Hi can anyone give me some advice please, when my 3 year old staffy comes for cuddles and I stroke her she sometimes gets a bit excitied and starts nibbling my ear or nibbling my arm, why does she do this?, she also chases her tail alot.

About the tail chasing
Tail chasing is normal for excited and playful puppies or kittens. However, it can also be a sign of itching and inflammation at the base of the tail, lower back, or anus caused by allergies, liver disease, fleas, or anal sac disease. Tail chasing can also be the start of a compulsive disorder

How to Stop Your Dog From Chasing His or Her Tail

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog Bones
  
• Dog Leashes
  
• Dog Toys
  
• Dog Treats
  

Step 1:
Avoid encouraging the behavior with praise, regardless of how funny tail chasing looks.

Step 2:
Allow very young, happy puppies to chase their tails for one minute. Then ignore the behavior.

Step 3:
Play with your puppy and take him for a walk to release excess energy that often accompanies tail chasing.

Step 4:
Ignore the behavior completely in older dogs by doing and saying nothing - even if that means leaving the room.

Step 5:
Always have chew toys available. Stress often triggers the behavior.

Step 6:
Have your veterinarian screen the animal to rule out causes and provide proper treatment. Drug therapy may be needed in certain cases.

Step 7:
Consult a pet behaviorist for compulsive tail chasers.


Tail chasing may look cute, but left unchecked, it can become an obsessive/compulsive behavior that can lead to self-mutilation.


About the nibbling i think it`s normal behavior cos all the staffy`s i know do it
Think it`s like defleaing

Shoei also nibbles our ear, not always, sometimes . When we ignore him or don't give him the attention he wants Shoei sometimes chases his tail. But we end it right away. We tell him to stop and give him an order like come here and stay or lay down. This works for him.

thank's everyone for your help and advice, it's nice to be able to ask these questions to people who know so much about staffies

my dogs always nibbles my ears tooo they never do it hard

I know, you just end up with a ear full of slobber

Hardtrackz has it to a tee.... Brilliant advice

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