Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. You need to take it to your vet for an examination to establish what is causing the problem. It could be due to pain, allergies, parasites, dermatitis or foreign body in the paw. Treatment will vary depending upon the diagnosis.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

As with other dog behaviors, there can be several reasons that lead dogs to lick or chew their paws. These include injuries; skin problems; environmental, parasite, or food allergies; and boredom or anxiety.
A lick granuloma (also known as acral lick dermatitis) is a skin condition that occurs due to distress in your dog. This distress can be flared up by stress, anxiety, or boredom. When your dog is stressed, they will start to lick a patch of their skin over and over until it becomes raw.
Many times, the poor dog licks/chews the wound because his skin is itchy. In such a case, the dog can be helped with some products meant to relieve itching. Your vet may prescribe a product such as diphenhydramine (plain Benadryl), a cortisone-based spray, medicated shampoo, or even steroids for severe cases.
Should I cover a lick granuloma? If you cover the lick granuloma, your dog may start licking another spot and cause a secondary granuloma. But once you start treating the wound, you`ll want to cover it to protect the remedy. You can apply a light, non-stick bandage over the wound, taking care not to make it too tight.
Is petroleum jelly safe for dog paws? Yes! We recommend a paw balm such as Paw Soother or Musher`s Secret, but if you need something in a pinch, petroleum jelly works just fine.
A torn foot pad does not hold stitches well, so cuts and punctures take longer to heal. Walking on the injured foot often opens up the wound and further delays healing. And if infection sets in, your dog may end up with more than just foot problems.
Not only can licking wounds lead to infections, it can also cause irritation and damage to the surrounding tissues and the wound area. This, in turn, can lead to delayed healing and potentially even increase the size of the wound. In some cases, dogs lick at their wounds so much they reopen wounds that are healing.
If using Vetwrap, pull a long piece off the roll, and cut it and then wrap the foot. This will prevent the Vetwrap from being applied too tightly. A dog sock can be used to protect the bandage or paw while inside the house. Socks also keep dogs from biting or licking their paw.
Antibiotics. The main concern with this condition is secondary bacterial folliculitis and furunculosis. Resolution often requires two to three months (or longer) of oral antibiotic therapy.
In dogs, most granulomatous or pyogranulomatous skin lesions appear as papules, nodules, and/or plaques. The lesions may be solitary or multiple, and localized or generalized. They also can be alopecic or haired, and ulcerated, firm or fluctuant, and can vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters (4,5).
A lick granuloma, also known as acral lick dermatitis, occurs when a dog obsessively licks at an area, often on a lower limb, most commonly the wrist or carpal joint of the front limb. These dogs find a spot to lick and start a cycle of self-trauma, inflammation, and infection.
Even if the dog continues wearing the Elizabethan collar for the recommended two weeks, some dogs are still able to reach their foot or hind leg to lick and chew.
Pododermatitis refers to the inflammation of the skin on the paw pads of your dog. It is a common skin problem that can affect one or more of your dog`s paws. It usually targets the paw pads, nails, nail folds, and interdigital space or the skin area between the toes and the paw pads.
Other reasons for a swollen paws are constant licking and chewing of paw, a broken toe or nail, allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, tumors or heart problems. It`s important to visit your veterinarian if you notice your dog in pain or that they have a swollen paw.
While Vaseline is technically non-toxic for dogs, it does not mean it is 100% safe. If over-ingested (and they will lick) it can cause an upset stomach, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea. Vaseline forms a barrier over your dog`s skin trapping in toxins, dirt and bacteria.
Coconut Oil Helps to Heal Your Dog`s Skin Wounds

For a dog that has a wound on its skin, applying coconut oil will help the healing process as well as prevent further inflammation and infections, according to several animal studies.

