Hello. Well, I have an 18 mo. Old Lab/american bulldog mix. The other day he knicked his back leg. I am not sure how and it didn't look like it bothered him. It was about a pea size spot. Well... now he won't leave it alone.
I have caught him licking it. Now, it is twice the size. I don't think it is infected.
I want him to leave it alone - but how? If I bandage it - I am sure he will just rip it off.
So, what do I do.

Do I take him to the vet - just to be sent home with a large bill and instructions that could have been done here in the 1st place?

Again - he isn't limping - he lets me look at it and touch it and it doesn't look like it is infected.

What do I do?

There is a cone at the pet store you can buy... it goes over his head, probably cheaper at walmart or one of the big chain stores... also vets carry them you can just walk in and buy one. Cost varies depending on size. I would try this first, although at night I'm not sure if you could use this maybe some of the other posters will know. :)

We have a "hat" from when he was fixed. Will that keep him from his hind leg? It's been a while since we have had it on him. He looks so defeated when he wears that thing.

Not a simple solution I suppose, Because it entitles knitting :)

But I Knitted a pair of pants for one of my Dogs, then attached it to a Dog coat,
Worked great too. And he actually got to liking it :)

He looks so cute with his pants on.

You know, my husband gives me grief because I keep buying clothes for my dog - I can just see the expression if I had pants on him. :)
Of course, now you are going to have to explain knitting to me.

Learning to knit is a hands on,
And takes plenty time to learn.

If you wanted knitted pants, put up an ad, maybe someone close by will take your dogs measurements and knit you a pair :)

The best solution would be going with the elizabethan colar (the cone) to keep your dog from licking the wound. The most important thing is to keep him from licking the wound so whatever works for you. If he keeps licking the wound he could cause what is known as a lick granuloma. These are very nasty looking wounds that end up becoming infected and oozing. If this happens then the dog will have to be put on antibiotics. So whatever you can do to prevent him from licking his wound do it or else you might be getting a pretty expensive vet bill.