Understanding the Difference Between Bites and Nibbles
Before we get into the potential reasons for nibbling, let’s go over the different mouth interactions your dog can have.
The first and most recognizable is biting.
A bite is a full-mouth chomp. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always aggressive! Some dogs will accidentally bite owners when they get too carried away in play.
It might hurt for a second, but those unintentional bites are usually nothing more than a bit of pressure.
Now, full-blown bites are pretty easy to spot before they happen.
Dogs often give warnings before an aggressive bite comes. They might wrinkle their muzzle, expose all of their teeth, and growl. That’s when you know that it’s serious!
Related: Dog Bite Statistics and Dog Attacks in the US
As long as their tail is wagging and you see no other signs of aggression, bites are innocent and accidental.
Nibbling is the playful little chews that dogs do with their front teeth.
The best way to think of it is to imagine your dog chewing corn on the cob! They only use incisors.
The front teeth are flat. They don’t have the sharpness of the canines or the strength that comes with molar-based bites. As a result, nibbles are pretty soft and gentle.
The same goes for mouthing. However, mouthing is usually a whole-mouth nibble. It’s a happy medium between accidental bites and fun nibbles. In most cases, dogs won’t apply pressure when mouthing.
Nibbling is an Instinctive Behavior
Nibbling or cobbing with the front teeth is an instinctive behavior for dogs, especially for puppies. Puppies will learn nibbling behavior as a group and like to play together by softly biting on one another. If the puppy doesn’t have any siblings around, you are going to likely be the next best play toy. This is more of an affectionate play that the puppy remembers from being very young and he engaged in with his mother.
Not only is this instinctive behavior, but it also is one of the most common teething behaviors. Just like with small babies, puppies will gravitate towards anything that could help relieve the pain of teething. If your puppy is nibbling on you as a result of teething, you should purchase some dog chew toys that can help your puppy through the teething process.
When your pit bull was a puppy, it was surrounded by brothers and sisters who nibbled on each other as a sign of acceptance and affection while playing and getting mom’s attention. This began even before they started cutting their teeth, so it included gumming their litter-mates until they developed those jagged, razor-sharp teeth that puppies eventually develop. As their teeth grew, they used them to lovingly nibble each other to maintain familiarity (think high fives instead of handshakes). In the process, they learned restraint, and what amount of pressure was acceptable versus what was past the line of playfulness (mom helped set that straight).
What’s the reason behind the pibble nibble? Unlike most strange pit bull behavior, the answer is pretty straightforward. That doesn’t make it any less interesting or adorale though.
If you are lucky enough to receive a pibble nibble, you’ll notice that it doesn’t hurt, and that certainly wasn’t their intent. But sometimes, they can play a little too hard, which is easy because our bare skin doesn’t have the fur buffer that their siblings did. In that case, experts recommend letting out a high-pitched “yipe,” signalling to your dog that the pressure has crossed your threshold of acceptable play. Personally, when I feel the painless chatter on my finger, I’m honored that my best friend feels comfortable enough to consider me one of his pack.
As your pit bull continued to grow-up with his brothers and sisters, the nibbling became more than just constant positive affirmation; it served the practical purpose of grooming. Combing someone else’s fur through your teeth is a pretty personal way to bond with your buddies, even if it’s your siblings. That’s why the grooming aspect of nibbling is also a sign of affection and acceptance. So why do our pit bulls do this well into adulthood after they’ve been adopted? It’s because they are comfortable around you.
When you see your adult dog do the pibble nibble, it is reverting back to a time when it felt safe and comfortable, surrounded by peers, without a care in the world. We normally see the pibble nibble during spontaneous playtime, perhaps when a toy isn’t immediately available. Pit bulls will not let the absence of toys stop their fun, and will normally improvise with a pillow or blanket. Rest assured that they don’t want to destroy your stuff; they just associate playing with instinctively nibbling on something that reminds them of being surrounded by the first friends they had in life. So now they’re around you, and they feel like they’re back in the care-free environment that made them feel loved and cared for; they feel like a puppy again!
Why does my dog nibble with his front teeth?
Dogs use their teeth for many things — including taking tiny nibbles with only their front teeth. Your dog may use this nibbling technique on his toy, a blanket, a dog friend, or even you. Knowing what the nibble behavior means can help you better understand your dogs needs and what hes trying to communicate.
The most common situation in which you may find your pup nibbling is when he is trying to scratch an itch he cant reach with his back leg. If your dog is nibbling somewhat infrequently, its probably just a minor itch. But if you find your pup nibbling very persistently or for a prolonged length of time, make sure he is not suffering from allergies or another skin irritation.
Some dogs will groom each other by gently nibbling at the back and ears of each other. By pulling his teeth through the fur of another dog, a dog will help groom the other, showing trust and affection. This is often a comforting ritual that is calming to both dogs. You may also notice your pup nibbling at a toy or blanket in a similarly gentle and affectionate way. This is a self-soothing habit that your dog may have learned as a puppy.
In a group situation, such as a dog park, you may see dogs nibbling at each other. This is a playful gesture, and they are most likely trying to incite each other to play or wrestle. Your dog may nibble gently at you as well, if he is in a playful mood or is overly excited during playtime. Some dogs only nip and nibble as puppies, and then grow out of it, but some dogs may continue the behavior through adulthood.
If a dog gives a hard nibble to a dog or a human, he is giving a warning. Before giving a solid bite, a dog will sometimes give a notice or warning that he is not feeling comfortable or is feeling overwhelmed. In such a situation, give the dog plenty of space and try not to make him feel confronted or challenged.
Olivia Kight is an experienced online and print writer and editor. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2012, and has worked on education, family life and counseling publications. She also gained valuable knowledge shadowing a zoo veterinarian and grooming and socialize show dogs, and now spends her time writing and training her spunky young labradoodle, Booker.