Does your BT do this?
When she's getting ready for a nap, my almost 3 year old Dolly likes
to suck big wads of blanket in her mouth, rolls her eyes back, and
kneads her front paws like she's nursing. I expected she'd grow out of
this, but blankets and corners of pillows where she's been laying still
are found like wet gobs from her sucking on them.
My other dogs have never done this, and she really doesn't have any
behavior issues-she's an awesome girl. Does anyone else's dogs do
this? Is it any problem for her to still get comfy mock-suckling?
Denice, Jackson, NJ
Yep, my Lucy has a stuffed kitty that she sucks and kneads
on. I stockpile extra kitties just in case they stop selling them. Only
this one particular kitty will do. Its weird, If its fur is different
she wont touch it, if its heavier or lighter, she ignores it. Only this
one brand of kitty will do! I can only wash the thing so many times
before it falls apart. So i usually buy two or three when i see them.
The things we do for our dogs, lol!
I adopted her at 8 weeks and we were her second home so I'm sure its due to her being weaned too soon.
This is so funny! I though my Lucy was the only dog that was so picky, lol.
Does World War III break out of any of the other animals
even give that toy a sideways glance? Lucy will share any other toy,
buy she growls at any pup (or cat) that comes near her kitty!
~Kristy
Canonsburg, PA
Yep! Except with Penny it's a very particular stuffed duck. (I'm not sure what she'll do if they ever stop making it!)
She
suckles on it pretty regularly but I've been told it's nothing to worry
about. It could be a result of her being taken away from her mother
too early.
I don't think it's anything to worry about and form what I can tell it seems to be fairly common.
Look at her with her kitty! These Bostons are so funny!
I grew up with hunting dogs and none of them had personalities like
this! I love it.
We unfortnately are a one animal
household as Penny is animal-agressive so she never has to worry about
anyone stealing ducky. (expect when I wash it!)
We have a bunch and always buy one when we go to PetSmart. We've tried
to give her other toys but it HAS to be the one duck. We rotate them and
wash them until they fall apart but don't try to sneak in some sort of
generic. Here she is agter being worn out from all the suckling...
Sara
Collingswood
That's so sweet. Delilah does the same thing with her lambs wool crate pad that never is in the crate but under the dinning room table or in bed with us. One corner is always so soggy. Cricket, lays with her ball and no one better go near it...Murphy he loves just about anything. Neither Cricket or Murphy suckle....LOL They both will glance over at Dee as if to say, there she goes doing that weird thing with her 'nuzzy'.
Joyce
My 10 yr old, Brynn, has done this since she was a puppy. She suckles
and kneads on whatever is available when she is going to sleep.
Robin
Liverpool, NY
Fiona is the same way with her blankies and dog beds. She rocks back and
forth and soaks it with her mouth. When I go to get a picture or video
she usually snaps out of it. I got her at 10 weeks but she was bottle
fed because her mother had mastitis from an emergency c-section. I think
I spelled that correct. Fiona was not able to nurse from her mom. I
always think of kittens kneading when Fiona does it. Fiona is 2 now and I
do not see it stopping...but she has no behavior issues from it. I even
got her baby blankets because they are softer for her and she loves the
way they feel. (She would steal my niece's infant ones)
Katelyn and Fiona
Wall, NJ
Duke has a
stuffed rabbit that he sucks on like that (the nose) like he is
nursing. It is a self soothing mechanism and I just let him go. Joan S
Ontario NY
My BT has been doing this to my leg since he was a pup.. Leaves me
changing my pants often Lol (bout twice a day) but it would break my
heart to tell him to stop
Rory sucks on blanks and any other soft object she can find. But at
night she has a special sucky and we only let her have it at night.
Otherwise it would be in a million pieces and she would be heartbroken
at bedtime.
Ellen
Tater has been sucking on his night night bed at night night
time since I can remember. He is going to be 7 next month. I always
thought it was just him but apparently he isn't alone :)
Nicole
Turnersville, NJ
Yep. Jax does it, but also leaves little holes in the blankets from
suckling. Dr said if it makes him calm, no issue. However, he does
almost the same thing to his front paws, and the doctor said not so good
because he could get yeast build up between his toes from being wet.
Have found no solution on the paws other than to distract him with a toy
to make him stop. Feels it is not due to being itchy as much as it is
habitual.
Sent from my iPhone
Stacie
Maya was BIG on this, I went t Joann Fabrics and took fleece in strips
and knotted them in a chain, like when you make the blankets but a strip
instead of a blanket, she would suckle on it til she fell asleep and it
kept the blankies dry and smelling better. I have seen this in dogs
taken from mama too young it's a comfort thing and some never grow out
of it, I have a cat now age 3 that still does this we bottle fed her she
never had a mama.
They are so comforted it's amazing to watch!
Makes us realize what babies they really are!
Maria
I have a 12 yr old Boston that has sucked on a stuffed animal her
whole life and still does. It comforts her and puts her to sleep. I also
had a Brittany Spaniel that did this. I don't think they ever outgrow
it. I think it's kind of cute!
Marlene
He has shown us that with patience, persistency and lots and lots of
love a thought dog can be transformed into a loving dog. He has made so
much progress, we are so very proud of him! He is a gentleman, extremely
smart and very helpful with Penny, he is such a great big brother and
so obedient. We are all a work in progress, otherwise we wouldn't be on
this Earth! This boy has worked very hard to become the gem that he is!
