Has your dog ever nibbled on you with his front teeth? By nibble, I mean a light, gentle, and playful chewing action that mimics how we eat corn on the cob. In fact, some pet parents call this action “Corn Cobbing.” Many dog parents find it adorable — and I’m raising my hand here. Not only have my two dogs nibbled on me before, but I’ve also watched them do it to each other. Plus, I’ve caught them nibbling away on their favorite toys, our bed sheets, and even fresh laundry.
Let me start by saying this: Nibbling is a normal dog behavior. Still, this quirky action may leave you looking at your dog and wondering, “What the heck are you doing?!”
Nibbling, Mouthing, and Biting Are Not the Same
To ensure we’re on the same page, let’s quickly break down nibbling, mouthing, and biting … because they’re not the same.
- Nibbling: Often called Corn Cobbing, is gentle chewing with the front teeth (AKA incisors). To stress once more, this does not include the whole mouth … just the front teeth.
- Mouthing: From the time our dogs are just wee pups, they begin to explore the world with their mouths. As they explore and play, they wrap their mouth around anything and everything — including your hands. While mouthing includes the whole mouth, your dog’s bite inhibition will kick in and they typically won’t apply pressure.
- Biting: This is a full-mouth chomp and is often the result of fear or frustration. Dogs can bite to protect themselves, their humans, their puppies, their food, or one of their favorite toys. Before biting, dogs typically give some warning signs. They include tail between legs, lowered head, ears down, exposing teeth, and growling. It’s their way of saying, “Back off or I’ll bite you.” You can read more about dog bites HERE.
What Does it Mean When My Dog Nibbles On Me (or Another Dog)?
Affection
Love and affection are reportedly the main reasons dogs nibble on their humans. Picture this: You’re cuddling with your pup when he suddenly begins licking and nibbling on your arm. You notice his lips are slightly lifted and he’s lightly chewing on you quickly and rhythmically. No, your dog isn’t being aggressive or trying to bite you. This is simply one of many ways your pup is saying, “I love you!”
Grooming
I have two dogs: a toy Poodle named Gigi and a Chihuahua named Diego. Occasionally, I’ll catch Gigi licking Diego’s face. It’s the sweetest scene. Sometimes, she gets a little carried away with her lick session and those licks turn into full-on nibbles. This is her way of caring for and grooming Diego. Why? Well, it ultimately comes back to love and affection.
Attention/Playtime
If your pup nibbles on you or another canine friend while seemingly ready to play (perhaps their wiggling booty is up in the air), this could also be their way of communicating that excitement. As puppies, dogs nibble on each other when playing and socializing, so it makes sense they would do the same to you (AKA a trusted family member).
Stress Relief
Sure, dogs don’t have to deal with demanding jobs and piles of bills, but they have their own stressors. And when dogs feel stressed out or anxious, there are a few actions that can help calm their nerves. Nibbling is one of them!
If Your Dog Nibbles On Himself
If you spot your dog nibbling on his own paws or skin, this could be an indicator of allergies, parasites (such as fleas or ticks), or something stuck in their fur. Keep an eye out and schedule a vet visit if this behavior persists.
Correcting Behaviors Involving the Mouth
Nibbling is normal, and there’s really nothing wrong with it. Still, most trainers advise pet parents to discourage mouth play, as those gentle nibbles could turn into accidental bites if your dog gets overly excited.
When working to correct nibbling and mouthing, don’t punish. Your dog is only doing what comes naturally. Instead, redirect your dog’s attention. Replace your hand with a more appropriate chew stick or toy. And once your pup’s focus changes, remember to praise them for good behavior!
