If your dog is constantly licking, biting and chewing herself or pulling her fur out, the first thing to do is visit your veterinarian. These are often signs of health conditions that need medical attention. Pain and discomfort from more serious problems, as well as from minor skin conditions, can cause a dog to chew herself, so please, do not try to diagnose the problem yourself. See your vet.
Usually when the ailment troubling your dog goes away, so does the self mutilating behavior. Sometimes the behavior continues as a habit even though the health problem is long gone.
Many dogs have excess nervous energy and no where to vent the stress, so they develop a habit or pastime of licking themselves raw. Other dogs actually learn this behavior because their owners make such a fuss over them whenever they indulge in such activities. It doesn't take long for Rover to realize this is quick and easy way to gain instant attention and affection.
The key to stopping this self mutilation habit is distraction - giving the dog something else to do and not unintentionally rewarding the dog. First, be sure to provide your dog with plenty of opportunity to run, play, exercise and vent her energy. A well exercised, trained and happy dog is not likely to have to relieve stress or entertain herself by self mutilation.
Whenever the dog begins to lick or chew herself, try making a very short, sharp, loud sound just enough to startle the dog into stopping and looking around to see what happened. After the dog has stopped for some period of time, just a few minutes or several seconds, depending on how severe the problem is then call her over to play a game, do some training or even get a massage.
Realize that this habit is often just as hard for a dog to stop as it is for humans to stop habits such as fingernail biting or cigarette smoking, so please be patient and keep trying.
The key to stopping this habit is 1) redirecting your dog's energy, 2) distraction and 3) not rewarding the behavior
2006-08-10 09:43:52
·
answer #1
·
answered by halfpint 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Go to the vet. It can still be food allergy, they are allergic to the proteins, usually a novel protein source is used to see if it alleviates the condition, however, this takes around 6 weeks to see a result. They can develop an immunological response to foods after eating it only once.
It could be a mange or other parasitic irritation or there could be something environmental such as the cleaners you use or a specific grass at the park that triggers the problem.
The only way to find out is to consult a vet, preferably one who specialises in dermatology.
2006-08-10 01:58:06
·
answer #2
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
How long have you had max? Did you get him with your husband? Max could be very upset and sad about the split. Becasue if he has no food allergy then maybe it's becasue he is sad. I guess just try to give him extra attention and special treats. If it does not clear up and he stops then maybe you should take him to the vet. Good Luck
2006-08-10 01:18:07
·
answer #3
·
answered by sarah 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
in case you have 3 canines did you verify the different 2 to make helpful they have not got any on them? even one or 2 fleas can at last upload as much as hundreds and if your different canines have them then they might basically be passing them directly to her. or.....it must be what my vet a protracted time in the past referred to as flea anemia that's a condition one in all my labs had the place even nevertheless we gave him flea baths oftentimes and keept our domicile flea information he stikeptratched like he had fleas .the vet mentioned it may happen greater contained in the warm summer season time because of the fact his epidermis is sweating and any sort of itch could reason the dogs to sense like he has fleas , consequently making him scratch and chew the hair off his epidermis (contained in a similar section you're speaking of ) . anyhow my dad had to leave them in the back of for katrina and he have been given picked up by utilising this rescue groupe from colorado (whilst we've been given him back he replaced into totaly cured of this situation so i asked the medical institution there what they taken care of him with and that they mentioned they used the scientific look after mange on him . it unquestionably restored his hair and he regarded way fit :) sorry for the long tale wish this helps :) solid success :)
2016-09-29 02:58:54
·
answer #4
·
answered by shimp 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
You can try eczema creams. My dog had the same problem. If eczema creams and shampoos don't work, consult a vet. The dog may also have mites. Sometimes that's curable but only a vet can do that. Good luck!
2006-08-09 22:15:29
·
answer #5
·
answered by curious_boricua_soul 5
·
0⤊
0⤋
my dog has psoriasis and has to have a special lotion and shampoo......the vet gave me the special lotions, etc. after examining him. He was doing the same thing as your dog. I even have some hydrocortisone (pet) spray that is useful for problem areas that continue to itch. The dog can also be depressed...they do act out if they are angry, sad, etc......separation anxiety......good luck
2006-08-09 22:08:01
·
answer #6
·
answered by cornerstonefaith1 3
·
1⤊
0⤋
that can be a sign of food allergy ... check with the vet.
or change the food to see if he stops.
or if you already change the food return to the old one.
2006-08-09 22:24:15
·
answer #7
·
answered by starvoyager8 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
he might have a skin infection. try putting something around his head to stop him
2006-08-09 22:29:35
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
go to the vet
2006-08-09 22:09:34
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
might be stress
2006-08-10 04:00:56
·
answer #10
·
answered by kitttkat2001 5
·
0⤊
0⤋