Hi,

Any idea why my bitch does this (18 months) - it seems to be like a 'thumb' substitute?

Thanks

Some dogs sort of lick and clean their feet in a halfhearted way just before they sleep and would think this is what she is doing. Sleeping with the head on the feet is normal and only a small step to actually having the paw in the mouth. However some breeds seem to have an obsession with licking the feet to the extent of causing permanent skin damage so if she is licking at her feet all the time it would be worth speaking to the vet about it, have seen it a good deal in Labs but would think other breeds will also do it. It is said to be caused by boredom but I think there may be some discomfort or pain that starts it and it then becomes a habit.

Our English Pointer was excessive at licking/lightly chewing her paws.  We read it could be allergies.  After talking with our vet, it seems it is likely to be allergies.  Our pup was given medicine for an injury and the vet told us if the licking was due to allergies (inhaled), the medicine would help that also.  The excessive licking of the paws stopped with the first dose.

Crazy...an inhaled allergy could cause paw licking.

Our vet also said the behavior can become habit forming.

Dear Both

Yes, she does lick her paws on occassions, but not excessively so!  The interesting point is that sometimes she sleeps laying on her back with paws in the air and still sleeps with a paw clasped between her teeth!!!

Karen.

My Penny does this, she is a 3 year old lab. I am sure this is through boredom, she also bites her nails, again I would say this is through boredom. and yes when lying on her back she (sucks her thumb). Penny started this around the age of 14/15 months and when she was hip scored we discovered she had arthritis and HD. She does not play much and tends to suck her comfort blanket. There is no excessive licking. I have put this down to the fact that she cannot play as much a my other labs (who do not do this) and liken it to a child who bites their nails and sucks their thumbs. Boredom and comfort are factors in Penny's case. As there is no excessive biting or licking I have not stopped this behaviour. She has never licked or biten enough to damage herself. ie she had never had hair loss or sores. It has not affected her behaviour and in every other sense she is a typical lab.
There may be another reason why your dog is doing this, but as she is not damaging herself, I would not worry about it too much.

Kay

when my mutt crashes for the night she puts both paws over her head like three monkey`s style...very funny to see!