[alaskayorkie]

Jillie failed her therapy dog test the first time for just that -- excessive licking! I'd never discouraged it because it doesn't bother me, but I can see why they wouldn't want a dog licking people in a hospital setting.

So I just addressed in like I would anything I teach her. She got rewarded for no licking. I'd put my hand out, she'd like, and I'd say No Kisses. As soon as she heard the word 'no' she stopped, and that's when I rewarded her with a treat.

Eventually I got to the point where I could tell her No Kisses and them put my hand out right in front of her. If she refrained, she got a treat.

It hasn't totally stopped her from licking, but at least now I can control it. And she passed the therapy dog test a few months later on her next try.