Just like people, some dogs rely on special routines to help them settle down when they're feeling particularly anxious. Truffle the Long-Haired Dachshund's method includes his favorite stuffed bear to self-soothe, and it's too adorable.
In a recent TikTok video shared by @truffletheweenie, the Dachshund does something similar to thumb-sucking to decompress, and he's not alone—many dogs do it. So what is it? Truffle's mom explains it. Take a look!
"This is the equivalent of sucking on their thumb," the video begins. "It's called nooking. It helps them cope with stress or anxiety."
The 26-second video shows Truffle with his head resting on his stuffed bear, who he sleeps with every night. The thumb-sucking his mom is talking about refers to the way dogs nibble on their stuffies or blankets. Truffle seems to be taking a break in this captured moment, but you can tell where his mouth nibbled on the stuffie ,because it's slightly wet.
"Don't stop them from doing this, just let it happen," the caption reads.
Among Truffle's more than 26,000 followers, many fans chimed in to say this is a familiar act for their pups, too. Though, they weren't aware of why they were doing it or that it had a name.
"Our dog started doing this with a stuffed eggplant my son won in a claw machine!" one person wrote. "My boy does this every night with his bedtime bear," another said. "Oh my gosh! My dog does this with his jumbo lambie, too!" another added.
This adorable coping mechanism isn't only relatable to pet parents, but this form of self-soothing is such a cute sight to witness.
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Common Reasons Dogs "Nook"
There are many names for the self-soothing behavior , such as nooking, cobbing, nibbling, or suckling, and they're all generally the same thing. According to The American Kennel Club, the act of sucking on blankets or stuffies goes back to a dog's puppyhood, when they did this to get milk. Even when the milk dried up, some pups continued suckling because it made them feel safe and secure.
While some dogs grow out of this phase, others don't and carry it into adulthood. It can also happen if a puppy was weaned too soon.
This self-soothing act is a perfectly normal relaxation technique that releases endorphins, and as long as it doesn't become compulsive or all-consuming, it's fine. If they're doing it too often or instead of other activities like eating, consult a vet as there may be an underlying issue. Otherwise, let them nook, cob, nibble, or suckle to their little heart's content, just like Truffle!
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