A host of research efforts both in America and Europe sought to ascertain if in fact nail biting was linked to mental illness in one form or another. Most people would have anticipated they found a high prevalence of nail biting among mentally disordered; however, they found that nail biting, in and of itself, is not systematic of any form of mental disorder or maladjustment.

Nail biting crosses all national borders, genders, and both social and economic lines and may also originate from a primal need for self-grooming. It affects both nails and cuticles; with greater potential harm caused via infection to cuticle and nail biting tends to be a private affair, and is a relatively isolated form of self-indulgence.

Nail biting may be treated addressing symptom rather than cause; it is a habit, not a disease.

I’ve even considered going up to management and making a fuss, but what can they do? They can’t “police” every pet owner as they leave house. There are signs posted through out complex, they’ve mentioned this area of concern in monthly newsletter, and it’s in apartment rental contract.

If you’re a pet owner who lets your pet “do business” on someone else’s property, think about this: How would you feel if you woke up one morning and stepped on something squishy as you walked to your car? Doesn’t sound bad? What if you looked down to find that squishy mess was actually a pile of dog poop? Would you be angry, irritated, or disgusted? Or would you think it was okay and just walk back in hose to change your shoes?

Now take that stop a step further, what if your little one was playing outside on his/her front lawn and thought that pile of dog poop was mud and put it in his/her mouth? Would you still be okay with someone else letting their pet “do business” on your property?

Final Thought Take time to respect your neighbor today. You just never know when that respect will come back to you ten-fold.