How to Stop a Doberman From Licking Herself

A Doberman may be licking herself for either medical or behavioral reasons. She may be attending to an injury or sore spot on her body, or reacting to a new stress in her life. Sometimes Dobermans even lick themselves excessively out of boredom. Licking an area of skin until it becomes raw or bleeds can increase the possibility of experiencing infection. If your Doberman has started licking herself more than usual, you should determine the root of the problem and alleviate it.

Things You'll Need

  • T-shirt
  • Elizabethan collar
  • Flea medication
  • Antibiotics
  • Bandage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Run your hand against the grain of the Doberman's coat. Look for signs of a dirty coat, such as dust, hair or mud falling from it. The Doberman may be licking herself because of irritation caused by the dirt. Give the dog a bath, if necessary, and observe her behavior the next few days.

    • 2

      Inspect the Doberman for red or flaky skin, which can indicate a skin disorder. Mange, fleas, mites and other dermatological problems will cause the dog to lick her skin. Treat the dog with over-the-counter medication if signs of skin disorders are observed. Take the dog to a veterinarian if the skin problems persist.

    • 3

      Examine the dog for an open wound, especially where she is licking herself. The Doberman may be attempting to clean out a cut. Treat any cuts with antibiotics and bandages that are difficult for the dog to peel off, such as standard vet wrap.

    • 4

      Evaluate any changes to the dog's lifestyle that may be causing her stress. If no physiological problems can be found on the dog, the licking may be the result of behavior that is a response to stress, such as a new dog food, another dog introduced to the house or being left alone for long periods of time. Try to alleviate the source of stress, or slowly introduce any new changes. For example, if you have changed dog foods, mix in the old brand with the new dog food to introduce the change slowly.

    • 5

      Put a T-shirt or Elizabethan collar on the dog, if all else fails. Dobermans tend to tolerate a simple T-shirt better than most types of collars. Keep the T-shirt on for at least a week and then observe if the dog has stopped licking. If the Doberman continues to lick herself, consider taking her to a veterinarian.