For many years my boy has had a bad habit of chewing his foot if left alone - it is his way of getting attention and my partner and I have learnt how to deal with it. If we make him wear a boot he does not chew his foot. However, recently, he has started chewing his hock on another leg and making it bleed. Whilst I am doing everything that I can to ensure it will not get affected his behaviour is starting to worry me. He doesn't show any signs of being in any sort of distress and these days he is barely left alone as I am now a stay at home "mum". Anyone any ideas as to why he may be doing this to himself and how I can hopefully put a stop to it. Thankfully I do not have a show until July but if he keeps up this behaviour his show career is more than definately over. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Sounds bad, poor thing. I'm sure someone will be able to give you more advice on curing the underlying cause but did you try using bitter apple spray on the foot?

Hello Cravemoor

I am curious as to what brought you to the conclusion that it was because he was being left alone? Have you always had him? At what age did this start? Does he do this all year or just before showtime?

KL

If you've ruled out any allergies etc.. then it's probably just an ingrained habit which gives him comfort even though he's making himself sore. If he's been doing it for years he's unlikely to want to stop now.
Distraction is the only preventative measure I can suggest if you are home with him. Try toys, chews, kong etc.. to keep him occupied. Other than that consider using a neck brace or an elizabethan collar when you are out or overnight.
You could try spraying the offending body part with a bitter spray but use that along with distraction or they can just aquire a taste for it.
Other than that you could try a hypoallergenic diet and see if that makes a difference.
Lara x

He has only just started on his hock in the last two weeks and he has only ever done it if he is on his own, he has chewed his foot since about 18 months of age (he's now 5) following a minor operation, again he only does that if left alone but we cope with that by putting a boot on him and then he leaves it. He doesn't suffer from any allergies, those that we know about we have dealt with. He also has toys and two other Mastiffs to keep him company and play with in addition to me and my partner. I swear he knows that if he chews a part of himself then the fact that the wound needs to be cleaned etc gets him more attention than the other two.

What minor operation did he have? Could it be possible that some tissue containing hair could have ingrown into the scar? If so this could cause discomfort which may have started the habit.
Just a thought!
Lara x