dog biting himself

Question
I have a 1yr.old cockapoo, male/neutered. He keeps biting himself on his private area and his paws. He bites so much on his paws that he takes the hair right out. His private area is getting swollen and he is making himself bleed.
I have never had a small breed before, is this common

Answer
I wouldn't say it is common with a small breed.  It sounds to me like it could be some kind of an allergy.  If he is chewing on his feet so much that he is making them bleed, he definitely needs to be treated.  At the very least you can get him an Elizabethan collar (you can pick one up at your local pet store) so that he can't reach his feet or belly.  You can also try giving him some Benadryl to give him some relief. Those are only temporary solutions, however.  Your vet should be able to tell you specifically what is causing it, and give him some medication that can make him more comfortable, as well as give you some tips on controlling his allergies.

Amanda