Bringing a puppy home is often an exciting day for many people as they add a new furry, four-legged friend to their family. While puppies can bring lots of fun and joy to a home, some develop bad habits or problems such as chewing on their legs. To prevent sores or infections, owners need to address this behavior by learning how to get a puppy to stop chewing on its legs.
Instructions
Play with the puppy. Toss around his toys, play tug of war or take him for a walk. You may find that your puppy chews on his legs simply out of boredom.
Purchase chew toys and rawhides. Understand that chewing is a stage of the puppy's development. Each time you see the puppy chewing on his legs, tell him, "No," and give him a rawhide or chew toy.
Bathe the puppy. Spend 15 to 20 minutes giving your puppy a bath using puppy shampoo and conditioner. Gently scrub the shampoo into the hair and down to the skin on the puppy's legs as well as the rest of his body. This removes dirt and debris in the hair that may be acting as an irritant and causing the puppy to chew his legs.
Some dogs are allergic to ingredients found in certain shampoos. If your puppy continues to chew on his legs after a bath, try a different shampoo. Purchase a hypoallergenic shampoo made specifically for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
Change his diet. Purchase a different type of dog food from your local pet store to see if your dog may be allergic to his food. Dogs manifest their allergies by itching or scratching. Look for dog food designed for sensitive skin or one with mostly natural ingredients.
Minimize stress. Chewing on his legs may be your puppy's response to stress. Create a schedule for your puppy and stick to it as much as possible. Establish a bed or blanket specifically for the puppy and teach the puppy it's his space. Inform residents and visitors of your home that the space is for the puppy and when the puppy's in his space, he wants to be left alone.
Use a cone collar on the puppy to prevent him from chewing his legs if they are visibly irritated or open sores have developed. Keep the cone collar on until the legs have healed completely, since the puppy may want to scratch or chew at them when they are itching during the healing process.
Consult your vet. Go through what food (even treats) you feed your puppy, his schedule or routine and what products have been applied to his skin or what he comes in contact with on a regular basis. This will help the vet make the proper diagnosis. Medications may be required if the vet determines the puppy is allergic to something specific, such as dust or pollen.