Bald spots on puppies hind legs?

[remy]

Over the past few days I noticed my puppy (14 weeks old) is developing a bald spot on each hind leg in the same spot. I am assuming this is from the sleeping on hard surfaces? Is there anything I can do to help it heal/help the hair grow back?

He sleeps in a crate every night, typically from 10:30pm - 6am. I do not have a blanket or anything in there in fear that he may ingest something while I’m asleep. He is a blanket sucker/biter. I am waiting for it to arrive, but I did order a Primo Pad since it seems durable! He also has a elevated Coolaro bed, although he likes to sleep on the floor which is hardwood.

 

[JanS]

It does look like it's from laying on a hard surface. When our dogs were pups, I'd fold up a big beach or bath towel for something to lay on and that's something they don't want to chew up either.

 

[remy]

It does look like it's from laying on a hard surface. When our dogs were pups, I'd fold up a big beach or bath towel for something to lay on and that's something they don't want to chew up either.

Unfortunately I don’t think a towel would work for him either. Maybe I’ll need to try an area rug. He thinks he is part goat and chews everything! I have to keep the laundry room door closed or else he’ll go in there and take stuff from the basket, or even try to get a dryer sheet from the garbage can.

 

[Ravenbird]

Unfortunately I don’t think a towel would work for him either. Maybe I’ll need to try an area rug. He thinks he is part goat and chews everything!

Maybe a heavy rug and a kong chew?

 

[remy]

Maybe a heavy rug and a kong chew?

He has a Kong and some other chew toys. He still bites basically anything he can get his mouth onto (door trim, wooden arm on chair, metal baby gate, etc…) When I take him outside he tries to eat everything too. I’m constantly pulling out leaves, mulch, pine cones and flowers from his mouth. He is learning “leave it” so thankfully I’m sticking my hand in his mouth less now lol. I’ve never had a dog be so obsessed with trying to eat everything, so I don’t know if it’s a Doberman thing or just him.

 

[EricA]

I’ve never had a dog be so obsessed with trying to eat everything, so I don’t know if it’s a Doberman thing or just him.

Not all Dobermans. Sure, some are going to be more inclined to chew stuff they should not be chewing up but not all.

Out of mostly habit I just don't put anything inside the crates any more. Easier to keep things clean, no chance of them destroying / ingesting whatever... Current girls have never had a day when there was any sort of bedding stuff in their crates. They just don't 'need' it.

Have never seen any Doberman of mine ever develop spots on their bodies like in your picture from sleeping on hard stuff or from sleeping in an unpadded crate. I doubt the crate did that just from the dog sleeping in it.

Wonder if it might be licking?

 

[remy]

Not all Dobermans. Sure, some are going to be more inclined to chew stuff they should not be chewing up but not all.

Out of mostly habit I just don't put anything inside the crates any more. Easier to keep things clean, no chance of them destroying / ingesting whatever... Current girls have never had a day when there was any sort of bedding stuff in their crates. They just don't 'need' it.

Have never seen any Doberman of mine ever develop spots on their bodies like in your picture from sleeping on hard stuff or from sleeping in an unpadded crate. I doubt the crate did that just from the dog sleeping in it.

Wonder if it might be licking?

He doesn’t seem to lick much, but I’ll definitely keep a closer eye to make sure that isn’t the cause!

 

[Rits]

so I don’t know if it’s a Doberman thing or just him.

both puppy and a doberman thing lol! They explore with their mouths, puppies are so inquisitive. He will out grow it and should eventually be able to have a blanket when he is older. My two have never outgrown carrying things around in their mouths though. I never wanted them to be afraid or run away when they had something they shouldn't have so I rewarded them coming to me and outting the object. Now I have two good helpers who bring me random objects . For me it's better than them swallowing something I don't want them to have or playing keep away.

That looks like from the hard floor or possibly sliding on turf during play. Ripley has a small spot like that on her hocks from playing hard in the field. When she's chasing the ball she's going full out and often skids on her hocks for a second or two. Might be if he sits a lot too?

