How to Stop a Dog From Licking His Front Paw

There may be nothing more annoying then continually hearing and seeing your dog lick his front paws. Not only is it irritating, but it can cause your dog's paws to become sore, cause hair loss and create a foul smell. Excess paw licking can be caused by many things. Allergies, wounds, anxiety and boredom are all reasons why dogs lick their front paws. Stopping excessive paw licking is easier said than done. You must first figure out the cause of the problem and treat it accordingly.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog toys
  • Taste deterrent
  • Deterrent device
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Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your veterinarian. She will be able to test Fido for the most common allergies such as food and grass.

    • 2

      Exercise and play with your dog. Boredom and pent-up energy are a common reason for excessive licking. Play and walk him daily to burn off the energy. Afterward, he will be too tired to lick his paws and will just want to rest.

    • 3

      Apply a taste deterrent to the dog's paws. Taste deterrents have an unpleasant taste to them that most dogs do not like. Once applied to his paws, his excessive licking should come to a halt.

    • 4

      Purchase a deterrent device that your dog wears. Deterrents come in the form of cone collars that go around the dog's neck as well as boots that are attached to the dog's legs.

    • 5

      Lower stress levels in your dog's life. Just like humans, dog's can become anxious under stressful situations such as a new baby, moving and abuse. Spend time with your dog, talking to him in a calm manner while showing him love and affection.