My dog recently started licking everything. He licks the sofa, the bed, our skin, the carpet. We have had him for 8 years and he has always been the perfect dog. We are just curious.

Just for your info, he recently had a check up and was diagnosed with heart murmur, and also never urinated in the house, but recently did a couple of times. I do not notice that he is drinking more water and he is eating OK.

Carol, both problems can be the result of any number of things or symptons of the same problem. Did the vet put him on medication for the heart murmur? The licking could be a newly acquired allergy, or it could be an imbalance of some sort, such as a vitamin deficiency. The sudden urination in the house, if not another symptom of the same problem, could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection, or something more serious. I am not trying to cause you any worry, just letting you know that it is very hard to diagnose a change in normal behavior online. I suggest you call the vet and speak with him/her about this. Something more appears to be going on than just the heart murmur and they need to be made aware of these new changes. Did the vet do a blood workup at the time of his last check up? If not, I think it would be a wise thing to do. Have them check all his organ functions, liver and kidney are the first thing that come to my mind. Whenever there is a change in your dogs normal behavior, especially as he ages, it is always wise to follow up with your vet.

I have to agree with RubyPitbull. Such behavior changes seems unlikely in an 8 year old without some physical problem. You can't train a physical problem away.