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Why does my dog nibble my ear? It is the most common question that most dog owners ask. It is an attribute of dogs to express their love and friendly nature for their owners. No other animal can beat dogs when we talk about loyalty and companionship. They show affection towards their owners by jumping and licking. Dogs are friendly, and they emotionally attach to humans in no time.
Dogs are all unique and have different characteristics. Some dogs love mud, some love to spend time indoors, and some jump on the floor like in spring. Along with twirling around his owner, a dog loves licking and nibbling on ears. But what is the reason behind biting and licking? Let’s find out.
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Dogs nibble/bite their owners’ ears to show affection and express their feelings that they are comfortable with their surroundings. Most of all, this act shows their playful nature and grooming. But is it ok to allow your dog to continue this licking/nibbling habit? Does it not harmful for owners to let their dogs lick?
In this blog post, we will explore why dogs nibble the ears of their owner and offer tips on managing this behavior. By understanding the motivations behind this behavior, we can learn to better communicate with our furry companions and strengthen the bond we share.
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Is It Normal For Dogs to Nibble Ears?
As your puppy grows into a dog, they continuously learn about environmental changes. They ought to develop feelings about their surroundings through the senses of smell & taste. Whether it is licking/biting or nibbling, dogs become comfortable around their surroundings through these attributes.
It is usual for a dog to bite the ears of its owner because it is easy to get a grip on them. However, biting your ears can be very hurtful, even if your dog does not mean to hurt you. Dogs bite/nibble ears because of several reasons.
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Why Does My Dog Nibble My Ear?
There are many reasons why a dog may nibble on their owner’s ears:
1. Explore your taste
Why does my dog bite my ear? Do you also ask your this question to your vet? Dogs like to explore your taste. After sweating, some salt is left on your skin which entices your dog to lick it. Moreover, ear wax has an odd taste, enough for your dog to bite your ear.
2. Shows Affection
Biting or licking the ear is another way for dogs to show their love and affection for their owners. If a dog is only licking/nibbling your ear without using teeth, then don’t worry; your dog adores you.
3. Like Odd Smells
Unlike humans, dogs have a great sense of smell and taste. A dog is always attracted to odd smells. Another reason for dogs’ biting/licking of ears is because they like the smell of ear wax. Moreover, your pet also licks/nibbles on you if you wear any lotion or perfume.
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4. Having Fun
One of the most common reasons a dog bites/nibble is that your dog is having fun. Dogs also show their play side by nibbling or licking their owners. Dogs are always energetic and often lick/bite/nibble to play with their owner.
5. Want your Attention
Why does my dog bite my ear? Don’t worry; your dog bites or nibbles you because he wants something from you. If you have been ignoring your dog a bit lately, then be ready for some licking attack. Since dogs cannot speak or communicate with their owner, nibbling is his way of saying, “I want your attention.”
6. Release Stress
Like humans, dogs can also get tired and tired. A dog nibbles on his owner’s ears or chews on gentle things to release tension and stress. If your dog is continuously licking your ear he can’t seem to stop, then don’t worry; your dog is feeling stressed. Identify and find the source of tension in your dog’s behavior and try to resolve it.
7. To Release Pain
All puppies have to go through a teething phase to enter adulthood. Teething is not easy; it is a long and painful phase. If your dog does not stop to nibble on your ear lately, then introduce some soft toys. They are easy to grasp and effectively help dogs during their teething phase.
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Does Dogs Nibbling/Licking Harmful?
However, this act of your dog is not harmful to him, but with time, it might be for you. The habit of biting ears for fun and playfulness might convert into aggression as your dog ages. Vets recommend dog owners prevent their dogs from adapt this addiction:
- Even it is an act of dogs to show love, acceptance, and friendly nature for their owners. There are more chances that you quickly catch ear infections and harmful nips.
- As puppy ages, they use biting/licking actions to show dominance and leadership. A dog will bite your ear forcefully with aggressive growling to boss you.
- Another crucial reason to stop your pet from developing this habit is the spread of potentially contagious ear infections. Biting/licking the ears of different humans and from other animals to humans provides an excellent opportunity for breakthroughs of ear infections.
How to Stop a Dog From Biting?
You can stop your dog from biting your ears with training and a positive discouragement attitude. Like other addictions, this biting habit of your dog will take quite some time to fade. Consistency and a positive attitude are the keys. Take your time with things; strict training is not easy, and it is much more difficult if you train a full-grown dog.
Let’s learn tricks on how to stop a dog from biting:
1. Identify the Reason
The first step in training your dog is to find the reason and understand what is encouraging your pet to bite or nibble on your ear.
Despite being in a playful mood, sometimes dogs use biting attributes to express their anger and nervousness. Ears are soft and easy to grip; dogs find it an easy-to-reach spot to gnaw during the teething phase.
2. Bring New Toys
Dogs also develop this nibbling or biting habit out of boredom. If you notice this behavior in your pet, then waste no time introducing new toys.
You can use soft toys for chewing during the painful teething phase.
3. Introduce New Habits
If your pet is adapting biting/nibbling ears as a habit, it is time to divert their attention. Introducing a new practice will help you to take your dog’s attention away from biting.
4. Exercise May Work
Sometimes dogs bite ears and other things around them out of boredom. Depending on your puppy’s breed and age, their boredom and tantrums increase.
Dogs quickly get irritated if they are not getting enough exercise to burn some energy. Dogs also bite your ears to entertain them. Introduce new practices and go for walks more often. Moreover, biting your ears is another sign that your pet wants to poop. So increase your walking time and give your dog enough time to relieve himself.
Final Words
Puppies learn about the environment and understand their surrounding through their sense of smell and taste. Biting/nibbling on the ears of your or another animal/pet is normal in the dog as it helps them groom. But it can convert into an annoying habit. Pinpoint the reason, and consistent training will help your dog to overcome this irritating habit.
