Unravelling Reactivity: The Benefits of Licking

Licking can contribute to your dog's calm and wellbeing.

Licking is a natural behaviour that holds a myriad of benefits for our canine companions. We often think of dogs licking to express affection (bonding) or to keep clean (grooming). We might even understand that dogs lick their lips to express anxiety, lick their wounds to prevent infection, and may even lick their fur in hot weather to aid cooling through evaporation.

But have you ever thought about the connection between licking and reducing reactivity? Reactivity is an emotional response, and just like us – a dog is more likely to respond in this way when they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or already overstimulated.

There are several ways in which licking can contribute to your dog's calm and wellbeing:

It’s a calming activity – The repetitive action of licking and focusing on enjoying the tasty food/treats can help dogs relax and decompress. Licking can release endorphins, which are thought to have a calming effect.

It provides mental stimulation – Different lickable surfaces can provide a variety of textures, creating a mentally engaging task. This mental stimulation can aid in a more peaceful state.

It slows the rate of feeding – Licking food from a licki surface encourages slow and deliberate consumption. This can be particularly beneficial for dogs who tend to eat quickly, as it promotes a more relaxed eating pace.

It provides sensory stimulation – Licking engages a dog's senses of taste, smell, and touch. The use of different foods and textures provides sensory enrichment, which can be relaxing for dogs.

It reduces anxiety – For dogs prone to stress during certain situations (e.g., thunderstorms), the licking activity can help shift their focus and alleviate their anxiety.

It has a role when scenting – Licking the air or even the ground can increase the information a dog can gain when they are exploring the environment. Just be sure whatever they are licking isn’t harmful! Scenting, in itself, is a calming activity.

It’s used to seek attention – Many dogs will try to initiate a bonding session with us by licking. Responding playfully with a favourite toy or a Pattern Game (like Ping Pong) builds your relationship and adds value to the toy or game. These can then be used out and about to move their attention away from a trigger in the environment.

It may support digestion – Licking after eating is thought to stimulate the production of digestive hormones which helps maintain good digestion. This is linked to a healthy gut which in turn increases physical wellbeing for the dog. Digestive problems can drive reactivity in dogs.

It’s clear that there are many ways that licking can help to support a sensitive dog who is sometimes reactive. We can provide dogs with opportunities to engage in licking activities before, during and after a difficult event. This could involve using a textured licki mat (or something similar) or a dog-safe smooth surface.

Harry enjoys licking tasty food from a plastic stool, a smooth plastic mat, and the glass microwave plate. Have fun experimenting with different safe surfaces and foods to see what your dog enjoys the most. With a little imagination, your dog’s favourite licking activities can also be taken out on a walk to provide a refocusing and decompression activity.