Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much?

Updated: 02/10/2023

Why do Yorkies lick so much? You know you’ve wondered about this since you got your beautiful pup. If your Yorkie is leaving a trail of slobber and you’re scratching your head wondering why we’ve got the answers!

Contrary to popular belief, it’s normal for these furry friends to lick themselves excessively. But what lies beneath? Read on as we uncover some common reasons behind this ‘paw-sitively’ irresistible behavior.

Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much

Reasons Why Your Yorkie Licks So Much

If your Yorkie seems always to be licking themselves or others, take a moment to evaluate the reasons why. From showing affection and attention-seeking behavior to instances of preening and anxiety – there are many potential explanations behind this popular pup habit!

1. Naseous Yorkie

Dogs that feel ill may show signs of licking excessively. You will most likely notice your dog licking the tops and sides of its nose. This is their way of self-soothing. If your dog is licking its nose too much, it could signify that they are feeling squeezy and need extra love and attention.

It’s essential to take the time to observe your dog to determine if there is an underlying cause of the excessive licking, such as stress or a medical issue. If the licking persists, take your dog to a veterinarian for an examination.

The vet can help diagnose the underlying cause and recommend further treatment. Above all else, remember that spending quality time with your dog is one of the most effective ways to make them feel loved and secure!

When your dog is sick, you might want to try to feed it a bland diet.

2. Your Dog is Bored

Your Yorkie could just be licking itself due to boredom. Dogs get very bored easily, so what are they supposed to do? You may notice your dog licking its paws, which can simply be a sign of your dog being bored or anxious.

Take your dog for regular walks, play with them, and give them lots of attention to help keep them entertained and reduce their boredom. If the licking persists after trying these suggestions, it is best to visit your vet for a proper diagnosis.

3. Showing Affection

If your dog licks you excessively, such as your face or your hands, it is most likely just your dog showing you some affection. Dogs don’t have any way of telling their owner they love them, so they have to show affection the only way they know how, licking their owner.

The Yorkshire Terrier dog breed is known to be more affectionate than others, so you may find your Yorkie giving you kisses more than other dog breeds.

Dogs are attentive. They can sense when you are sad, stressed, or even nervous, so your dog could give you extra love based on how you feel. Now if I can teach this to my spouse…

Yorkie Licking Owner

4. Attention licking

By now, you might have heard that the Yorkshire Terrier, commonly called a “Yorkie,” is one small dog breed that needs lots of attention. If it doesn’t get enough love and affection, your pup will become quite stubborn – even to the point where constant licking can occur!

It is possible that you might have accidentally reinforced this behavior by giving them a treat after they just got done licking you. And when we give our pets positive reinforcement for their actions..what do they keep repeating? That’s right- precisely what earned them some extra rubs or treats in the first place.

So make sure you’re giving your Yorkie plenty of quality time throughout each day, so there isn’t any unwanted behavior like excessive licking. Before choosing this breed, however, be aware these pint-sized pups require much more than an occasional pat on the head…so do yourself (and Fido) a favor by doing thorough research before hopping into pet ownership with both feet!

5. Dental Issues

If you’re a proud owner of one of the tiny yet mighty Yorkshire Terriers, keep an eye out for signs that might suggest dental issues. Licking their mouths or redness in their gums are two telltale indicators.

So take your pup to the vet if you spot any warning signs! To ensure everyone’s teeth stay spick and span (yes, even Fido!), opt into brushing regularly. No need to brush daily, but bi-weekly would suffice just fine. Special toothbrushes designed specifically for dogs will get them over those pearly whites like it’s nobody’s business – see what we did there?

6. Salt on the Skin

Have you ever had a pup lick your legs for seemingly no reason? Turns out, there is an explanation: we taste good! Yes – that’s right. Our sweat creates a salty acid layer on our skin, and dogs are attracted to this flavor like nothing else.

So the next time Fido comes licking at ya, don’t forget his extraordinary palate – it gave him away!

Why Do Yorkies Lick?

