Dog licking and scratching

[Simplemind]

Looking for a possible home remedy for a dog licking and scratching. It isn't fleas and it isn't over washing. We noticed it a while back and it slowly crept up on us as we are noticing the behavior more and more. I'm not totally convinced it isn't an energy releasing behavior. This dog is about as high strung as they come. During the good weather I would walk her 3 - 5 miles a day plus the boys would throw her a frisbee or hit tennis balls for her on top of that. She would spend the rest of the time crapped out next to our feet. With the weather change she is getting less exercise so I wonder if that is part of it. She also got to swim almost daily now she doesn't unless she gets loose and heads towards the creek for a quick dunk.

I swear she does it for something to do but of course I want to help her if it is something more. Has anybody with this problem tried vinegar rinses? Any suggestions?

[bunnys]

I think you hit the nail on the head. She needs more exercise--especially because she's so used to more exercise.

Walk her more often or run her on the bike. Or you could look into doggie day care on the days you know you can't get her out but I know that can be pricey.

I know I live in a milder climate than you do but I take my dog for a 1.5 hour walk daily. I have also started running again and she comes along with me. This dog is bad. She's sweet, but she's bad. The exercise calms her down. Period.

[puglogic]

Although my money's on the lack of activity too, you might also consider:
--putting her on a grain-free diet (switching my little dog over almost eliminated all his scratching and licking)
--have you changed any household cleaners lately, or had the carpet cleaned, or changed detergents?
--giving her a bath but just with a good quality holistic canine coat conditioner, not shampoo.
--having her checked out at the vet for allergies, mites, or other small parasites

Once she develops a hot spot somewhere, and she will eventually, it is a MISERABLE task to keep them off so they can heal (conehead e-collars, confinement, bitter apple sprays, and they just come back as soon as they get stressed out and start at themselves again) So it would be good to get a program in place now to get her more activity and definitely try to eliminate other causes.

Rescue Remedy might help too, as a temporary infrequent solution.

[Simplemind]

Thanks for the tips. I was wondering about the food. She doesn't have any hot spots and this has been going on for a couple of months. I wondered if it had anything to do with her fur. This dog sheds like crazy and even though we brush her daily I am still vacuuming a tank full of hair every day.

[fidgiegirl]

That makes sense about the shedding. Our Corky is shedding now and he's itchier than usual. Is she a thick coated breed? We find the furminator works well on him. He has a pretty thick coat, kind of like a chow chow coat.

[larknm]

This dog could be trying to calm herself, like thumbsucking in children. She may get overstimulated with so much walking in good weather, plus frisbee and ball on top of that. The activity dogs need to do most is sniff around at their own pace. They also need calming touch from their guardian, like the Tellington Method, which offers various calming touches dogs can really get into. I would try those changes before upping her activity, which could up the ALD (acral lick dermatitis).

Other simple calming methods can be found by googling Turid Rugaas, who has a lot of insight and practical approaches on her website, or looking at the book The Well-Adjusted Dog by Nicholas Dodman, the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University's Cummins School of Veterinary Medicine. Along with insight into causes of excessive self-licking, he also mentions approaches you can try, including medical ones like Valerian. Good luck with it.