I have a 10 year old toy poodle named CC that I inherited about 4 months
ago.

for a visual you can go to www.xakeridi.com/roxaenne/ccindex.htm

She's a wonderful little dog, but I have some concerns about her. CC gets
little mats all up and down her front legs (and only her front legs) from
licking. I don't know if it can really be considered obsessive licking.
She does it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and it's frequent and noticeable.

So how much is too much licking? And what can be done about the mats? I've
had cats and dogs in the past but all of them had smooth coats. I don't care
about the aesthetics--I'm only concerned that the mats will pull on her
skin, or make it necessary to shave them off. It's WAY too cold for her
already having less hair would only make it worse for her. She's had some
upheaval in the recent past.

If you want the background....

When I got her she hadn't been to the vet in years. She had old tags still
on so I called them--it was so long ago they don't have records from that
far back. She came to me when her original owner died and the family wanted
to put her down so (and this is a direct quote) she wouldn't "be a drain on
the estate." A member of my family worked for CC owner and offered to take
her to keep them from having her having her killed. In the process of
asking all our friends if they wanted a little poodle CC decided she wanted
to live with me. I asked my landlord if this would be okay and got a weird
run around. At first I was told it was no problem so I moved the dog in.
After 3 weeks the landlord's wife found out about the dog and told me I had
to get rid of CC. I immediately gave notice I would be moving out. Then
they said I could stay if I promised to keep CC in a cage (with a lock no
less) and let them raise the rent. I had a new apartment, was packed and
moved 2 weeks later. My current landlord and I walk our dogs together in
the morning--he has a very sweet Husky. So the ending is happy. But I can
understand with that kind of massive change that any animal might feel
anxious.

"Rox" wrote in message
...
I have a 10 year old toy poodle named CC that I inherited about 4 months
ago.

She's a wonderful little dog, but I have some concerns about her. CC gets
little mats all up and down her front legs (and only her front legs) from
licking. I don't know if it can really be considered obsessive licking.
She does it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and it's frequent and noticeable.

So how much is too much licking? And what can be done about the mats?

Poor thing. Such selfish people.

But anyways...you can get a comb, and make it a daily ritual to comb out her
legs. Her groomer can show you how to properly brush her out.

As far as the licking, it can be from stress and nervousness. Work on
increasing her confidence and mental stimulation. Poodles are very smart
dogs and can learn to do just about anything--including guardwork (not
reccomended).

--
Emily Carroll
Dealing 80s Toys - Rainbow Brite - My Little Pony - More
Fluttervale Labradors: www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/dogs/
CPG: www.geocities.com/cyberpetgame/
4-H Club: www.geocities.com/woofsandwiggles/


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"Rox" wrote in message
...
I have a 10 year old toy poodle named CC that I inherited about 4 months
ago.

She's a wonderful little dog, but I have some concerns about her. CC gets
little mats all up and down her front legs (and only her front legs) from
licking. I don't know if it can really be considered obsessive licking.
She does it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and it's frequent and noticeable.

So how much is too much licking? And what can be done about the mats?

Poor thing. Such selfish people.

But anyways...you can get a comb, and make it a daily ritual to comb out her
legs. Her groomer can show you how to properly brush her out.

As far as the licking, it can be from stress and nervousness. Work on
increasing her confidence and mental stimulation. Poodles are very smart
dogs and can learn to do just about anything--including guardwork (not
reccomended).

--
Emily Carroll
Dealing 80s Toys - Rainbow Brite - My Little Pony - More
Fluttervale Labradors: www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/dogs/
CPG: www.geocities.com/cyberpetgame/
4-H Club: www.geocities.com/woofsandwiggles/


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"Rox" wrote in message
...
I have a 10 year old toy poodle named CC that I inherited about 4 months
ago.

She's a wonderful little dog, but I have some concerns about her. CC gets
little mats all up and down her front legs (and only her front legs) from
licking. I don't know if it can really be considered obsessive licking.
She does it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and it's frequent and noticeable.

So how much is too much licking? And what can be done about the mats?

Poor thing. Such selfish people.

But anyways...you can get a comb, and make it a daily ritual to comb out her
legs. Her groomer can show you how to properly brush her out.

As far as the licking, it can be from stress and nervousness. Work on
increasing her confidence and mental stimulation. Poodles are very smart
dogs and can learn to do just about anything--including guardwork (not
reccomended).

