She is 4 yrs. old and is a Rescue dog. She was used as a breeder dog and had two litters. She has this odd habit, when playing with a soft, stuffed dog toy, of grabbing a piece of it in her mouth and gently chewing and at the same time the little front paws are flexing almost like kittens do when they nurse. I'm just curious what this means. Has anyone ever had a dog that did this?
2006-11-07 14:25:40 · 7 answers · asked by skylark49242 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
She is seeking comfort in a way she knows best. I doubt it has to do with her babies being taken away from her, more likely SHE was weaned too early, or it could just be that is how she found comfort. I had a JRT who was weaned at 8 weeks and we gave her a stuffed animal to sleep with in her crate. She would suck on it everynight before she went to bed. If she got reprimanded for doing something wrong * she would search out her favorite stuffed toy and suck on it. It was sweet to watch and she would calm down.
*JRT's are SOOOOO smart, once she learned we did not want a certain behaviour, she would make a game out of seeing how far she could go before we told her to stop. Funny if it's not serious or endangering her health! JRT thinks to self, "I know I'm not supposed to eat human food, but just how close to it can I get before they notice and make me quit?" Or, "mom sayes stay off the sofa, I wonder if she means the ottoman NEXT to the sofa, or the easy chair, or the....." You get the idea.
Let your dog have her stuffed animal and replace it with another BEFORE she wears it out so she won't be looking for it once it's no more.
2006-11-07 15:05:25 · answer #1 · answered by Texanborn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a trait I have heard that pups taken away from the mother too early have. Bottle feeding just doesn't cut it, for some reason, for some dogs. So they develop the habit of 'nursing' on inanimate objects.
Harmless habit, unless she is inhaling stuffing!
Thank you for Rescuing a needy dog! The world needs more people like you!
2006-11-07 22:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by Lori R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never had a dog that did that, but considering you were told she was used as a breeder dog, she probably had her litters taken away really early. Sounds like she is comforting herself with her toy.
I wouldn't worry about it - be glad she's found a way to comfort herself that doesn't required chewing up your rugs and furniture!
2006-11-07 22:30:58 · answer #3 · answered by LorraineBates 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is a full poodle..that is what they do with their paws...very cat like in many ways. Their feet are very, very sensitive, and they use them to feel their way around the whatevers. You dog is acting normal.
2006-11-07 22:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Canines have to show that they are king so to speak. Its her way of kill and conquer. It is normal and she like the feeling of being in control of her catch, which is what she is replecating.Its not a habit its a normal function acted out by a very satisfied animal. She sounds happy to me.
2006-11-07 22:55:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It a comforting behavior. I wouldn't worry about it too much. She probably had to resort to comforting herself if she was not well cared for by her previous owners.
2006-11-07 22:28:55 · answer #6 · answered by piper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes she is probly lonely and would like to have some babies.
2006-11-07 22:29:00 · answer #7 · answered by fergie masters 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