Siberian Husky Biting Self

Question
We have a two year old Sibe and she recently started biting at herself on each side of her back quarters. She is biting to where she is eating or losing her hair.  We stop her when we see her doing this. She is crated during the day. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Maybe I should have left this question go, but likely nobody else has a good answer to it either.  I don't think there is a single good answer.  I would start with a vet visit.  You could be lucky and and the vet will send you home with something that will stop it.  

Many people would suggest it is the food and suggest switching go a premium food is all you need to do.  Well maybe, and maybe not.  Others would suggest fish oil capsules.  I suggest feed a decent chow and as little else as possible, seldom if ever bathe the dog, and brush it daily with a soft bristled brush. You might add a teaspoon a day of liquid cooking oil to its food.  A change of food or oil supplements are still an easy answer and maybe will take a while to equal the cost of a vet visit.

I am almost afraid it is boredom.  For those of us that must work for a living, that one can be tough.  How long is she left in the crate?  Can you give her a mid day break of find a neighbor or professional dog walker to?  I was reading the January issue of Dog Fancy at the library today.  It had a lot of good ideas to enrich your dogs life.  Even if left all day by itself, if you give it more quality time evenings and weekends, it could stop it.  Doggy day care would be great solution if you could do it.