Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

When your dog starts to nibble, it's often a sign of grooming behavior. Consider how dogs groom each other or even themselves – they use their teeth to scratch and clean themselves gently. This is particularly true if you have a multi-dog household and have observed them interacting. When they transfer this behavior to you, it's often an extension of that instinctual action.

One of the most heartwarming reasons your dog might nibble you is as a display of affection. This is especially true if the nibbling is soft, gentle, and accompanied by other signs of contentment like leaning into you, soft eyes, or a relaxed body posture. It's a way for them to show they care and feel connected to you, much like a mother dog might groom her puppies. This gentle mouthing can be a form of "allogrooming," which strengthens social bonds within a pack.

Sometimes, the nibbling behavior is referred to as "flea biting." While your dog isn't actually looking for fleas on you (hopefully!), this term highlights the quick, short nips they might use. It's often a very comforting and soothing action for them, reminiscent of the comfort they might have experienced from their mother or littermates. This type of nibbling is almost always a positive sign, indicating a sense of security and trust.

Especially in younger dogs or those with a very playful demeanor, nibbling can be an invitation to play. If the nibbling is a bit more energetic and your dog is wagging their tail, bowing, or bringing you a toy, they're likely trying to initiate a game. It's important to differentiate playful nibbling from aggressive biting. Playful nibbles are generally soft and don't exert much pressure.

Dogs are smart, and they quickly learn what gets your attention. If nibbling has resulted in you looking at them, petting them, or talking to them in the past, they might use it as a way to get your attention again. If you suspect this is the case, try to redirect their attention to a more appropriate behavior, like sitting or lying down, before rewarding them.

For the most part, gentle nibbling is a harmless and even charming behavior. If you find it uncomfortable or if your dog's nibbles are becoming a bit too enthusiastic, here are a few tips:

In most cases, your dog's nibbling is a testament to their bond with you. It's a unique and often adorable way they communicate their affection, comfort, and desire to interact. So, the next time your canine companion gently "flea bites" you, take it as the compliment it often is – a sign of a happy, well-adjusted, and loving furry friend.

Prevent Choking with the Bow Wow Buddy

Give your dog the joy of chewing without the worry. The innovative Bow Wow Buddy from Bow Wow Labs is engineered to securely hold bully sticks and other chews, preventing those dangerous last few inches from becoming a choking hazard. Now you can relax, knowing your furry friend can safely enjoy every delicious bite while also promoting healthy teeth and gums. Experience true peace of mind with Bow Wow Labs – where safe chewing is a happy chewing.

Check out the Bow Wow Buddy!

POP-Topper is a premium daily supplement for medium-to-large dogs, developed by animal scientists in New Zealand. Clean superfoods like green-lipped mussels, bilberry, and bone broth support joint, immune, and brain health—without fillers or additives.

Try POP-Topper—$49/Month (30 servings)

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

🐶 Refer 10 people: We will donate a box of treats to an animal rescue 🐶

🐶 Refer 50 people: We will donate a bag of dog food to an animal rescue 🐶

🛏 Refer 100 people: We will donate a dog bed to an animal rescue 🛏

{{rp_personalized_text}}

Sources:

Dog of the day: IG teddy_freddy_shichon

Meme of the day: IG luney_doodle