7. Allergies

As if having our own allergies to deal with wasn’t enough, dogs can suffer the same! Allergens such as grass, fertilizer, and even certain product smells could affect your furry friends.

While severe symptoms may be a dead giveaway that something is wrong, pet parents often leave more subtle signs of canine allergies – like excessive licking – unchecked. If you notice Fido doing an unusual amount of tongue-lashing… take note and investigate further!

8. Your Dog has Fleas

Is your pooch scratching more than usual? Pay attention to pesky fleas! They can cause constant irritation and lead to excessive licking of the paws.

Thankfully, some treatments are up for the job, so you won’t have to worry about those little critters anymore. With a few months worth of protection, it will be as if they were never even there in the first place… and hopefully, no more paw munching either!

9. Serious Health Problems

Don’t let your pup’s excessive licking go unchecked! Observe the area of their body they seem to keep returning to, as it could be a sign that something serious is happening.

If you don’t see any signs of healing or improvement in this behavior after some time has passed, consult your vet – like with most health issues, early detection can make all the difference for our furry friends!

10. Bad Habit

It may seem cute when your pup indulges in a bit of self-mommy pampering, but watch out – it could be the start of something bad! Dogs can easily pick up similar undesirable traits like humans and our nail-biting or fidgeting habits.

If you want to nip this one diddy behavior in the bud before it becomes a full-on habit storm – reprimand those persistent licks ASAP! With patience and training, owners should have no problem getting their fur babies back in line.

Yorkie Licking Its Face

Why Do Yorkies Lick Their Privates?

Don’t worry if your Yorkie occasionally licks their “private parts.” It’s usually just them doing a little cleanup after using the bathroom. If, however, they’re licking more than usual or targeting other areas, such as the butt area – there could be an infection that needs to be checked out by a vet!

Not all excessive licking is bad news; it can also indicate when female dogs enter heat. So make sure you know what signs and behaviors are normal for Fido before getting too concerned about them giving themselves extra loving attention!

Why Do Yorkies Lick the Air?

Some dog owners think that when their dog is licking the air, it can mean something is wrong, but most of the time, your dog is either:

  • Licking the sides of the face.
  • Trying to lick its nose.
  • Your Yorkie is trying to get food out of its mouth.
  • Getting rid of excess drool.

Some of the more serious reasons why your Yorkie is licking the air:

  • Stomach ache.
  • Serious dental issue.
  • Sign of seizure.
Why Do Yorkies Lick the Air

Why Do Yorkies Lick Their Paws?

Is your Yorkie licking its paws a little too much? It could be anything from an infection to an imbalance in hormones causing the issue. If left untreated, it can not only mess up their fur due to staining but also make them more prone to injury and inflammation! You best get this checked out as soon as possible by your vet.

So, Your Yorkie Licks SO Much. A plan to Correct It

If you are bothered by your dog’s licking behavior, you can do a few things to correct it.

  • Distract your Yorkie from the bad habit of licking behavior it is exhibiting. You can redirect your dog with toys or chew treats that keep your dog’s mouth busy.
  • Give your Yorkie plenty of exercise to ensure your dog is not bored, and it will also help tire your dog out.
  • Train your dog to stop the licking behavior by teaching your dog the “No” command.
  • Make an adverse reaction to the licking, and your dog will eventually be able to tell that you do not like it.

So Why Do Yorkies Lick So Much? Final Thoughts

As you can see from this article, there are many reasons why Yorkies lick so much. It can be difficult to determine which one best fits your dog. Hopefully, your Yorkie isn’t dealing with any major health concerns.

If you’re still concerned, consider talking to your veterinarian and having them evaluate your dog. If it turns out that your Yorkie is licking excessively due to an underlying medical issue, they can help you develop a plan for getting it under control.

Additionally, if it’s just a behavioral problem, plenty of resources are available to help you reduce the licking. You can help your Yorkie learn new behaviors and stop obsessively licking with patience and consistency. Good luck!

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