My dog is a cribber!

[Mara]

Well, it’s not exactly cribbing. What Simon does is press his teeth against (usually) the bed linens and nibble. He’s not really even chewing on anything (thank god). I hear the teeth - clickclickclickclick. He does it both when standing (bed is a platform) and when lying on the bed.

He’s nearly nine, healthy, and while he’s a bit quirky and shy, he is comfortable in his home environment. I wonder if he’s maybe not getting enough activity (DH and I both work, though DH’s hours are flexible so he does get a lot of time at home), but he’s never alone, as he’s got his buddy Lance.

First thought was dental issue, but nope, teeth are in great shape. Since he doesn’t seem at all uncomfortable, crunching happily away at his carrot snacks and dry dog food, I think it’s just a behavioral thing he’s picked up.

Does anyone else have, or know of, a cribbing dog? It’s just odd but since it’s not destructive I’ll not worry about finding a cribbing strap for now! :lol:

[chestnutmarebeware]

^^^ :lol: My dog “cribs” on his cats—he puts his teeth right against the base of their necks and does the superfast nibble-nibble-nibble. I was alarmed the first few times, but the weirdo cats seem to enjoy it.

[ParadoxFarm]

My dog will do this, too. And he’ll suck on bedding as well. Just takes a piece and sucks on it. It’s like it releases endorphins like cribbing or something. If I get after him and tell him to drop it, he will. But he does it all the time. Not sure if it has anything to do with him being the runt of the litter. But other than that he’s healthy and happy and VERY energetic. He’s a Belgian Malinois. Not sure if it’s a high-strung dog thing?

[Doberpei]

Mine does it with anything left on the ground (but not necessarily her own toys). If she can pull a sock from the laundry basket or help me unpack a suitcase, she gathers it in her mouth, I never see her chew, but by the time I get it out, there is a hole in it. It’s taught me not to leave stuff where she can get it, but not before she nibbled the binding off a silk sweater, dozens of socks, and more. Mine’s a trained bird dog, so I find it funny that a dog that is trained not to damage something, does. Probably why she was retired.

[Equibrit]

http://www.dogbehaviour.com/articles/dogs/objectsucking.htm

[GraceLikeRain]

[QUOTE=chestnutmarebeware;7031579]
^^^ :lol: My dog “cribs” on his cats—he puts his teeth right against the base of their necks and does the superfast nibble-nibble-nibble. I was alarmed the first few times, but the weirdo cats seem to enjoy it.[/QUOTE]

Mine too! I’e always called that “flea biting.” Dexter will chase down his siamese sister, pin her on to the ground, and fleabite her neck while she purrs and headbutts him. They are a weird duo.

[Mara]

The funny thing is that Simon is nearly nine, and he only picked up the habit about 6 months ago.

He has always been a “nibbly” sort of a dog. Small plastic things have to be kept out of reach as do ballpoint pens; he will zero right in on a ballpoint left in the trash. Evidently he thinks the joy of chewing down the plastic pen housing is worth the rancid taste of ink.

He chewed all of the buttons off of one duvet cover closure and the zipper tab off another (rendering it unable to be zipped once it was unzipped, thanks, Simon). I replaced the buttons with velcro and thus far he has left that alone. I wonder if he’s just nibbling the bed because he’s run out of plastic? Ah well, he’s not ruining anything. We wash the duvets often enough (all that hair) that it doesn’t smell like dog spit.

[MunchingonHay]

My mutt dog will ‘suck’ and ‘kneed’ on his babies. (babies are his two stuffed animal friends he has had since he was a pup and I keep sewing them back together). He has also claimed the cat’s bed as his and will kneed and suck on that. I will find all of this things in this bed with him by night time.

Riley does not do the “grooming” thing your dog does, but perhaps an extra walk is in order to release some energy.

[my_boy_lollipop]

My mini schnauzer is “cribbing” on various stuffed animals. I notice he only does it when he is feeling content/secure. ALWAYS before the lights go out before bed too! He is 5 years old and he was hand fed by his vet who was also his breeder. I think it has something to do with not getting enough (any?) time at his mother’s tit. It is really cute when he does it and he can go for 10 or 15 minutes!

[Sswor]

My Jack X does it on my face. That’s his form of especially exuberant kisses.