Paw pads can take anywhere from 14 to 21 days to heal, but it depends on the wound and the reason for the bleeding. Deeper punctures will take longer to heal than cracked, dry paw pads and may require your dog to take it easy for a few days so as to not put too much pressure on the paw.
Healthy dogs should be able to grow new cells easily. But because paw pads are made up of tough keratinized epithelium the healing process can take up to three weeks.
To heal scabs fast on a dog, clean the area with warm water and mild soap. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, then cover with a sterile bandage. Avoid letting your dog lick the scab. Monitor for signs of infection, and consult your veterinarian if the scab doesn`t heal within a week.
Should I let my dog lick my feet? Licking feet may seem disgusting to you, but providing that your feet are healthy, you don`t have any open wounds or haven`t applied any medications that could be poisonous to your dog, such as psoriasis creams, then there is no harm in letting your dog lick your feet.
Foreign Bodies, Cuts, and Sores

This type of limp also comes on suddenly and tends to get a little worse as inflammation and possible infection set in. If your dog is suddenly limping and licking his paw, it`s likely that a foreign body, cut, or abrasion is to blame, reach out to your vet for an investigation.

Dog saliva is antibacterial, but it probably won`t heal wounds. Dogs often lick their wounds in order to clean them.
However, it is well known and widespread that saliva has a beneficial effect on wound healing. Not only does it create a moist wound environment, but it also contains growth factors, leucocyte protease inhibitors and histamine, which is a potent booster of cell migration.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Why does a dogs pads on his paws turn such a pink color?
ANSWER : A. I’m confused here. Are your dogs paw pads typically black, but they turn a reddish pink? You may want to see your veterinarian about this to make sure there isn’t anything wrong with his paw pads. I’ve met dogs who have extremely fragile paw pads due to some bad genetics.. they end up getting injured on their paws very easily. I’ve met dogs who are unable to even walk on cement without wearing little doggy booties. It could be that your dog is dealing with some serious discomfort, and you want to get that checked out immediately.

If your dogs paw pads just seem a little bit irritated, you may want to try something like “Musher’s Secret” on them. This is an ointment that you rub on your dogs paw pads to keep them healthy, and smooth. I use this in the winter when there is rock salt all over the ground.. it keeps her paw pads from getting irritated and tearing open. It’s like lotioning your skin to keep it from getting dry and cracked. If you think your dog is dealing with something that is a little more extreme than just some dry irritated paw pads, then see your vet immediately instead of purchasing the Musher’s Secret.

Read Full Q/A … : Discolored Pads in Dogs

Q. How do I get my dog to stop chewing on things? I kennel her when I leave for a few hours, but I can’t go to the mailbox without her eating something.
ANSWER : A. If she’s young, then this is just normal puppy behavior. Don’t worry about it. The thing about puppies is, they explore using their mouths. If your puppy grabs a coat hanger, or a slipper, you should roll up a newspaper, and smack yourself on the head with it for leaving those things out.. your puppy is going to explore things, that’s normal! It is 100% up to YOU to keep those things away from your puppy when your puppy is unsupervised… even for just a moment.

Remember to never scold your puppy for grabbing these things. They are just curious little cuties, and they don’t chew things up to bother us.. Dogs do not have intentional thought, so they aren’t ever doing anything ON PURPOSE to us.. The most important thing you can do when your puppy is chewing something you don’t want her to be chewing is TRADE her the inappropriate item with a toy of hers, so she understands “no honey, that isn’t what puppies chew on… THIS is what puppies chew on!” and then begin playing with her using her toy to show her that TOYS ARE FUN.. Way more fun than a boring ol’ coat hanger.

Another helpful thing you can do is have two bags of toys. In each bag is many different kinds of toys. Lots of chew toys, lots of soft squeaky toys, lots of rope-type toys, a bunch of balls.. All kinds of things! For one week you have bag#1’s toys out for your puppy to play with.. At the end of the one week, you collect those toys, and you bring out bag#2! The toys will be more interesting/feel like new to your puppy, which will in-turn, make her chew less inappropriate things. Her toys are too fun to care about that dumb Wii-mote that you left laying around.

Hope this helps!

Read Full Q/A … : Stop Dog Chewing – Put A Stop To Your Dog's Or Puppy's …

Q. What would make my ten year old male chow bite me while correcting his behavior? He was chewing at his paw and I told him no and to stop licking,
ANSWER : A. Often times when dogs become fixated at chewing or licking themselves they can become irritated if we intervene in their actions, especially if the paw is painful and your dog is trying to soothe himself. I would recommend placing a cone on him to prevent him from chewing the paw. If this behavior continues, it is important to have him seen by a veterinarian as the paw may be injured.

