Why does my dog chase his paw and bark? Is it obsessive behavior?

When dogs chew at their feet excessively it is usually due to allergies. The allergy is typically to something in the environment but could be due to an ingredient in the food. If infection is present, the Rexxy may need antibiotics. He would also benefit from an anti-itch medication such as Atopica, Apoquel, or Cytopoint. Your veterinarian can help determine which of these treatments will work best for Rexxy. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

I'm sorry to hear that Shanti is having these issues! Compulsive behavior disorders in dogs can often be successfully treated, but they generally require medication as well as a detailed behavior modification plan in order to make much headway - so I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate Shanti in person and help you put together a plan to address these issues. You can search for one in your area here: www.dacvb.org

The tuffed hair is interesting and the fact that he is restless. I would be suspicious of fleas, skin mites or perhaps allergies causing him to be itchy and that's why he won;t settle down. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian to get the most accurate and fastest diagnosis. They can also provide medication like Apoquel or Cytopoint to help with itching quickly. I hope this helps.

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Oso. The biggest issue here is whether this is a physical problem that is just not obvious to you, or is it some sort of behavioral problem, possibly even some type of petit seizure. You will need to get your veterinarian involved in order to rule out a medical problem or something other going on. An x-ray or a trial of anti-inflammatory medication would be a good place to start, but only time will tell. Hope all is well soon. take care.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Riki. I would consider asking his veterinarian about a medication trial on him as he seems to be displaying signs of a compulsive disorder. If he is injuring himself or exhausting himself by this behavior, that is not normal. If his veterinarian is not comfortable prescribing psychotropic drugs, then he may need to see a veterinary behaviorist. I hope this information helps!

Dogs may chew on their feet for a number of reasons. The most common of these is underlying allergies to either environmental or food allergens. Nearly anything can cause an allergic response, and these reactions in dogs typically lead to itching, which often manifests as chewing on or licking the feet. Other causes of foot chewing include foreign material in the paw pads or nail beds, infection in the skin or pads of the feet, problems with the toenails, pain, or obsessive behavioral issues. A trip to the veterinarian is best in order to examine your dog’s feet, perform any necessary diagnostic tests, and determine the best course of treatment. Allergy management strategies, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or anxiety medication may be needed to help get your dog’s foot chewing under control. Finally, I suggest you check out [this article](https://www.petcoach.co/article/most-common-reasons-why-dogs-chew-their-paws/) for additional information about this common behavior.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Crash. If he comes inside licking the paw, I worry about an insect bite or sting or something stuck in his paw such as a piece of plant material like you mentioned. If he is just holding the leg up, the pain could be from higher up in the limb. He could have been excited at the veterinary appointment which allows the adrenaline to over ride the pain he is likely experiencing at home. Is it always the same leg? Some puppies will experience lameness that shifts legs as they grow. If no pain was found in his leg, he could be experiencing neck pain. This can radiate down the leg causes referred pain. If it continues, he should be re-evaluated and may need x-rays to determine the cause of his pain. I hope this information helps!