Milo keeps licking his forelegs
He doesn't have any skin problems and is not chewing at himself thankfully. It in fact seems more of an unconscious activity than anything else. Should we be attempting to curb this behavior or just let it be? I don't remember him doing this when we first got him, but my Father actually fostered him for a year after we rescued him. |
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| Maybe just a habit.
Pepsi does this too. But he doesn't like when his coat gets past a certain length and licks his legs thinking it will make the hair go away. He does this obsessively until he gets a haircut. |
| I would try and curb it. When Chummie does it, I think it is a sign of anxiety or boredom. Perhaps substitute a longlasting treat like a stuffed kong or bully stick? |
Valerie wrote: I would try and curb it. When Chummie does it, I think it is a sign of anxiety or boredom. Perhaps substitute a longlasting treat like a stuffed kong or bully stick?
I may have to try the bully stick. Milo is a bit interesting, he isn't a toy dog. Its like he never really learned to play with them as a puppy, so I don't know if a kong would go over well. As a rescue we aren't very certain of his past other than the neglect he suffered right before we rescued him. But based on his demeanor I would guess it is boredom, as he is super social and wants to go everywhere with us. |
| Chum doesn't like toys either. The kong is only interesting when stuffed with food and treats. Good luck! |
| It's usually a comforting or boredom problem if not associated with any kind of skin problem.
I had one that would suck her paw like a pacifier and it turned it lovely orange brown in colour. 
I put socks on her to break the habit and sprayed the outside of the sock with bitter apple so she would not try to lick or remove the socks. 
Also gave her soft toys to suck while she was laying there, that or a hard bikkie to keep her occupied. Took awhile, but we broke the habit.  |
| What about a potential arthritis problem in the wrist(s)? |
Norman used to do this due to allergies. When we got that under control, he started doing it due to joint problems/age. When that was okay, he had done it for so long that he just seemed to do it out of habit. 
Take the same stance as you would for nipping. Verbal correction and redirection. Tell him no and then give him something appropriate to work on. Maybe he needs one of those ICubes or whatever they are called. It's a toy that they have to work to get the balls out of. It would keep his mind active and give him something to focus on. I think there's another version that looks like a tree and the little toys inside are squirrels. |
Ron wrote: What about a potential arthritis problem in the wrist(s)?
No, the only area that I worry about is his hips. I unfortunately think he was kicked in his former life. The Sheltie he was rescued with ended up requiring surgery on his hips and the vet wasn't sure if it was due to injures from the other dogs or humans. I am trying the verbal correction now, its just hard because I know is Mom isn't as regular with it as I am. The bad thing is I only see him on weekends (it sucks being employed in 2 different cities). But I have a feeling socks and sour spray will be what we need. |
| I got Obe the tree and chipmunks and he loves it. Now sometimes I put a treat inside hidden with chipmunks and it will drive him crazy until he gets it out. I also found a ball that you can put food/treats in. As they roll it around the treats fall out from time to time(inside is a maze). This will keep him occupied until the treats are gone or I take it away from him. |
| Definitely curb the behavior because it can lead to hotspots. Hannah used to do this all of the time and had problems with hotspots. Bestdogsx4 recommended Willards Water. Well when I caught Hannah licking I put Willard water on the area and she hasn't bothered it since. It's a miracle. I'm Not jinxing myself, I'm not. |
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