My Bostons will bite into a furry object, such as a stuffed animal, or the outer foam ridge of their bed, and literally bite down for the better part of an hour, horribly fixated on the object, and salivating all the while.

I was told this is a normal 'nursing' episode, but on the other hand they are two years old, and I've also read it's not good to have your pets fixate on any particular object.

Anyone got more info on this?

-mod

Mod, this is the only thing I could find on the topic:

The most dangerous thing about obsessive behavior is that his mind doesn’t recognize limits. An obsessive dog will pursue his fixation regardless of pain, hunger, or other dangerous signals. So if your dog’s charming little habit is beginning to get out of control, consult a professional. It may look funny, but trust me; your dog isn’t having fun.

Dogs can be OCD, I have one myself. The only thing I have been able to do to curb it is destraction. Trying to destract her from whatever she is fixated on. Mine is a compulsive licker. Not of herself, of things...couches, rugs, floors...she licks constantly and it drives me insane. Distraction has been the only thing I can do to make her stop.

In the case of clamping down on the object and just staying like that, can you unclamp the jaw and remove it? I can do that with my Doxies because 1) they are little and 2) they wouldn't bite me. But not all dogs are like this.

Try to remove it from their mouths if that is plausible and distract them. Sometimes it is the result of sheer boredom. I have been told that my dogs licking is a combo of OCD and boredom, so when she gets started I play with her rigorously to get her tired...that is by far the most effective thing to get them to stop. Take them for a brisk walk or engage them in an activity to stop the boredom.

I can easily remove the object without repurcussion. The funny thing is that the second boston learned the same habit and often I find them both clamped down on the same foam bedding at the same time. I typically just break it up because I've been told that fixation generally is not healthy.

It seems like it's some primordial instinct that has gotten it's wires crossed over the years.

-mod

quote:

Originally posted by PixiedustPapillons:

quote:

Originally posted by The Mod:
I can easily remove the object without repurcussion. The funny thing is that the second boston learned the same habit and often I find them both clamped down on the same foam bedding at the same time. -mod

Perhaps "fixation" is not quite the right description. This "nursing" behavior may simply be relaxing to the dogs, as it seems to be to my old papillon. It does not appear to affect any other behaviors or cause any health problems.

Pixie - great point. I do think there can be a distinction made. My goldens prior and my two dogs now have all had their 'comfort toys' - whether it is a Kong or a fluffy, stuffed animal. Both dogs here now grab a toy or nylabone or such and can happily wile away a half hour with a gnaw and lick and grasp fest. It's always kind of reminded me of someone knitting or perhaps playing solitaire.

quote:

Originally posted by Lorraine:

quote:

Originally posted by PixiedustPapillons:

quote:

Originally posted by The Mod:
I can easily remove the object without repurcussion. The funny thing is that the second boston learned the same habit and often I find them both clamped down on the same foam bedding at the same time. -mod

Perhaps "fixation" is not quite the right description. This "nursing" behavior may simply be relaxing to the dogs, as it seems to be to my old papillon. It does not appear to affect any other behaviors or cause any health problems.

Pixie - great point. I do think there can be a distinction made. My goldens prior and my two dogs now have all had their 'comfort toys' - whether it is a Kong or a fluffy, stuffed animal. Both dogs here now grab a toy or nylabone or such and can happily wile away a half hour with a gnaw and lick and grasp fest. It's always kind of reminded me of someone knitting or perhaps playing solitaire.

What the mod describes does sound like object fixation. Their is no gnawing, likcing or pacifying with this object. If the dog is truly clamping down its jaw on the object and just sitting there, salivating, not really moving, this is not "nursing". It is a fixation.

I know what you and PP are talking about and my dog will do that with her many toys, but if you read the mod's post this dog is just clamping down on it unmoving, fixated, afraid to let it go for whatever reason.

Distraction is still the only thing I know of to help reduce this behavior. Remove the object from the mouth and from the dogs line of vision (I realize this is its bed cushion, but might be best to remove it from the room for awhile).

Good distinction, DC. I see that - and agree. Redirection in Mod's case (Mod's dogs, anyway LOL) - kind of the same for toddlers who may be on the verge of escalating to less-than desirable behavior.

I had seen the "2 years old," Pix and kind of ran with that as well, having seen what I mention above in pups and adults. Still, DC has a point in that their is no lick/grapple etc. going on but just a clamping (which could - if, say, a new dog was introduced escalate into a bit of aggression).

Here is where I say: I like this thread!
Here is where I also say that I am off to get my hair done, but will check back in a while.

quote:

Originally posted by PixiedustPapillons:

quote:

Originally posted by The Mod:

I was told this is a normal 'nursing' episode,
-mod

This is the part that made me feel that "fixated" may not be the right diagnosis.

Hmm, what he describes tho does not sound like a nursing action. If they are clamped down on it salivating, and not chewing or gnawing, sounds more fixated. I wonder if it is a dominant thing, as in to keep the other boston away from the object? It does not sound like it could be pleasant for the dog to just clamp down, salivating and stay like that for a good part of an hour. Sounds like it could also be a control/dominance issue.

Regardless of which, best to distract the dog and give it one of the "nursing" type toys as Lor mentioned like the kongs and such. Mod, do you keep an ample supply of toys that are okay for them to chew on?

That would be quite a nerve wracking thing to watch a dog clamped down on a cushion that length of time!