--
Emily Carroll
Dealing 80s Toys - Rainbow Brite - My Little Pony - More
Fluttervale Labradors: www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/dogs/
CPG: www.geocities.com/cyberpetgame/
4-H Club: www.geocities.com/woofsandwiggles/


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"Rox" wrote in message
...
I have a 10 year old toy poodle named CC that I inherited about 4 months
ago.

She's a wonderful little dog, but I have some concerns about her. CC gets
little mats all up and down her front legs (and only her front legs) from
licking. I don't know if it can really be considered obsessive licking.
She does it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and it's frequent and noticeable.

So how much is too much licking? And what can be done about the mats?

Poor thing. Such selfish people.

But anyways...you can get a comb, and make it a daily ritual to comb out her
legs. Her groomer can show you how to properly brush her out.

As far as the licking, it can be from stress and nervousness. Work on
increasing her confidence and mental stimulation. Poodles are very smart
dogs and can learn to do just about anything--including guardwork (not
reccomended).

--
Emily Carroll
Dealing 80s Toys - Rainbow Brite - My Little Pony - More
Fluttervale Labradors: www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/dogs/
CPG: www.geocities.com/cyberpetgame/
4-H Club: www.geocities.com/woofsandwiggles/


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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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Sometimes dogs lick themselves if they are in pain or discomfort.

Get her checked thoroughly next time she sees a vet. Make them stretch her
legs to see if any joints hurt. I had tried to do it myself and got no
reaction from my dog, but the vet knew how far you should be able to move
the limbs and got a reaction.
You can try to stop her from licking by distracting her, call her to you,
ask her to do something etc.
If you can't get her to stop licking and you have to cut her coat very
short, put a sweater on her when you go outside. Even a sleeveless one will
help her keep her bodytemperature up. Remember that there is nothing silly
about putting clothes on a dog that needs to be kept warm.

Rosa

Sometimes dogs lick themselves if they are in pain or discomfort.

Get her checked thoroughly next time she sees a vet. Make them stretch her
legs to see if any joints hurt. I had tried to do it myself and got no
reaction from my dog, but the vet knew how far you should be able to move
the limbs and got a reaction.
You can try to stop her from licking by distracting her, call her to you,
ask her to do something etc.
If you can't get her to stop licking and you have to cut her coat very
short, put a sweater on her when you go outside. Even a sleeveless one will
help her keep her bodytemperature up. Remember that there is nothing silly
about putting clothes on a dog that needs to be kept warm.

Rosa

Sometimes dogs lick themselves if they are in pain or discomfort.

Get her checked thoroughly next time she sees a vet. Make them stretch her
legs to see if any joints hurt. I had tried to do it myself and got no
reaction from my dog, but the vet knew how far you should be able to move
the limbs and got a reaction.
You can try to stop her from licking by distracting her, call her to you,
ask her to do something etc.
If you can't get her to stop licking and you have to cut her coat very
short, put a sweater on her when you go outside. Even a sleeveless one will
help her keep her bodytemperature up. Remember that there is nothing silly
about putting clothes on a dog that needs to be kept warm.

Rosa

Sometimes dogs lick themselves if they are in pain or discomfort.

Get her checked thoroughly next time she sees a vet. Make them stretch her
legs to see if any joints hurt. I had tried to do it myself and got no
reaction from my dog, but the vet knew how far you should be able to move
the limbs and got a reaction.
You can try to stop her from licking by distracting her, call her to you,
ask her to do something etc.
If you can't get her to stop licking and you have to cut her coat very
short, put a sweater on her when you go outside. Even a sleeveless one will
help her keep her bodytemperature up. Remember that there is nothing silly
about putting clothes on a dog that needs to be kept warm.

Rosa

Thanks for the ideas--I'll look for a quality comb. She seems a little
afraid of the brush I was given as part of the small pack of items from her
former life.

CC is very smart. There are about 3 or 4 places that I will tell her we're
going to and she'll know the way there--trotting along ahead of me and not
needing to be guided.


"Emily Carroll" wrote in message
...
But anyways...you can get a comb, and make it a daily ritual to comb out
her
legs. Her groomer can show you how to properly brush her out.

As far as the licking, it can be from stress and nervousness. Work on
increasing her confidence and mental stimulation. Poodles are very smart
dogs and can learn to do just about anything--including guardwork (not
reccomended).

--
Emily Carroll
Dealing 80s Toys - Rainbow Brite - My Little Pony - More
Fluttervale Labradors: www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/dogs/
CPG: www.geocities.com/cyberpetgame/
4-H Club: www.geocities.com/woofsandwiggles/


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