Hi everyone, I'm a newbie but have been reading and learning from you all for some months now so thanks! I wonder if I could ask your advice on my year old Mini-Schnauzer's paw licking. He started a couple of mionths ago, and his front left paw and beard are quite pink now from continual licking. I've seen the vet twice now and he's convinced it's now a habit, and the only way to stop it is to keep it covered, which is easier said than done in his case! Last time we went I got him to check his anal glands as I'd heard that could be the problem, one side needed emptying but that was 2 weeks ago and it hasn't changed the paw licking. He's fed Naturediet plus has Nutro lamb and rice, there's been no change in diet. If it is just habit now any advice on stopping him would be very gratefully received!

Socks?  When my dog had a claw removed and her paw was bandaged I tied a sock on over the bandage to stop her picking at it.

Hi Claire! Welcome!

Aw bless poor little licky monster! Yes very likely now its habit. You seem unsure as to the cause, I take yourself and your vet never got to the bottom of it? (no pun intended there after your anal gland comment!)
  The 'possible' causes would make a looong list but the those at the top would be Stress,boredom,inactivity, Parasite,injury (dysplasia commonly has licking as a sign) contact Allergy (lesser so food allergy) forgeign object stuck in paw (grass seed a main culprit as they burrow in and migrate!)
  Anyhoooo dealing with the 'habit' yes covering is difficult, Have you tried Baby cotton socks and securing them with Micropore tape at the top (across the sock not the dogs fur) to be honest though...I think this just gives the dog something else to stress about and keep nibbling.
      I would try to divert his attention, when he starts to lick make a noise fairly sharp to get his attention (but not to alarm or scold!) Once his attention is away from his licking for 3-4 secs reward him tasty treat (smellier the better,yummy! little bit of liver cake or frankfurter) and just keep working on this making the time longer and  longer to treat.
    You will have to be consistent to break the habit and it take constant work but will make life soooo much better especially for poor little Schnaunzy! Rome wont be built in a day so be patient think of how hard it is for us to break habits (says the still trying to give up smoker!! ;) ) and if he carries on it could lead to him getting sores (Lick Granulomas)
    A bit  more activity will help too, keep him busy, have some games, get him some treat balls to push around, and make sure he's getting out enough.
Im sure others will be along shortly with more tips!
HTH good luck, let us know how your getting on :D

Hi and welcome

Where abouts is he licking? Mine kept licking his paw and I couldnt figure it out but when I had a good look I noticed that he had a slight split in his claw right where it grows out of his paw. Other than the licking it didnt seem to bother him so I guess he was trying to keep it clean. It soon grew out. Check that this isnt the case with your boy.

Hope this helps
Caroline x

Many thanks for your replies Cheryl, Huskygal and Caroline. Yes, I have tried socks but he's always managed to get them off but will try again with a baby one and some tape. I don't think it's boredom/inactivity as he has 3 good walks a day and when he is left I leave plenty to occupy him in the way of kongs and toys. His routine hasn't changed regarding the amount of time he's left either. The vet spent a good 10 minutes last time checking his paw for the slightest thing that could be troubling him but could find nothing. I will persevere as you suggest with reward for not licking, he sleeps in his crate in the kitchen and most mornings his paw is soaked when I come down to him first thing, as it was this morning. He hasn't touched it since which suggests he doesn't like being alone? As I said his routine hasn't changed though, he's always slept apart from us. Thanks again for the advice, I'm hoping it's not an allergy as I understand that can take forever to get to the bottom of. Someone suggested an allergy to housedust mite in which case I've no chance of curing it!!!

I had a dog like this -he did it for 3 years and eventually did all his leg. There was nothing wrong with him. In the end how I finally solved it was with lots of extra exercise and above all things to do like obedience training. He didn't have time to be bored then and his leg finally healed up. :) Nothing else worked, not collars or boots or nasty tasting sprays or anything whatsoever.

Thanks Goldmali, Dex is the first 'only' dog we've had for many years having always had at least two. We're planning on a second this year so hopefully he won't be bored then. Meanwhile, I'll try upping his exercise - may get rid of some Christmas pounds for me too! We attend training once a week and practice at home so hopefully he's being kept mentally stimulated, I just hate to think of him chewing away at his paw from stress or frustration and not knowing why. Thanks again

Our foot licking was due to diet- he was on Hill Science plan for about 9 months before it started -
a food trial stopped it totally- if all else fails it might be worth bearing in mind