We went for a walk in the countryside this afternoon and she has been acting quite strange since this evening.
She is constantly licking and cleaning her paws, and whenever she lies down, she gets straight back up to move somewhere else – she has done this several times in a row.
It seems like something is bothering her. I have checked her paws, but she is still at it...
Could anyone shed some light on this behaviour?
Best regards.
Translated from French
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Hi there, I’m getting back to you because my two dogs have the same thing your dog had years ago... I was wondering if you ever found a solution?? Thanks!
Big kisses to Dream, Nebbia and Muna, I think. If he'd stepped in something, it would definitely still smell – and I'm not just talking about poo. Have you been to the vet yet?
gigi
Ever since he was a puppy, Champagne has nibbled one of his back paws—always the same one—and he’s still doing it now he’s grown up. The vet and the groomer can’t see anything wrong. For about the last couple of months or so (he’s two now), he’s actually started putting his other paw right in his mouth and gnawing on it. I’ve checked with a magnifying glass, felt all over, and looked for ticks, bits of broken glass, or fleas, but there’s absolutely nothing. Could it be a bit of OCD? He’s got plenty of toys he could chew on, but no, he goes for his paws. Or maybe a nutritional deficiency?
gigi
No, it’s not necessarily immediate: sometimes you hurt yourself but don't feel it in the heat of the moment; you only start to feel it once you’ve cooled down (like when you get an injury, twist an ankle, or get a bit stiff... XD).
For instance, I remember one summer my dog cut nearly all his pads messing about with a mate on a mix of oyster shells and sharp stones, and he wasn’t even limping! o_O
However, as soon as he settled down, he’d lick his pads a bit because it must have been stinging (especially right after, with the seawater, before I cleaned his paws to disinfect them :p).
So definitely try to check her paws: see if there’s a cut, a thorn, or if it seems to hurt when you move the leg...
Mind you, I don't know how old she is or how long her usual walks are, but maybe she’s just got some muscle stiffness? 🤷
Is she still at it, or has she stopped now?
If your dog knows how to 'give paw', start by asking for the one that doesn't seem to be causing any trouble. Try to gradually increase the amount of time you hold their paw in your hand so you can have a proper feel of it.
Normally, we reward the dog for the act of giving their paw, rather than for letting us keep hold of it. In this case, try to focus on the duration so you can examine it properly. Then ask for the sore one and have a look. The issue seems medical, and it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain is on a paw.
It’s a real sign of trust, and can be quite stressful for a dog to let a human handle a paw that’s hurting. This is where the 'give paw' trick really comes in handy.
Alternatively, if she likes being on her back, wait until she’s calm and give her a good belly rub, then take the opportunity to have a proper look. It could be something as small as a tiny splinter.
