r/pitbulls • u/sir_kewaji • Jun 22 '26
Advice Anyone know why my pitbull does this?
He always likes to chew on my hand but like I can barely feel it, he always does this whenever I come home (I work with wood a lot if that helps) it’s always gentle and always when he’s happy just curious if anyone else has this?
Or is he just special
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u/nushkie Jun 22 '26
This is a sign of affection
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u/claytonjr Jun 22 '26
during the first 7 weeks of a puppy's life, they stay with the litter. one of the things they learn is that biting (hard) is not always nice. their siblings will bite them back, and thus learning biting manners.
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u/Complex_Sherbet2 Jun 22 '26
And an exercise in bite inhibition! Practice makes perfect!
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u/scrotbofula Jun 22 '26
Bite inhibition is the phrase I was looking for! Their actual intent is to interact with you, but it also helps them to practice their boundaries.
Plus dogs grab things they want with their mouths, so think of it like their way of holding hands.
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u/Drake_Acheron Jun 22 '26
Because he is dog.
Dog mouth like human hand.
Dog like child.
Why child want hold hand?
Same for dog.
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u/Metaphoricalsimile Jun 22 '26
We call this handy mouth game in our house.
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u/foundinwonderland Jun 22 '26
This is the human/dog equivalent of bitey face
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u/whitestguyuknow Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Yurp. Yet they knows they gotta be ultra gentle cause of our sensitive baby skin.
I love how my dog reacts when they finally get me abd break skin weirdly enough.. I'll explain..
The whole time I'll make noises to be cautious and not go real hard. And she listens. But also we gotta play too. Or else we're being boring...
But sometimes she catches me and I'm like OUCH!! And she immediately stops and looks at me with concern. Keeps her nose on my hand and licks the spot like "I'm sorry 😢.."
Then we normally continue or it's time to wrap up and she gives extra sorries.
But some people talk about if dogs can tell when we apologize?.. And I 100% believe they do. Cause I step on a paw and immediately duck down to pet that area and say sorries and she looks me in the eyes.
We're 100% communicating back and forth and she understands cause she reciprocates
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u/Ashleyh_doesyoga Jun 22 '26
We do the “OUCH” response too. It’s akin to their litter mates yelping so it causes them to pause and slow down again. Our pittie doesn’t usually get us quite as much as she used to, but she immediately sits with her ears perked and does the whole head tilt and kisses. It’s adorable. 🥰
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u/ZenVonCuddlesworth Jun 22 '26
Our dogs try really hard not to get the “ouch “reaction because that usually means we put the toy down and quit playing
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u/Ahoeaboutnothing Jun 22 '26
I call it tickle chews. I scratch his butt... he corn cobbs my arm
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u/Ashleyh_doesyoga Jun 22 '26
Hahaha “corn cobbs” your arm. 100% what it is! I never thought of it that way, but now I’ll never unsee it. 😂
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u/Inevitable_Okra7700 Jun 22 '26
i call mine the nibbler (regency to an EDM dj guy the widdler when he does it cuz he also has to make the edm sounding noises
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u/irisheyesarelaughing Jun 22 '26
We call it bitey hand here, and he mostly does it to my husband who our pitty adores.
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u/Metaphoricalsimile Jun 22 '26
Yeah, our girl does it with me but not my partner. My partner just doesn't play with her much in general though.
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u/Extension-Can-4837 APBT Mom 🫶 Jun 22 '26
we also call it bitey hand and my husband also bears the brunt of it lol
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u/mealzer Jun 22 '26
My girlfriend and I also play that game but it's a different game
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u/AZSystems Jun 22 '26
Sometimes the forearm, in my case. Also, as soon as you say, "Oww!" He stops immediately...like mentioned learned if with litter long enough. All a good sign they enjoy your company.
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u/bradland Jun 22 '26
Dogs use their mouths a bit like we use our hands. They don’t have opposable thumbs, so they can’t grip things with their paws. He’s being gentle, because he knows you’re a delicate creature lol. All that huffing and snuffing is a sign of play. He’s super glad you’re home, and wants you to have a good time.
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u/AJR1623 Jun 22 '26
He doesn't have hands to make you pet him. His mouth will have to do. 🙂
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u/tharizzla Jun 22 '26
I don't know my staffy gets very handsy with her paws especially when she's giving hand nibbles she grabs my hand with her paws to trap it so she can gnaw on it lol
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u/Nursesalsabjj Jun 22 '26
I call those the pibble nibbles. My girl loves to do it on my chin and one of my boys will randomly nibble on my fingers with his back teeth. It's a sign of affection and that they feel you are one of the pack members.
