Our bichon did the same thing for the longest time. Would chew on his paws and lick almost constantly. He actually licked all the hair from the top of his front legs but he seems to have almost stopped. The hair is growing back now, but he still licks a little.
The dogfood that came with him wasn't great (i realize that now), it was a premium puppy mix of something or other but we let him finish it. But since switching diets and shampoos (got the oatmeal as suggested by members here), he's fine and thriving...
Now if I could just get something to slow him down
