If your pup’s licking starts suddenly and is focused on one specific paw, it could indicate an injury. In this case, examine the targeted paw for any obstructions like thorns, stones or pesky grass seeds stuck between their toes or paw pads.
A very viable reason your pup may be going at their paw could be that their claws are causing them problems. The same rules apply; do a thorough inspection of their paw, checking each claw carefully, including the de claw.
Our canine friends often lick as a form of soothing. This means that your pup may be licking its paw because it feels pain, even if the pain is elsewhere in the body.