Why Does My Shiba Inu Lick Me So Much? Explained!

Why Does My Shiba Inu Lick Me So Much?

Below are some of the reasons why your Shiba Inu likes this behavior;

Affection

Shiba Inus lick someone to show their affection towards that individual. Besides, licking you is a way to tell you they love and care about you.

In addition, Shibas will use this behavior to cheer you up while improving the bond with their owners.

Attention

Shiba Inus also use licking to get your attention. When they need your attention, and you appear busy doing other things, they’ll likely lick you to get your attention.

So, Shibas don’t use barking as their only attention grabber. They can also use licking as a convincing power to get you to do for them what they want.

You may want to check our post on, Shiba Inu body language.

Bad Habit

Shiba Inus constantly licking you is a bad habit they get from their mother from a young age. It can become a compulsive behavior if not checked.

So, you need to learn ways to handle this bad behavior early. Earn how to redirect their energy to other things.

Boredom

Boredom also makes a Shiba Inu lick you continuously. Since Shibas are independent, intelligent, and high-energy dogs, they know how to express boredom feelings.

So, when your Shiba stays away from their owner for some time, they’re more likely to show up with licking behavior.

Also, if they’re bored that you failed to provide their favorite toys, they’ll start licking you to convince you.

Empathy

Shiba Inus, like other dogs, can sense when things aren’t going well on your side. They can read your inner emotions and want to show empathy.

Therefore, if they feel like you’re not at your best, Shiba Inus might start licking you to show empathy and hope that all will be well.

So, Shiba Inus use licking to cheer you and other family members up if they think you’re upset and not in your best mood.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Shiba Inus can also develop this disorder. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can manifest through non-stop licking. They’ll lick not only you but also lick other things like carpet, furniture, and themselves.

So, this is a bad habit you must correct from a young age if you observe it. Contact your vet for further assistance if you see an excess of it.

Requesting For Something

Shiba Inus lick you when they request a share of some nice food you may be eating.

Shiba Inu’s nose has a high sense of smell. So, if you’re eating something that tastes good, they’ll lick you as a way o request a share.

Stress & Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are two things that make Shiba Inu start this bad habit of excessive licking. Licking you is an attempt to calm themselves down.

When your canine friend licks on you, their body releases endorphins and dopamine chemicals that make them feel good.

How To Handle Excessive Licking from Your Shiba Inu

Now that we know Shibas are prone to excessive licking, what are the remedies? Follow along with me as I take you through what you should d to address this bad behavior.

• Find The Root Cause
• Introduce Pattern Interrupt
• Find Ways to Redirect Their Attention
• Always Remain Calm and Be Consistent with Redirection Training

What’s more;

Find The Root Cause

The first thing you should do is to identify the root cause of the excessive licking behavior. Everything that happens with your pooch friend has a cause and effect.

So, find what they want and why your Shiba is constantly licking you. It’s easier to address a problem you know the cause.

Introduce Pattern Interrupt

So, after you have identified the licking trigger successfully, it’s time to introduce an interrupting effect.

Ensure you stop them immediately after they start active licking. You can stop them by using commands or gently touching them.

If you’re unsure how to stop your pooch friend from excessively licking, always stand up from the position you sat in.

After you stop them, you should go ahead and redirect the attention. Don’t just leave your canine friend without showing them something else to do. This takes us to the next step.

Redirect Their Attention

Learning how to redirect your Shiba Inus attention is an underrated skill. This will help you from a lot of issues with your canine friend.

So, after you order your canine friend to so licking you, provide them with something else that may keep them busy.

After your Shiba Inu stops, begin by giving them a treat or a toy to chew on. The new action you use to redirect your Shibas energy should be something you want them to start doing.

Such actions include training, solving puzzles and tricks, or exercising around your home compound.

Always Remain Calm and Be Consistent with Redirection Training

Handling Shiba Inus requires a lot of calmness, especially from the owner. Shibas are hyper-energetic dogs and have high energy. So, you need to be calm even when they’re doing the wrong thing.

Ensure you’re consistent with the activity you’re using to redirect your Shibas energy. Ensure you teach people around you how to stop your canine friend from excessively licking.

So, you’ll have to work together with people around you on what to do and what not to do if your pooch friend shows this bad behavior.

The family members should also learn to always remain calm in such times and should know how to redirect Shibas energy into something else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shibas Attach to One Person?

Shiba Inus tend to attach to one person; this one person is more often the owner and is the one they have total trust in.

This doesn’t mean Shibas aren’t friendly to other family members. They only have a stronger bond with the owner, creating a special partnership.

How Does a Shiba Inu Show Love?

Shiba Inus show love in many ways, including licking you or wagging their tail on seeing you. They’re affectionate and trustworthy to their owners.

Shiba Inus shows love by smiling and assuming a happy facial expression.

How Do You Make a Shiba Inu Love You?

Making your Shiba Inu love, you call for your calmness, respect, consistency, and fair in all undertakings.

So, you shouldn’t respond to your Shibas actions with anger even when they’re in the wrong. Remain calm, and correct them without showing anger and anxiety.

Conclusion On Why Does My Shiba Inu Lick Me So Much?

Shiba Inu like licking their owner a lot as a show of love, affection, and their trust in him.

So, it shouldn’t be a big deal if your Shiba shows signs of excessive licking. However, you should seek the proper measures to control the behavior before it gets out of hand.

Shibas can lick on you for many reasons, such as needing your attention, convincing you to do something for them, and when they’re stressed.

The best thing is to know how to respond when this happens, especially in young Shiba Inu puppies. So, remain calm, be consistent with training, and redirect their attention for the best results.