Skin problems can make your poodle start licking, biting or gnawing on himself until his skin is raw or even bleeding. You will need to prevent your dog from licking himself so that his skin can heal and new problem areas do not develop as a result of continued licking.
Step 1
Take your poodle to a veterinarian who is familiar with the breed and ask him to thoroughly evaluate your dog for any type of medical condition that could be responsible for causing the licking behavior. Treat your poodle for any conditions that your veterinarian diagnoses him with.
Step 2
Wash your dog with a gentle shampoo, such as baby shampoo or gentle dog shampoo. Allow his coat to dry naturally and then spray the areas where he is licking with an anti-lick or anti-chewing product designed for use on dogs. Follow all of the product instructions to ensure you are applying the anti-licking product properly.
Step 3
Place an anti-chewing cone around your dog's neck or place a muzzle on your dog so that he cannot lick himself. Keep the cone or muzzle on your dog until any damage to his skin heals.
Step 4
Consult a professional dog trainer who specializes in working with poodles if your dog continues to lick even after skin damage has healed and underlying veterinary problems have been treated. Work with a trainer to break your dog's licking habit while providing him with plenty of physical activities, attention and toys to help distract him from licking.
References
Tips
- Poodles are prone to suffering from sebaceous adenitis, which can cause dry, itchy skin and hair loss. Sebaceous adenitis may be misdiagnosed as allergies or other problems if your veterinarian is not familiar with poodles. This condition cannot be cured but it can be treated and managed to promote your dog's comfort.
Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.