Dog constantly licking the floor?

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poiuytrewq

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I'll firstly just point out she is completely normal in all other ways!
Old Collie, owned for about 2 years. She was very very fat and over fed/under exercised before I had her.
So she's dieted and got her exercise built up slowly as she was very stiff at first.
She's always licked the kitchen floor and I put it down to scavenging for the inevitable crumbs and dropped bits.
If left to it she will lick for hours. We usually call her in with us and shut the door.
She's fine with that and won't try to get back in or anything.
Recently I notice the wooden floor in another room getting strangely marked and I think she's licking in there now aswell. We don't eat in that room or even carry food through.
Firstly I don't want odd marks all over the floor! But secondly I was wondering if there was a reason or something lacking?
She's shiny, alert and full of energy (too much energy!!) so I think health wise she's ok
 
OCD/learned behaviour.

There's an interesting post on social media at the moment about a retriever who linked licking doors with going outside. But not just the back door....cupboard doors, bathroom doors. Will lick the nearest door he sees if he wants outside.

So she may have linked floor-licking with food or something else she likes/wants and/or it has become an obsessive behaviour, which collies can be prone to.
 
Ok that's interesting! The is quite OCD actually! With her ball. A habit we have broken a bit, well quite a lot! At first all she ever did was stare at her ball. Now she loves a bit of a fuss or brush and seems to understand there is more to enjoy than a ball. Funny things!
 
Dogs will lick a joint (for example) that is causing them pain; they do this as the act of licking releases endorphins and makes them feel good. For some dogs the act of licking can become addictive as it sort of gives them a 'high'. So, whilst as an older dog she may appear fine, a vet check may not be amiss. Also, think of her mental state....is she 'pained' in any way? I ask as many people believe their dog may have CCD but one of the few I know that was diagnosed with scans was a consummate licker, amongst other things. However, you don't state how old the dog is, so may be irrelevant.
 
This is really interesting, my little white greyhound (aged 10) licks the furniture incessantly and has done ever since I've had her! She is 10 now, I got her at nearly 2 years old when she had been a starvation case stray in Ireland - I have always assumed it was a mental thing with her dating back to those years. She shows absolutely no signs of dementia, unlike my older greyhound
 
I'd not say mine shows any sign of dementia either, she's sharp as a pin!
I will ask my vet though as she's due her jabs shortly just incase it is something odd.
 
Had it only been one surface, then that might suggest that the dog somehow derives some 'taste'. As it is, I suspect that it may be 'habit', a self taught behaviour pattern perhaps. We know that mineral licks are made for hoses and all ruminants, but if they're made for dogs, you could give that a try.

Sorry if I'm not much help!

Alec.
 
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