Hello everyone, a few months ago my dog started to nibble on me like he's eating corn on the cob. He does it on my legs and arms and lately my face. It doesn't hurt at all and it's actually really funny when he does it. I just want to know why he does it and what it means.

Thanks!

My dogs do this to. It's not a bite, it's a love nibble. That's my opinion.

That's how dogs give kisses, that's my understanding. Licks are not kisses, it's a greeting, grooming, a community thing. The soft nibbles that don't hurt, when they could really hurt, but they choose not to hurt, are the real kisses.

As long as those nibbles don't turn into bites, it's all good. It's a love thing. Your dog loves you. :)

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Originally Posted by Alty

My dogs do this to. It's not a bite, it's a love nibble. That's my opinion.

That's how dogs give kisses, that's my understanding. Licks are not kisses, it's a greeting, grooming, a community thing. The soft nibbles that don't hurt, when they could really hurt, but they choose not to hurt, are the real kisses.

As long as those nibbles don't turn into bites, it's all good. It's a love thing. Your dog loves you. :)

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Thanks for the reply! I wasn't sure if it was a dominant thing where he's trying to show me he's the boss or something. So that's great news!

Think of it this way. In the wild dogs don't get things like flea treatment, or shots, or any of that stuff. In the wild they rely on grooming to keep fleas at bay, or to take away the bugs and other stuff that is always around.

It's a loving thing to remove fleas, ticks, and skin issues, from your pack mate. How do they do it? They nibble, gently, at the skin.

Not saying you have fleas or ticks, but this gentle nibbling is your dogs way of saying that he cares about you, that he's taking the time to make sure you're tick and flea, and lice and other things, free.

Now, if he bites, or growls when he's doing this, then you have an issue. But love nibbles are just that. Love. :)