excessive chewing

[renee]

Just wondering if anybody could help me out. I have a 2 yr old german shepherd, dalmatian, pit bull terrier mix who was adopted at the age of 10 months. About 2 months after I got him, I noticed that the stitches from his neutering had not been removed by the shelter. I immediately got them removed. However, he is constantly chewing at his underbelly and around his genitals. Sometimes, he run in circles, almost throw himself on the floor and attack. It really seems to bother him, but my vet has tested for everything he can think of and we are at a loss as to what to do with him. Of course, this is difficult since Cain was brought in by an ACO after being confiscated from a very abusive situation. He is terrified of the vet and getting a close examination requires sedatives and a lot of patience. Does anybody have any ideas as to what to do to help him? Other than this he's a very happy dog, but I hate seeing him when he has his "episodes".

[originalfatc]

Could it be nerves? Obsessive behavior? I've had a few of those, one we used an elizabethan collar till we broke the habit, the others were milder and distraction seemed to curb it.

[renee]

He does have a problem with obsessive behavior. I've been battling separation anxiety with him as well (he's an emotional mess). We've tried the elizabethan collar...used it for a couple of weeks, without much success. Maybe I'll suggest it again, though. Thanks!

[originalfatc]

Actually, the e collar was a last resort with that one. We had tried putting bitter lemon and hot pepper on where she was licking and chewing, it didn't phase her lol.

The others we caught before it became an ingrained pattern, giving them more things to do helped keep their thoughts off tearing themselves to shreds.

[renee]

Yeah, tried the bad flavors. Unfortunately, he doesn't think anything tastes bad. :( Thanks, though!!

[DiegoDog]

Can dogs get ingrown hairs? I mean those can get very itchy. And if the doc shaved him maybe he got some ingrown hairs that are driving him nuts. My dog has seperation anxiety too. Only if I leave him at someone's house. At my place he just sleeps. I hope for the best for your pooch