Why is my older dog suddenly sucking his blanket after neutering?

This is typically associated with the nursing behavior seen in puppies. Adults dogs who do this behavior do it for comfort, as it mimics how puppies nurse from their mother. You can take away her access to blankets to stop her from doing this. If it isn't possible to take away her access, I would distract her immediately when she tries to do this behavior. Try to engage her play or give her a toy filled with a treat to move her attention away from the blanket. Encourage any behavior that is positive and doesn't involve sucking on blankets with praise, attention, and treats.

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.

Yes, ive seen this in several dogs. I’ve found that the ones that were separated from their mother at a young age to do this more. Most dogs do grow out of this behavior after they are adults. Giving soft toys for them to cuddle and suck on will prevent some of this behavior on your blankets. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sprocket.

Poor Bella! Dobermans are a bit notorious for their suckling behavior either on their flanks or on blankets, or beds in this case. The majority of the time, this is an anxiety-induced compulsive behavior. The goal should be trying to reduce any anxiety or stress-inducing triggers, but it is possible that her urine leakage could be stressful to her. You can try using calming pheromone collars or diffusers, such as Adaptil. Severe cases of ongoing suckling will sometimes need to be started on anxiety medications. Bella's urine leakage could be due to urinary incontinence (not uncommon in young spayed female dogs), urinary tract infection, crystals in the urine or bladder stones. To start, I would recommend taking Bella to her vet for an exam and urinalysis. If there is no evidence of infection or crystals on the urinalysis, her vet may discuss starting Bella on medication to improve the urethral sphincter's ability to contract and hold urine. If infection is present, antibiotics will be needed. As I'd mentioned, it is possible that Bella's urinary issues are stressful to her and are triggering this suckling behavior. I hope that all goes well!

My dog did this also. He was taken away from his mother very young so this seems to be a nursing reflex. Mine did it when he was happy and cuddly. It's not a problem unless Levi is eating pieces of the blankets or bedding. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Levi.

It sounds like Saxon is masturbating. Even though he is neutered, he still may be prone to doing it because it feels good. It's normal behavior, but if you don't want him to do this in the middle of the night, keep him from sleeping in your room. Best of luck.

Has anything changed in the household? New people? New pets? Babies who started crawling/walking? Construction? Guests? Change of furniture? Changed schedules of routine? Etc.. Sometimes when there is some type of change it can strike up this behavior because they are anxious and trying to figure out what to do with themselves. They can also do it if they are trying to portray dominance. You can tell him "no" and take his toy away. If there is a particular toy that he likes to hump, I would get rid of it. You can also give him a calming chew like composure and a calming collar like adaptil. I hope this helps!