leg chewing??

Hiya,

When Duke thinks he is being ignored, he sits and mouths his back leg, its always the same leg, he doesn't do any damage just sucks his leg almost as if its a comfort thing as he quite often dozes off while hes doing it. Its normally if me and my partner are doing something such as in the garden together or housework or even more so when we have people over, he will just sit in the middle of the room, leg in mouth.
The previous owner said he has always done it and actually done it a few years ago to the point where he created a sore that required vet intervention.
So far I have tried anti-bite spray and behaviour adjustment with positive and negative reinforcement and distractions but still trying to avoid paying too much attention that he could mistake for affection at the wrong time.
Im not sure whether its anxiety as he is often tied up and out of sight when hes at work with me and he is fine with it and is not phased when left at home alone.

Has anyone ever had anything like this???

Thanks

I have a similar thing with my Flo's rear paws. The vet thinks its allergies and we wash her feet etc but she will still nibble at them. She knows she shouldn't by the look she gives us when we remove her paw from her mouth   

Sounds to me like Duke does have an anxiety thing there that's turned into a habit. I really don't know what to suggest other than have you tried covering the area with a bandage to see if you can break the habit ?

Thanks, I might try covering the leg, he doe also lick his front paws an excessive amount but its not as distressing as mouthing his leg

Worth trying. Bandaging a paw is a lot my difficult   

Maybe try giving him a chew toy or a stuffed Kong, do you have a stag bar this may also be an idea, it could be due to boredom ??

Licking paws excessively is usually boredom so I agree more toys might help, but tying up for long periods will cause anxiety. Is there any way this can be avoided ?

Hi,
hes never tied up for long periods of time, only when I don't want him too close to any of the horses at work, hes always walking around the yard with me otherwise and if hes not at the yard hes at home with my partner and never left alone at home for more than 3 hours.
he doe have toys, he will only play with a kong which he tends to carry around everywhere like a security blanket, he also has various chews and bones at home, we also take a bone to work if I know he will be alone at work (I have to drive a tractor round a field once a week and he happily sits in the gateway with his bone)
it does just seem to mainly be when we have company and hes not centre of attention

Just sounds like an unfortunate habit then as you say to gain attention. Could only suggest distraction toys and treats to reward the leave command; keep trying sometimes it takes ages. Good luck and can we see the lovely Duke ?

Rupert likes chewing his leg sometimes - I think it's for fun, usually when he's hyped up a bit after a walk. It doesn't last long, however.

Distraction is probably the best deterrent. Or try putting a little lemon juice on his leg - dogs hate citrus.