Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

My one year old shih tzu is constantly chewing at her tail and one of her paws on her hind leg. It gets so gross that it becomes all slimy and wet. I try so many times to reprimand her when she is doing this. She just ignores me and keeps on doing it. I then find myself trying to play with her to keep her mind off the problem..it does not work all the time..

Is this an anxiety thing? She gets plenty of excersice. I don't get it.

I imay have to put her in some type of doggy session.. but the one my friend brings her dog to is 1500!! That's CRAZY to me..

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

she probably goes to best friends training and thats the price of a 2 week board and train session including your collar and lifetime classes. i don't really know of any other trainers that are that good but just wanted to make you not discouraged

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

My dog chews her front right paw and one of her back paws.. vet told me it was allergy related.... She bites her nails too.

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

Sandy does this & the vet says it allergies. I have some allery meds I give her when it gets bad.

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

I have 2 shih tzus...1 has no allergies..1 has very bad allergies at times...and she does chew her paws..maybe get your dog allergy tested because while that is the number 1 reason for paw chewing (in the reading I have done) its not the only reason...

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

Try spraying the paw with bitter apple spray. Daisy used to do that and once we sprayed her about 2-3 times, she learned not to do it.

It also makes their breath stink!

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

chews his butt, paws, nails legs, me.....

But when I say "dont you dare shew your paw" he immediately stops lol

As long as it doesnt become a hot spot

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

One of our dogs was doing the incessant chewing of her paws, then it spread to scratching her neck and rubbing her face on the carpet to itch too, and it turns out she has really bad environmental allergies (as in we have to take her to an allergist and she gets shots regularly now ).

Keep correcting the behavior - your dog may learn to control herself. Ours knows very well what we mean when we tell her to stop, and she generally does (at least for a few minutes until we're not looking ). They also make anti-itch sprays that you can put on her paws. You can get one at Petsmart or Petco and they're safe for animals to ingest just in case. And you can give benadryl and see if that helps, but I'd probably ask the vet first.

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

It's probably an allergy. What are you feeding her?

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

Re: Does or did anyone else's dogs do this??

It could also be food related. Shih Tzu's are so sensitive to everything. I noticed I gave them new treats and Sadler was doing it even more. Once I noticed it I stopped the treats and he stopped after a few days.

Sadler also has a black bear "bear" that he licks like mad. He just lays there and licks it. It's gross and slimey. None of my other dogs even go near it. Another reason why I think it may be anxiety. The bear comforts him for some strange reason.

Message edited 3/5/2009 4:35:30 PM.