I have a three year old female rottweiler. For as long as we can remember she has had a nursing fettish. She takes blankets or towels and rolls them up to fit all the way to the back of her mouth. She then proceeds to kneed on the blanket with her front paws while nursing the rolled up blanket/towel in her mouth. She will do this for hours. Has ANYONE EVER seen a dog do this? Do you know what makes them do this?

Oh yeah, my four year old GSD does it ALL all the time. He gets bored he does it, he gets frustrated after bitework he does it. He looks so funny when he does it. I have to keep a stuffed animal around because pillow and blankets end up being his victims if nothing else is available. Think how I feel toting around a pink elephant or green dragon so my four year old male GSD can have something to nurse LOL. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> My cousins male Rott also does it but not as much. I think my dog does it for several reasons like being bored. He does that instead of chew up things (fine by me) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> He also does it after he drops the sleeve out of frustration. He has to have something to put his mouth on and so I keep the stuffed animal in there or the carpet or blanket get soaked. He's done it all his life so I just let it go. Just ask Cindy Easton (a moderator). We were at the Nationals in Wisconsin and he sucked her wool sweater til is was soaked. Not a chew mark on it, no damage other than it was wet.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I wasn't WEARING the sweater at the time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

He took it out of my suitcase while we were down in the bar at the host hotel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Just wanted to clear that up before Van Camp chimed in with some little comment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I wasn't thinking ANYTHING DIRTY. I promise. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have a foal that will do that to your sweater when you ARE wearing it if you give her half a chance!

MMMmmmm Soggy grass stained spot!!!!!!!!

I have never heard of this behavior. How common is this? Dogs with oral fixations, who would have guessed? I can't help but wonder what causes it. Did these dogs leave their mothers too early? Did they not get enough love when they were being weened? Was it some kind stress in the formative years? Would a binkie work to save one's clothing?

This is buggin' me.

Since my dog does I have heard many cases of this. Before that I had never heard of it. I bred my dog's litter so I know he wasn't weaned too early. He was never under stress that would cause this as a young puppy and love is an understatement for what this dog received. Personally I think they must get off on it LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Some sort of euphoric feeling. My dog does it when he's bored here at home or after bitework when he drops the sleeve. He does it then out of frustration.

Never had it happen with a dog but did have a cat once that would always try and nurse your earlobes. :rolleyes:

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> This is too funny. We have two bitches that do this, full sisters different litters. We have other dogs off the same lines none of them do this but the two sisters. They get really into it too. You cant get them off, its like they are possessed. Their eyes roll back and close and then they are just out of it in their "sucking" time. I have tried to pry them off and cant they dont even flinch an eye. Its really odd I have always wondered too if they were taken off too soon as we did not breed these two????? Would love to know why they do it glad to hear we are not alone <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />