Neighborhood Dog

[katbuad]

This is NOT my dog I am talking about. My two dogs are well behaved. . . for the most part.

There is a lab (maybe mix) that is allowed to run free around the neighborhood. I have met her owners. Not the most upstanding pet owners, IMO. But on the other hand, this dog has a wild streak. She chews EVERYTHING. Every morning there are "presents" in my yard that she has drug over. She is very sweet natured. My dogs love to play with her. I let her in the fence (and she jumps in and out at will) with my dogs. I feed her and give her treats. She sleeps many nights on a pallet that I made for her on my front porch.

The problem is that she goes at everything with her mouth. She nibbles and licks your hands when you try to pet her. Not just a little bit, but A LOT!! I thought a couple swats on the snout would put a stop to it. But I have to swat her pretty hard to even get her attention. And now she is starting to shy away from me but as soon as I start petting her she starts licking me again.

I know that I am confusing her. Swatting her and then petting her. She doesn't seem to connect the swatting with the licking. I don't know what else to do. I want to pet her, but I don't want her to slobber me to death.

I should mention that she is kinda puppy-hyper.