Why Does My Dog Nibble Me?

If you want a definitive answer to the age-old question ‘why does my dog nibble me’ then this is the most important page you’re ever going to read.

Now, nibbling is just one of many potentially frustrating behaviors that dogs can develop. And while you might think nibbling is kind of cute (after all it’s how your dog shows affection and gets explores new tastes and textures), the truth is that your dog could also be nibbling could lead to more troubling behaviors in the future.

After all, being nibbled by a puppy can be cute; but being bitten by a fully-grown dog with sharp teeth is a very different story.

This is why it’s important to intervene early and encouraging your dog to nibble on the right kind of things like chew toys, bones, and other various things other than your hands.

But before we get into the do’s and don’t of nibbling, first a quick heads up…

Understanding why your dog nibbles is only a small piece of the puzzle. However, learning how to permanently nip your dog’s nibbling in the bud (no pun intended) can be achieved by first teaching your dog how to control their emotions.

This is why before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend checking out the Dog Calming Code from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer. (see video below)

I guarantee that if you watch the video, take notes, and then apply the training Dan recommends in this unique program, you’ll be surprised at how quickly your dog’s obsessive, unwanted nibbling habit will soon become a thing of the past.

Anyway, here’s the video link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dogs Obsessive, Unwanted Nibbling Habit Using A Powerful, Highly Effective Calming Technique That Takes Just Minutes A Day To Apply… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!

(video will open in a new window)

Now, in order to understand why your dog nibbles, we’re going to explore some of the reasons they exhibit this behavior, as well as ways you can differentiate between playful and non-playful nibbling.

By the end, it’s my hope that you’ll be in a much better position to put an end to that obsessive nibbling and enjoy your dog’s company without the constant irritation of a nibbly dog.

You need to remember that nibbling is a very common trait in dogs, especially in puppies. And while it’s often a sign of affection, there are, of course, other reasons why your dog might be nibbling, which we’ll discuss below…

It’s part of the play routine

Mouthing behaviors are pervasive in puppies, as they use their mouths to explore and play.

You might find that your puppy charges around the living room and stops at your feet before nibbling your fingers until you move your hand away.

This type of nibbling is seldom painful and is not likely to break your skin; it’s just a way for your pup to show affection.

However, if you don’t seek to address this behavior, as your puppy’s teeth grow. Innocent nibbles can turn into painful bites, even if they’re not intended to do any harm.

To get attention

Some dogs nibble at their owners to get their attention. It’s as simple as that. While some dogs bark, others will wander up to you while you’re relaxing on the sofa and start nibbling away.

While there are several reasons for this, you still shouldn’t tolerate obsessive nibbling, as your dog will eventually start to see it as an effective way to get you to do what they want.

Boredom

If your dog lacks stimulation, nibbling on your hand can seem like an enjoyable way to pass the time.

And while you might disagree as your hand is not a chew toy. Your puppy may not make the distinction and will think it’s appropriate to nibble on your fingers when there’s nothing better to do.

Frustration

Nibbling can be a way for some dogs to express their frustration. It’s often difficult to know when your dog is frustrated, and it may not be clear why their mood has changed all of a sudden.

Although every dog exhibits frustration in different ways, some will nibble on their owners’ hands or feet to express their annoyance about a particular thing that hasn’t gone their way.

Aggression

Perhaps the most worrying reason for obsessive nibbling or nipping is early onset signs of aggression.

Again this can be for a number of reasons and can even be related to some of the reasons we’ve already discussed, like frustration.

In some instances, dogs can even display aggressive nibbling when playing. For instance, if they’re trying to assert dominance or become possessive of a particular toy or area.

If this is the case, you should be mindful of any signs of aggression in your dog and try and change the behavior as best you can.

Now, as you can see, there are several reasons why your dog can potentially nibble. And whether it’s a totally innocent show of affection or a more ominous sign of things to come, it can be frustrating nonetheless.

But how exactly can you tell if your dog’s nibbling is playful or non-playful?

Are there signs you can pick up on that are a cause for concern?

Let’s look at some indicators that will help you identify the motivation behind your dog’s nibbling.

Playful and non-playful nibbling In Dogs?

While nibbling in general is a frustrating behavior in any dog, there’s an important distinction to be made between playful and non-playful nibbling.

Again, if you’re at all worried about your dogs nibbling, be it playful or non-playful. Now would be the time to check out the training from The Dog Calming Code I was talking about earlier.

Regardless of the type of nibbling, Dan’s unique training methods will teach your dog to be calm in any situation that triggers their unruly nibbling habit.

