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chew toy instead of licking paws? need your opinion on this training idea (janetmichel3009)

Posted : 4/28/2008 5:40:02 AM

so having a cocker spaniel, and was likely bred by what you guys would call a BYB, i deal with skin infections a lot. particularily with yeast infections between the toes. now i FINALLY found a good cream that works VERY well. but of course that's no cure.

anyways, so with this type of infection, you're supposed to keep the skin completely dry. and of course the dog, being uncomfortable, likes to lick the effected area. now until now, all i did, when i caught her licking, i would just tell her no, and she would stop, but eventually she starts again.

now, i had this idea: what if i deal with this, the same way, you deal with inappropriate chewing with a puppy? everytime she licks her paws, i'd tell her no, then give her a chew toy instead...

what do you guys think? i'll definately try it, since it cant hurt. but i just wanted to get your guys opinion. what do you think? could this be effective? what other techniques would YOU use in this situation?

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/28/2008 2:55:06 PM

If the dog has allergies it's the histamines that 'tingle' in the top of the skin which is what makes them lick. I know you are in China and in some places in Europe and Asia homeopathics are quite popular -- apis is quite a help.

Also - and I can look up the Chinese 'name' later if you want, but Billy takes "Subdue the Dampness" and "Five Flavor" REALLY often when he starts to 'break out'.

A probiotic might also help with the yeasty areas if you can get hold of one.

But yes, definitely -- any training thing you can do to distract can help. Just massaging the paws can also help - they DO itch (trust me -- got a buffy coat cocker myself who gets the paw itchies!!)

janetmichel3009

Posted : 4/28/2008 9:30:12 PM

ah, yes, callie! i knew you could relate! haha....

well right now, it's actually really good. as i said i had trouble for a while finding something that works, but finally am using a topical cream and it works wonders!!! (i did try others before with limited success!) first time in months her fur is growing thick again (and yes, i'm keeping it shaved!) and her skin isnt black anymore... that's how bad it was at one point!

it's just... i have this suspition: that she got USED to licking her paws.... just something she likes doing now... at least i think.... ergh...

but, callie: if you have any chinese herbs that help with the ear infections, now THAT i could need. i'm in using about the 10th product right now (a powder, this time) and still only limited success....

sigh... for the love of cocker... ;)

cakana

Posted : 4/28/2008 9:37:19 PM

I won't argue with the point that the licking could become a habit, but having had a dog with allergies and chronic licking of the paws, I wouldn't assume that it's not still an allergic reaction. Once we got Sassy's allergies under control, she's never, ever licked her paws again and it used to be so chronic that I couldn't sleep at night because I was always trying to distract her. If you can distract her in the longterm with a chew toy, then maybe it is a boredom issue though, so it's worth a try.

janetmichel3009

Posted : 4/28/2008 9:52:50 PM

i agree that it could be allergies. the vet said that things like this are most likely allergies to something in the air or in her environment. but no such thing as allergy tests here, so we did a few trial and error runs with different foods. nothing showed...

i do have a mold problem in my house, and i have a suspicion that that's coming into play. but i have no choice but to hang on just a few more months... (long story..)