Why Do Weimaraners Nook? Breed Behavior Explained & FAQs
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Owning a dog opens you up to a world of love, companionship, and fun. You’ll also find that every dog breed has quirks or habits that can be endearing or downright annoying. Huskies are escape artists that get into a lot of mischief. Basset Hounds are known for their endearing bellowing. But have you ever watched a Weimaraner nook? This adorable behavior is used by this dog breed and others as a way to self-soothe or comfort themselves. Of course, not every Weim is going to suckle their blankets and toys, but with this breed, a lot of them do. Let’s learn a bit more about nooking, Weimaraners, and whether this habit is something Weim owners should worry about.
A Bit About Weimaraners
The origins of the Weimaraner breed can be traced back to Germany in the early 19th century. The Grand Duke of Weimar was an active sportsman and wanted a dog that could be bold, intelligent, and fearless as his perfect hunting partner. He had several hunting dog breeds crossed to create the Weimaraner.
This new dog breed was a loyal hunting partner and did great at reducing the threat of predators in the area. When hunting, they used their amazing senses to detect the prey and would point it out to their hunting partner. Europeans often used this breed to flush out wolves and even bears. By the 1920s, the breed had made its way to the United States. In 1943, the American Kennel Club recognized the Weimaraner and their popularity has grown since.
Weims are an intelligent dog breed that loves to stay active. They are friendly and extremely loyal to their owners. Due to their hunting background, don’t be surprised if you find your Weim investigating wildlife or alerting you to any visitors to your property. They do well with children and love to play, however, their lankiness and clumsiness can make them a bit dangerous for small children or toddlers.
Weims are not big fans of being alone. They love being with their families. They often experience separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Weims are also highly intelligent and listen well during training sessions, making them an excellent breed for most homes.
Why Do Weimaraners Nook?
If you aren’t familiar with nooking, it’s when your pet suckles on a soft toy or blanket as a way of self-soothing. As we mentioned before, the action can be quite adorable to witness, but some owners feel it can become a bit much. While many associate nooking with Weimaraners, they aren’t the only breed that does it. Another breed that is known for this habit is the Doberman.
Let’s take a look at a few reasons why your Weimaraner may be nooking so you can better understand this little habit.
Anxiety
Just like us, dogs can suffer from anxiety. Certain dogs get more nervous than others. This can be brought on by new situations, loud noises, or being alone too much. With Weims, separation anxiety is a huge issue. These dogs are very social. When you must be away from your Weim, don’t be surprised if they spend a lot of that time nibbling and suckling on their favorite toy or blanket. It helps them cope until you find your way back home.
Relaxation
Nooking isn’t always a sign that something is upsetting your Weim. These dogs often nook as a way of winding down or relaxing after a long day. It’s quite common to find a Weim nooking before going to bed at night or before stretching out for a midday nap.
Boredom
These dogs are extremely energetic which means they can get bored quite easily. If you aren’t getting your Weim out and about for enough exercise, you may notice them nooking more than usual. If you take on the responsibility of this dog breed, be prepared to stay active. These dogs need exercise and interaction to stay happy and healthy.
Calming Down
Whether they’ve had an exciting or a bad day, Weims often nook to calm down. This self-soothing action helps them deal with their excitement without frantically bounding around your house at all hours of the day and night.
Is Nooking Bad?
In most instances, if your Weim’s nooking doesn’t bother you, it isn’t an issue. However, there are a couple of things you should pay close attention to.
Pica
Pica is a disorder that can be found in humans and animals. It is when the body craves non-food items to ingest. Having a Weim that nooks does not mean they have pica. However, if you begin to notice that your Weim is digesting fabric from their toys and blankets when they nook, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order as this can lead to obstructions and other digestive issues.
Canine Compulsive Disorder
Canine compulsive disorder can be exhibited by frequent chewing, light chasing, and several other odd behaviors. It’s also possible that dogs, even Weims, that nook frequently could be exhibiting signs of this disorder. If you feel this is the case with your Weim, reach out to your vet for assistance.
Oral Issues
While nooking now and then may not be an issue, if it gets to be too much your Weim could suffer from oral issues. Uncontrollable nooking can wear down their teeth and even cause sores or calluses on their mouths.
Controlling Nooking
If you feel that your Weim is nooking too much, you can step in to help. Starting off, it would be best to remove the soft objects they turn to when nooking. From there, helping fight the reasons they nook is your answer. If your Weim suffers from any type of anxiety, try to remove the issue or spend more time with them. Make sure your Weim is getting a lot of exercise throughout the day and even consider adding skill training to their life to give them something to focus on.
Final Thoughts
Weimaraners are amazing dogs that will be by your side for their entire lives. While they have a habit of nooking, unless they are ingesting fabric or can’t be redirected when it’s happening, they should be fine. You know your dog better than anyone. If you think nooking is interfering with your dog’s daily life, then it’s up to you to pinpoint what’s going on and step in to help your dog. If not, a bit of soothing on a toy is a cute habit to have, right?
Featured Image Credit: Helen Sushitskaya, Shutterstock
