My dog has just developed ticklish spots over the past 2 weeks. Not sure how this has come about but you can't touch any part of his middle section without his body moving and the need for him to lift his back leg up to scratch. He has been bathed recently in case he had something on his skin or in his fur which was causing this. Sadly not.

How can i stop this reaction he has, as in the ring the judge wouldn't be able to get a good feel of him without him moving about.

I have tried keeping a bit of bait in his mouth while he is being gone over but even that doesn't stop him moving about.

It sounds like he is itchy, so you need to find the cause. :-) Easier said than done I know - have a think about things like changes in food, washing powders, floor cleaners, carpet cleaners, febreeze etc etc.

This is the thing, nothing has changed in his life at all.
Actually now i think about it we have moved onto a new dog shampoo - will try our Lab's anyti bacterial shmpoo to see if these changes anything.

He is on a BARF diet so that shouldn't be a problem - rules out one side of things me hopes.

Floor been cleaned with the same cleaner for the past 5yrs.
No carpet cleaners are used - should really get them cleaned..
Frebreeze is not used either.

It could be an allergy to something outside, either in your garden or when out walking. A mild non drowsy anti histamine might help, you could possibly try using an allergy cream on the area were most affected. I have also used garlic pills in the past with some success.
Some complete foods have been responsible for allergic reactions too.Is your dog actually scratching itself? or maybe your touch has . been very light on the dog instead of firmly stroking or placing the hands on.
Checking back to your original post, is  the dog eatiing well? Could it be a touch of abdominal tenderness, if we have a sore spot we tend to shrink away from it being touched don't we!

Hi suejaw

it sounds like a 'hot spot' to me - these can sometimes turn into a wet exzema so keep an eye on him and examine the general area regularly.  If it is a hot spot avoid excessive grooming as this will make things worse.

It is very probably only something he's reacting to in surroundings indoors or out which will suddenly spring to mind, but if not an allergic response then it can also be stress related.

Hopefully you'll establish the cause or the symptoms will pass without further concern to you or your lad :)

HTH meantime,
regards, Teri

Actually think its a bit more than a hotspot. He'll be off to the vets on monday and then will update from the outcome from that.

I hope it's something readily treatable Sue, fingers, toes, everything in the pretzel position that there's speedy relief ahead.

Please update when you can and try not to be over anxious meantime (easier said of course!)

good luck, Teri

Thanks Teri.

Hi!
Has anything about his life altered? Sometimes scratching can be a displacement activity caused by stress, could that be the cause? Is his coat still the same in the area that he is sensitive? Is it all lying the same way as it used to? Is it the same condition as the rest of his coat?It could even be related to a problem elsewhere. I think a definite vet visit as you are doing but then I would slowly and gently build up touching him in the area without him scratching.
Can I ask why you bath him so much? Bathing dogs too much (as I'm sure you know) can strip their skin and coats of their natural oils and make them lose not gain condition.

You might find that he needs to pay a visit to a chiropractor.This might sound strange,but one of my whippets occasionally does this & its a sure signthat he's tightened up in his shoulders or back.