Soggy Blankets

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

 Elise

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