I use Nu-Stock for hair regrowth. Works well. It is a horse tailored product but safe for use on dogs too and works for a lot of other skin issues so good to have on hand!
Amazon.com




The primo pad should help some. It's not super soft but better than the hard floor. I give mine old blankets. I am a firm believer that they do need some sort of padding long term. I wouldn't want my girl to come home from agility practice and then recover her joints on something hard. Sounds painful and asking for soreness and stiffness to me (just like I would be lol). Your guy will be fine for now in the short term while he is outgrowing his need to teeth and test everything.

 

[remy]

both puppy and a doberman thing lol! They explore with their mouths, puppies are so inquisitive. He will out grow it and should eventually be able to have a blanket when he is older. My two have never outgrown carrying things around in their mouths though. I never wanted them to be afraid or run away when they had something they shouldn't have so I rewarded them coming to me and outting the object. Now I have two good helpers who bring me random objects . For me it's better than them swallowing something I don't want them to have or playing keep away.

That looks like from the hard floor or possibly sliding on turf during play. Ripley has a small spot like that on her hocks from playing hard in the field. When she's chasing the ball she's going full out and often skids on her hocks for a second or two. Might be if he sits a lot too?

I use Nu-Stock for hair regrowth. Works well. It is a horse tailored product but safe for use on dogs too and works for a lot of other skin issues so good to have on hand!
Amazon.com

View attachment 133520


The primo pad should help some. It's not super soft but better than the hard floor. I give mine old blankets. I am a firm believer that they do need some sort of padding long term. I wouldn't want my girl to come home from agility practice and then recover her joints on something hard. Sounds painful and asking for soreness and stiffness to me (just like I would be lol). Your guy will be fine for now in the short term while he is outgrowing his need to teeth and test everything.

He’s actually my first puppy (and Doberman) although I’ve had dogs my whole life, so I’m glad it’s a normal puppy behavior! My family had a puppy a few years before I was born, then adopted shelter dogs that were about 1 year old since then.

He does slide and tumble a bit when playing fetch outside. We only play for a few minutes since he’s young, but I wonder if that contributed to the spots as well. He also likes to sit in the corner against the wall like he’s in time out.

I will give the Nu-Stock a try! I want to get him a more comfortable bed, I’m just so afraid he’ll eat a piece from it if I’m not watching him the whole time. Hopefully I can switch to one soon!

 

[Ravenbird]

I use Nu-Stock for hair regrowth. Works well.

I was reading the reviews and it sounds awesome, but there were several comments about it smelling bad. Is it really nasty smelling? Reckless has skin that won't regrow on her nose - the actual nose that doesn't have hair and wondering if this might work. But understandably, J doesn't want to use anything that may interfere with her nosework now that she's at Detective level.

 

[Rits]

I was reading the reviews and it sounds awesome, but there were several comments about it smelling bad. Is it really nasty smelling? Reckless has skin that won't regrow on her nose - the actual nose that doesn't have hair and wondering if this might work. But understandably, J doesn't want to use anything that may interfere with her nosework now that she's at Detective level.

It has a pine sulphur smell...a little medicinal. I actually like the smell of it. The smell doesn't last forever so I would just make sure to not use it the day of. The oils and the clay does tend to separate so I empty the contents in a mason jar and shake it before use.

 

[Rits]

I want to get him a more comfortable bed, I’m just so afraid he’ll eat a piece from it if I’m not watching him the whole time.

Oh for sure, don't feel guilty while he is a puppy. Better to be safe than sorry while he is outgrowing the eat everything phase.

 

[JanS]

I would honestly set the Primo pad aside for a while until he's out of that chewing stage. It can start costing a lot of money if you have to keep replacing stuff.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Kaiser has a scrape like this too but his is lengthwise. Our basement stairs have a metal edge (nosing) and on the last few steps he will sometimes just leap off and I think the hard metal scrapes that spot. It doesn't bother him at all and it's roughed over now. I will usually put some Mushers Secret on it when I do his paw pads. He has a similar mark on his sternum where his chest comes in contact with the floor. I put Mushers on that too.

 

[Kswoodssue]

Our Sasha is 15 months and sleeps with a heavy soft blanket in her crate. Anything stuffed or fluffy, she will still mutilate.