Dog licking can be a normal behavior—some dogs will frequently lick themselves, their owners, and even their toys. When a dog licks furniture, it is typically the softer items in the home, such as couches, chairs, bedding, and carpet.
The miniature schnauzer weighs only 11 to 20 pounds and is the smallest of the schnauzer breeds. They’re known for being pretty healthy, especially as smaller dogs. Like many smaller dogs, miniature schnauzers worked as ratters originally. Therefore, they have a high prey drive and are pretty sturdy.
A dog may lick furniture because they are bored. Dogs, especially younger dogs, have a lot of energy. Oftentimes during the day, when owners are away at work, dogs will have pent-up energy that they do not know what to do with.
With no one home to play with them, many dogs will expend energy by licking objects they typically wouldn't lick. In most cases, this is not a serious behavior problem, but if left unaddressed the licking can escalate to destruction of objects.
Stress in a dog can manifest itself through a dog licking furniture or other objects inappropriately. In these cases, it is typically a short-lived and transient stressor such as a move, a new person or pet in the home, bad weather, an owner leaving the home, or other animals outside of the house.
Licking the furniture is a sign that your dog is stressed by these events. Consider increased exercise, anti-anxiety supplements or medications, environmental changes (like noise machines during storms), and other ways to decrease situational stresses when licking is noted.
Anxiety is common in dogs and involves more long-term stress. The same issues that can cause transient stress may also result in anxiety, but in these cases, the dog does not successfully acclimate. Many dogs suffer regular bouts of anxiety when their owners leave the home.
These dogs may self-soothe by licking furniture or other objects in the house. Left untreated, this can become pathological and a very hard behavior to correct.
In more severe cases, some dogs suffer from a true mental disorder such as obsessive compulsive disorder. These dogs tend to lick furniture and other objects, not only when they are left alone, but also in the presence of humans and their owners.