Anyway, let’s take a look at some of the key differences between playful and non-playful nibbling…

Non-Playful Nibbling

A low growl

To recognize your dog’s reason for nibbling, you can take cues from the interaction as a whole.

For instance, if the nibbling is accompanied by a low growl that sounds a little sinister or frustrated. Then chances are your dog is exhibiting worrying aggressive behavior that needs to be dealt with.

Stiff posture

Again, you can also pick up vital cues about a dog’s intentions from the posture exhibited during a particular exchange.

For example, if the nibbling occurs when your dog has a stiff posture (sometimes accompanied by a fixed stare), it’s another troubling sign that there could well be some underlying behavioral challenges.

Baring teeth

Another tell-tale sign of aggression when it comes to nibbling is whether or not nibbling is accompanied by your dog baring their teeth.

When this happens, the jaw is usually clenched, and it can often be accompanied by a growl.

This is one of the most obvious signs of aggression in dogs. So if you’re canine starts exhibiting these behaviors when nibbling, it’s something you need to address as a matter of urgency.

What about playful nibbling?

Similarly, you can often tell from your dog’s body language whether the nibbling is playful.

If your dog is jumping around, wagging its tail, and looking generally relaxed and/or excited, chances are the nibbling is part of the play routine and is not a sign of aggression.

However, regardless of the intentions, nibbling is still a behavior that you should seek to eradicate, as it can lead to further troubling behavioral issues further down the line.

So How Do I Stop My Dog Nibbling?

Even if you think your puppy’s nibbling is innocent, chances are you won’t find it so adorable when your dog has matured…

…Especially when their teeth start to cause some damage!

The good news, however, is that nibbling is a trait that can be managed. Take note, as there are several straightforward things you can to put an end to your dog’s nibbling before it gets out of control.

Firstly…

Determine the root cause of the behavior

As with all challenging behaviors, it always helps understand why it’s happening in the first place.

So before you do anything else, consider the following…

Does your dog seem to be in any pain while eating or show any teething issues? Sometimes, nibbling can signify that your dog has sore teeth. A trip to the vet is a must if you suspect this.
What is your dog’s body language like when nibbling? As I’ve already mentioned, nibbling might result from the fact that your dog is frustrated or bored. Understanding this can help quickly solve the issue.

So take a step back and really try to understand the cause of your dog’s nibbling. If you look closely, you can usually find a few tell-tale signs that can help solve the issue.

Introduce a chew toy

Simply I know, but an effortless way of stopping your dog from nibbling is to introduce something else they can chew.

It’s instinctive for puppies to nibble, so it’s challenging to eradicate their need to chew and explore with their mouths.

You can pick up all sorts of chew toys from pet stores and online, so the chances are you will find something that your dog will be happy to nibble on that isn’t your hand!

When you do, keep it close by, and as soon as your dog feels the urge to have a little old nibble, offer the toy as an alternative to see what effect it has.

With a little bit of luck, your dog will have forgotten all about your hand and will be just as happy chewing on the new toy.

Distract them with something else

If you suspect your dog is nibbling you because of boredom or to get your attention, think of a few ways that you can interact with your dog that doesn’t involve nibbling.

For instance, you could try:

Playing with various toys and playing fetch.
Taking your dog outside for exercise in the garden or even for an additional walk.

If you ensure specific activities stimulate your dog, it’ll be much more likely you’ll be able to eradicate the nibbling over time.

Teach them to be calm with positive reinforcement

A great way to permanently change your dog’s behavior is to teach them the power of calm. You can do this through positive reinforcement techniques by simply rewarding good behavior and ignoring the bad.

For instance, when your dog nibbles your hand, try turning your back on them or leaving the room.

And when they don’t nibble (or nibble that awesome toy you got them), reward them with a treat and positive praise.

Over time, the message will start to sink in. And they’ll eventually become motivated to do more of what gets them rewarded and less of what gets ignored.

Again, calming your dog is something talked about extensively in the Dog Calming Code.

So if you haven’t had a chance to look, but more importantly implement Dan’s training into your dogs routine, now would be the time.

Wrapping Things Up

Although it might not seem like the worst behavior in the world, nibbling is something that can cause an issue in the long term if it’s not addressed sooner rather than later.

Even if your dog is NOT nibbling out of aggression, if you don’t nip it in the bud at an early stage, even playful nibbling can turn to painful biting. Even if it is innocent and well-intentioned.

Just like many other frustrating behaviors that your dog might exhibit, obsessive nibbling is thankfully something you can put a stop to before it becomes a significant problem.

By following the techniques highlighted above in this post, it’s very possible you’ll see some changes in your dog’s nibbling behavior in no time at all.

Why Does My Dog Nibble Me? – How To Deal With A Dog That Nibbles