Hot spots occur when dogs do what they do best, and that’s licking and scratching. Unfortunately, when they do that over an open sore or a break in the skin, it can become irritated and/or infected. It’s a common myth that hot spots are contagious. However, what’s happening is that when your pet is constantly trying to scratch their first hot spot, they’re breaking open their skin. Then they lick that spot, adding moisture to the wound, which draws in harmful bacteria creating a larger hot spot and possibly even more hot spots.