More obsessive with age

[georgia25]

I have a 3yr Pembroke (with tail) that as she has aged she has become more obsessive about things. Such as the ball, licking etc. The ball is what drives me crazy the most...She gets plenty of excercise and stimulation everyday so I'm thinking it's something that's come with age/maturity...any thoughts?

[MyPemCharlie]

My main thought was more exercise, but you say she's getting plenty. I would just try to break her attention to the obsessive licking and redirect her to do another activity. Charlie sometimes licks his paws to where I think he goes from grooming to "boredom licking", but I can say "Stop licking my paws" and he stops. (I say "my" paws because if he were to hurt them, I have to pick up the bill )

[Michael Romanos]

Obsessive with objects of play: a lot of dogs fall into this category due to the owner/handler having inadvertently or otherwise brought this upon the dog - and themselves. Take a break from whatever is causing undue attention eg, balls. Find a number of alternative play things or actions or exercising and alternate them. A dog's greatest joy is in being able to use and utilise their outstanding senses.
Incessant licking is very rarely an obsession - there is almost certainly a cause.

[rme147]

Well, I don't know about the toy thing, but I have a 4 year old Doxin who just won't stop. She will jump on my (or anyone's) lap, crawl up so her snout is right in front of my mouth, and just LICK! Not my face... but the air. She comes about 1/2 inch from my face, but she just keeps licking and she'll do it for as long as I let her- which isn't long. BUt she does it to EVERYONE! My parents also have a 6 year old shih-tzu who does the exact same thing... I'd say it seems like an obsession to me. It's kinda gross too. I don't know that this will help you at all, haha, but at least you can know your dog is not the only one.

[Louwants]

Maybe you can check out Petsmart for some of those interactive balls. Ones you put treats in and they can roll around the floor, to make the treat drop out. Duncan has one I give to him occasionally to keep him occupied. It's sorta noisy, but it's a large one that won't roll under the furniture like the first one he had. I spent more time getting that out from under things than he did playing with it.

Anyway, it kept his mind active and kept him out of trouble. You know the old saying, if you don't keep a corgi busy with something, he'll find something to keep him busy....and it usually isn't good!

[Michael Romanos]

"licking' (kissing) the air (or into space) is a huge difference from incessant licking of ones self. I'd say at a guess, that the licking the air (ie in this case inches away from a person's face) is a kind of kissing action when the dog knows that they are not allowed to actually kiss or touch the person's face having been told off time and again. It's the (poor) dog's compromise.