I think the paw/leg-licking can be self-soothing, like thumb-sucking. Sammy is hyper- vigilant... is that the word I want? Easily stimulated. One of us can walk out the back door, he can see us go, then we can turn around and come right back in, and even though he KNOWS it's us and not an intruder he goes nuts, barking his silly head off like we're somebody he's never seen before, breaking in to murder all the rest of us in cold blood. I mean, he goes ballistic and there's no stopping him. He won't bite, but he just won't shut up. I've about had it wih him.