Read Full Q/A … : Aggressive Puppy

Q. My yorkie is now a year and 5 months and he still likes to chew up everything he can get his paws on. Why is this?
ANSWER : A. It sounds as though he was never properly trained NOT to chew things. Do not let your dog out unattended as he cannot be trusted not to chew things. These behaviors can lead to medical problems such as an obstruction. Make sure you provide him with plenty of fun toys. Also buy him bones, bully sticks, or kong toys that you can fill with peanut butter to make them more rewarding. Do not let him out of your sight when he is loose. Reprimand him if he picks up something that is yours by saying “NO”, then redirect his attention to his own toy, if he begins chewing it praise and give him treats.

Read Full Q/A … : All About Yorkshire Terriers, Yorkies, , training, care …

Q. Red paws. Biting nails/ toes constantly. 6 yr border collie/ aussie mix. Diet brown rice/ lamb nutro balance changed 3 mo ago. Problem x 1 yr s
ANSWER : A. It is possible that your collie may have a yeast infection or other skin infection between the toes caused by her chewing at the area. You may also see that the paws are wet or have a “corn chip” smell to them (indicating yeast). It is best to prevent her from chewing or licking her feet as this can introduce more bacteria into the area and make symptoms worse. An Elizabethan (cone) collar is best for this. If you see signs of infection, it is best to bring her into your vet, who may recommend antibiotics or antifungals to treat any underlying infections. An allergy medication may also be helpful to stop the original cause of her attempting to lick or chew at the spot. Some dogs may also get into a repetitive behavior of licking even when the infection is cleared up, so breaking the habit with the use of an Elizabethan collar to prevent the behavior may help stop the cycle.

Read Full Q/A … : Vetinfo

Q. My 6 month lab is mouthing too much and it even mouths my hands and legs
ANSWER : A. Puppies chew out of boredom, when playing and during teething. As an owner, it is up to you to teach what is appropriate chewing and what is not. Always provide appropriate chew toys for your breed/size of dog. Correct him/her when chewing inappropriately (either the wrong item or too rough). Praise and reward your pup when he/she chews appropriately. If he/she gets too riled up during play, avoid those actions that bring it to that point. A trainer can assist you in teaching the “No bite” command and other basic commands.

Read Full Q/A … : Labrador Retriever Behavior Problems: Biting and Mouthing

Q. My 8 month old puppy is chewing off her hair. She does not chew to the point of raw skin, only the hair. Any ideas?
ANSWER : A. I’d agree with the answer below, and I’d add that with a puppy as young as yours the most common cause of chewing is external parasites and fungal disease. It’s important to realize that almost always, chewing is caused by being itchy. It’s essentially a way that dogs scratch.

The first thing to do is to rule out parasites. Even if you don’t see fleas, treat her for fleas. Use a good product like Frontline – it’s easy to apply (avoid the hairless areas, it should be placed between the shoulderblades. You should also consider that your dog might be getting bitten by mosquitos – a common problem in thin-skinned dogs, and depending on where you live they can still be a problem this time of year.

Your vet also needs to perform a scraping of the skin to rule out mites. And again…even if no mites are found, I would recommend treating for them. They are almost as common as fleas in puppies, and depending on her recent situation (rescued from a shelter?) stress can depress the immune system and cause a mite infestation to take hold.

And finally, ringworm, which is actually a fungal disease, should be ruled out. It’s also almost universally related to conditions, like overcrowded shelters, but it does happen and puppies are more susceptible.

One more note: allergies are possible, but other things are probably more likely at this point. If your vet doesn’t know what to do, I would recommend looking for someone who does.

Read Full Q/A … : 7-to-12-Month-Old Puppy: What to Expect – Dogster

Q. King Charles 6months old chewing leather sofa in front of us we use the word leave it he does we treat him then he does the same over over again help
ANSWER : A. You may inadvertently be rewarding his behavior by treating him after he has started chewing. I would provide chew toys with food in them to attract him and to distract him by using throw toys before or as soon as he starts chewing. A bitter spray suitable for training puppies may also put him off but be careful it does not stain

Read Full Q/A … : Google Drive's New Backup Feature Reminded Me I Have No …

joliana smith

My name is Sarah Smith and I am a dog owner, lover, and trainer. I have been working with dogs for over 10 years and have a passion for helping them learn and grow. I am a certified dog trainer and specialize in positive reinforcement methods. I believe that all dogs can learn and that the best way to train them is to build a strong relationship based on trust and respect.