why does my border collie push his paws into a cushion whenever he has one and nibble it at the same time!?

Question

he is 5months old and as he has a cushion in his bed he puses his paws into the cushion and nibbles and suckles it! strange

Answer 1

All young animals do this it is an action left over from the time they were fed by their mothers. I suggest you get him a surrogate (a large cuddly toy) worked for us with all three kittens and the puppy!

Answer 2

I have a 5 1/2 year old Rough Collie that occasionally does the same thing. We call her "The Nibbler" (but you have to say it in the same way that the announcer said "The Crusher!" in the old Bugs Bunny cartoon to get the full effect: http://www.oldschool-wrestling.com/wwow/WWOW_Crusher.htm). I also used to have a Maine Coon cat that would shove his face against you, a pillow or ablanket and knead so vigerously that he actually ripped things.

Even though my dog was rescued, we know her background and I don't think she was weaned too early. I don't think it's a major problem or the sign of a health problem but if you don't want him to do it, you can try giving him an "acceptable" toy if you catch him doing it while saying something like "no nibble!" at the same time. You might want to give him something other than a plush chew toy as he might continue to nibble on that in the same way... You could try filling a Kong with peanut butter or give him a Beef Marrow Bone to keep him occupied until his mind gets off it. Our other dog (also a Rough Collie and a rescue) seems to have a mild case of OCD and will sometimes become obsessed with doing something. Ocassionally, we have to provide him with "alternative activities" if he's doing something we don't want him to continue doing.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Hi I have a 10 year old Jack Russell he was weaned off his mother way too early at 5 weeks. He still suckles on cushions, duvet and sometimes my dressing gown when I'm wearing it. I find it quite cute. I've also got an 8 month old bull terrier and she does it on occasions but not often. She pretty much weaned herself off her mother at 7 weeks. It really is noting to worry about my Jack has never had any problems.

Answer 4

If the cat lays down after he paws then he's purely attempting to make the exterior extra comfortable. If, although he paws and paws at a floor and does no longer lay down, it will be a demonstration of constipation. A cat who has discomfort even as it urinates or won't be able to poop isn't waiting to understand the reason so that they blame it on the muddle field (to be able to communicate). in the adventure that they could't poop contained in the muddle field then they warfare another position, even as that doesn't artwork then they warfare another position and dig a touch tougher on the exterior. a similar is authentic for cats that with out note initiate peeing outdoors of the muddle field. It hurts there so i will bypass over right here, hmm that still hurts so i will bypass over there...and so on. examine the muddle field. If he's using it then it really is as everyone else above has defined.

Answer 5

I think this is so cute. I have a ten year old female Doberman that does the exact same thing to toss pillows, She looks as if she is nursing. I buy her a new pillow every so often. Good question!! I have not the answer though, sorry.I know it's not from her being taken away from her mother at too young of age, because I bought her from her family and breeder around 8-10 weeks old.I guess it could be a comforting thing to them.

Answer 6

He may feel comforted by suckling. He may have been taken from his mom when he was a bit too young..
He might outgrow it, much like human kids sometimes outgrow sucking on their thumbs.
If you notice him doing that, wake him, tell him no and take away the comfort cushion.. reassure him with affection afterward.

Answer 7

He's probably 'suckling'. He might have been taken away from his mother a bit too early. He might grow out of it, although I know someone with a 6 year old dog who still does it with a blanket! Next time he does it, try giving him a cuddle, letting him know he is ok, and that your his 'mother'

Answer 8

He is probably just doing it because he remembers nursing on his mother which is comforting to him. My dog did that sometimes when he was a puppy. I think its similar to a cat kneading a blanket, its comforting.