Are you a dog parent? Then your dog’s habit of gently chewing or mouthing human friends or even other objects like blankets or toys might be leaving you confused, especially if you are a first-time pet owner. This trait is called cobbing and it can be a difficult behavior to overcome.
What does it mean when a dog is “cobbing?”
When a dog is cobbing, it generally refers to gentle, harmless, and painless nibbling of things. While cobbing, the pooch usually pulls back their upper and lower lips to gently use their front teeth to nibble on you, other pets, or on themselves. Since this action resembles the human action of nibbling at a corn cob, it’s named “cobbing.”
There are various reasons why dogs engage in this behavior, including expressing their affection and bonding with other pets or with you, for grooming and cleaning their fur, and to show their willingness to play.
Dogs also nibble to get attention, to sometimes scratch an itch on their body, and to relieve stress and anxiety. However, if you have a pup, chewing could also be a sign of teething.
How do I stop my dog from cobbing?
While cobbing might seem harmless at first. It is important to keep a close eye, as it might turn into aggressive behavior sometimes.
If you notice your dog is cobbing excessively, stop them by increasing their mental and physical stimulation through walks, runs or agility training. You can use toys, puzzle feeders and more for the stimulation.
Also try to identify if your dog is cobbing due to some trigger like boredom, anxiety, or does it happen in a particular situation or with a specific object. Once to address the potential triggers, act on them accordingly by distracting or engaging your pooch with something else.
However, if cobbing gets aggressive or increases despite all efforts, consult a vet immediately. This will help to rule out any medical issue that may be contributing to cobbing or nibbling.