strange behavior? - Page 1

Does anyone else have a dog that likes to suck on blankets? The 7 year old male that my ex now has started sucking on blankets at about a year old. The dog will also knead the blanket with his paws at the same time....I guess like he is suckling the blanket. He will do this at least several times a day. I always thought it strange and wondered why. (This is the same over-the-top alpha male I referred to in another post.) Was he taken away from the mother too soon? What's really strange is that after my female spent several weeks over by my ex when I was in the hospital, she started doing the same thing. Just curious if someone might have an explanation. The dogs seem to be happy/content when they do it.

I've heard of that, but never had an adult dog that did it. It is a conplusive behavior that may or may not be worth the effort to modify. At 7 I might just give him his own blankie and let him have at it.

Correction - compulsive behavior. When is Oli getting spell check LOL???

The dog has had his own blanket for years otherwise he will steal one off the bed or start sucking on throw pillows.

LOL, I had a cat that did this, but never a dog. Seems it's his little way of chilling out. Maybe like us meditating or soothing ourselves. As long as he is normal in every other way, why bother trying to stop it?

With my psychology background, I would think that it's because he was weaned way too early and has issues with security. However, I am a human therapist, not animal. LOL ;) Sounds like it's adorable to watch though. LOL

It is funny to watch a full grown german shepherd suck on his blankie. He will also give HIMSELF love bites when I pet him. (He'll start chewing on his own leg.) They say pets take after their owners which worries me a little as I had this dog for 5 years before my ex took him....

I know this is somewhat common with Dobes.

Baden does the love bite thing too when I pat him. If he doesn't munch on me, he chews himself while I scratch his itchy spots. Triode, does he actuallay suck on the blanket. leaving a wet spot? My cat did this and it left a nasty cat breath smell, with the drool on the blanket.

4Pack,it's tough to tell if the dog is actually sucking on the blanket but that's what it looks like. He will gather up or scrunch up as much blanket as he can fit in his mouth at one time. He will hold the blanket in his mouth with his paws for about 10 minutes. Not sure exactly what he is doing with the blanket but it is very wet and stinky when he's finished, just like with your cat. He leaves a big wad of blanket sticking up in the air when he's done all soaked with drool.