What makes my dog nibble clothes & furniture? How to stop it?

This may be comfort to him (like a baby with a pacifier). I would make sure that he has a clear bill of health and if so, leave toys that are appropriate to nibble on. Do not allow him to nibble on you. When he tries to, give him a toy or something else and tell him no. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Camellia may have generalized anxiety, or separation anxiety. This can cause dogs to have destructive behaviors, such as chewing excessively, tearing up furniture or clothes, etc. I recommend consulting with your veterinarian about medications that can be given to help reduce anxiety at home, and make dogs much more calm at home. These can include Trazodone, Prozac, Clomicalm, etc. Many dogs tolerate these medications very well and can save them from being relinquished to shelters. I hope this is helpful! Please consider there before rehoming Camellia, as her underlying problems will not go away on their own, and changing homes can actually worsen her signs.

It sounds like Kobe may be exhibiting signs of anxiety. Try to get him back on a regular schedule and make sure he is getting plenty of human interaction and exercise. You can also try supplements like Zylkene or Comfort Zone Adaptil Collars or Diffusers. Also, make sure that Kobe has plenty of appropriate dog toys to chew on if he is bored; you may even get a couple puzzle toys where he has to do something to get a treat to fall out of the toy. When you are gone, remove any clothing or bedding to avoid Kobe chewing off a piece that could potentially get stuck in his intestines. If he starts vomiting or stops eating, he may need an exam with the vet to check for blockage or other illness.

Object sucking (or nibbling) is common in dogs, typically seen in dogs that were [weaned](https://www.petcoach.co/article/weaning-puppies) too early. It is a self-soothing behavior, much like thumb sucking in small children. There is no harm to your dog to engage in this behavior unless she begins to ingest the blankets. Restricting access may actually increase her stress, but you can try to restrict access to the particular room if she has a favorite blanket. If that isn't possible, [calming aids](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids), such as[ pheromone products](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids), may be effective in easing any stress or anxiety causing her to nibble. Try to determine and reduce or eliminate the offending stimulus if there is one.

Many times this is a sign of contentment or self soothing. It can also be an attempt at mutual grooming. In general, as long as she is not being destructive, the behavior is nothing to worry about. I hope this helps.

It's possible Bam Bam has developed an allergy (it could be environmental or food related) or that his thyroid is having problems. Unless you are treating him with a very good, oral flea prevention, fleas should still be on your list. This behavior of suddenly jumping up and biting is very commonly associated with flea bites. At home you can try giving him an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets but it may not correct the underlying cause. This can however improve over all skin health. There are two brands of food, Royal Canin and Nutro, which are aimed at skin health and they may help as well but again, they may not affect the underlying problem. If he does not improve after 2 weeks, I think your best option is to have him examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I certainly understand and sympathize with your situation. I have one younger dog that is much too high energy. I have a few suggestions for you that have helped me, but I would try to figure out anything that has triggered Grizzley's new behavior. When an 8 year old dog has sudden behavioral changes, it is worth going to your veterinarian for an exam and blood work just to make sure nothing is wrong. And if Grizzley is going to risk hurting himself, be sure to keep him in a crate when he is not supervised. As far as keeping Grizzley occupied, one thing that people think of first is treats that keep them busy for a longer period of time. This does seem to help. You can use long lasting treats like a Kong filled with peanut butter, yogurt, treats, etc and frozen so it takes longer for him to eat. My dog also really like Bully Sticks which I also freeze to make them last a little longer. And keep him mentally and physically busy during meal times. I love using a feeding balls like a Buster Cube or Tricky Treat ball to feed meals in. It keeps my dog busy for at least 5-10 minutes at each meal and requires him to work. And speaking of working. I have found that my dog is the most tired after we have done a good round of training. Even if you have done a basic obedience class, I would consider trying an advanced class, a nose work class, a tricks class, etc. And if taking a class isn't an option right now, work on training at home. When he goes on walks, make him sit at each corner before he crosses the street. It sounds simple, but additional mental stimulation can go a long way. Playing with other dogs is a great outlet for energy. If you haven't tried it yet, look into your local dog park or doggy daycare center. Sending my youngest dog to daycare once a week has made a huge difference. There are a number of interactive dog games and toys available now. Outward Hound makes a number of toys that your dog has to figure out a puzzle of some type before they get a treats. Here are some ideas for those. https://www.petco.com/category/dog/dog-toys/interactive-dog-toys/dog-puzzle-toys-and-games I have not tried the Clever Pet yet, but it is an electronic interactive toy that I am intrigued about. https://clever.pet So, I think the key is to vary his activities daily and include a wide range of physical and mental stimulation. Be sure to be creative to tire him out on a regular basis and help everyone keep their sanity. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.