Chewing Paws

Let's talk about chewing paws. First, see your vet, because chronic paw-chewing is almost always medical — allergies, yeast infections, mites, even early arthritis. You cannot behavior-train a yeast infection.

Step one: get the diagnosis. Skin scrape, allergy panel, food trial. Step two: while the meds work, an e-collar or a fitted sock so the paw can heal without re-injury.

Step three: a structured sniff-walk every morning to drain the stress that drives the chewing. Step four: wipe paws with a damp cloth after every walk. Pollen, salt, and lawn chemicals all trigger chewing.

Step five: do not punish the chewing. Punishment at an itchy paw makes the dog chew faster and hide it from you. Be the leader, be the alpha, but the alpha gets the vet bill first.

Now, the deeper fix: the chewing will not stop until the itch stops. Vet first, then cone, then enrichment. In that order.

Now here's Steve's notes.