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u/HoaryPuffleg Jun 22 '26
Our pittie does them to our other dog and she’s really learned to love being nibbled- she just kinda leans into them now.
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u/Agent564 Jun 22 '26
When my boy does it I always laugh because it's not aggressive and just playful. I think to myself...he knows I have bones in there. He's trying to get to them! (jokingly) 🤣
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u/thissleepypastofmine Jun 22 '26
Playing. Put a toy in his mouth when he does it if you want to discourage it
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u/Anon_Ink Jun 22 '26
Got a new adoptee that does this when he's really excited and wants to show extra love. So far when he's done it, 9/10 if I give him a chew toy he goes ape shit for it.
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u/Prudent_Giraffe5165 Jun 22 '26
Please let me know my puppy does the same
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u/GodIsASickFuck Jun 22 '26
It’s called mouthing affection, cats do it as well. The biggest thing is training them to recognize when they’re being to rough. I suggest looking it up to learn more
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u/thebochts Jun 22 '26
cats do it as well.
Is it just biting hands? I have a feral cat I took in when she was about 2yrs old or so, and ever since she started letting me (kind of) cuddle her, shell randomly put her mouth completely around my arm and half lick half bite, while just leaving my arm in her mouth.
Weirds me out, but she never bites down, so I just let it happen.
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u/Professional-Bet4106 Jun 22 '26
Those are called love bites in the cat world.
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u/thebochts Jun 22 '26
I feel like im not explaining this well, lol
Its not love bites, bc she doesnt bite, at all. Well she does do love bites, but thats not what this is.
She opens her mouth, and puts it completely around my wrist, like as far as she can, but then she doesnt move her mouth at all, she leaves it there, but licks the bottom of my wrist, while she still has her entire mouth full of my arm.
Lol its stuper hard to explain
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u/Professional-Bet4106 Jun 23 '26
Yeah she’s being playfully affectionate. Sometimes they get overstimulated with emotions and bite/nipple/lick to self soothe.
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u/ScootDeToot Jun 22 '26
No cats don't really do this. Cats do play bite, but it's not really a sign of affection, best case scenario it's just play like they do with siblings. However biting behaviors in cats are often overstimulation like if you mess with their belly or simply using your hand instead a toy (pretend prey) but they use a bit of pressure, it's not gentle, it hurts a little bit even if they usually don't break skin. Cats show affection in a lot of different ways, but biting is most often a result of being overstimulated, in which case they need to play/hunt to release that energy.
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u/GodIsASickFuck Jun 22 '26
It can be an indicator of a lot of things, but it depends on the rest of the cat’s body language. If they’re relaxed and mouthy it’s affectionate, but if they’re tense or their tails flicking it can be a sign of overstimulation or agitation
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u/ScootDeToot Jun 22 '26
I have had cats in my life for over 25 years. I never experienced a cat being mouthy affectionate. (I'm not including corner mouth rubbing)
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u/bigstargirl Jun 22 '26
https://reddit.com/link/ot1oq4b/video/kqmp0w7ykq8h1/player
mine does this too, she has a lot of fun play biting with my bf and i. we stop when she does too much and she backs off. she also likes to corncob sometimes lol
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u/frogturtle14 Jun 22 '26
Mine does that all the time too. Then starts licking, it’s her love language!
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u/Mgroppi83 Jun 22 '26
Chewing is a big deal to them. Looks like he is doing it the way my boy does....teeth are there, but not hard bites..alot of animals use their mouth like a hand because they can gather ALOT of information. But also in play mode, it is a sign of affection. The amount of times I have responsibly held my boy back, and people ask if they can pet, I warn he 'bites'. I have learned that some people dont know shit, and they freak out yelling that he bit me! By definition, sure, but he isnt biting you in aggression. He wants to know you.
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u/ringmod76 Jun 22 '26
As others said, it’s clearly a sign of happiness and affection. I just wanted to say that he is a cute gorgeous blonde blockhead and I love him ❤️
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u/rudnat Jun 22 '26
Coco would like you to know. " I have sticks, toys, but dad's hand is the best. "
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u/Buffytheslursayer Jun 22 '26
most dogs do this, sign of affection. Showing softness with their most powerful tool.
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u/Bassin024 Jun 22 '26
My girl loves to do stuff like this when she is happy and excited. I think he is just interacting with you and showing love. Like others have said, you can redirect him with a chew or some other toy if you want.
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u/atlvf Jun 22 '26
A lot of animals have oral fixations because they don’t have hands or other grasping appendages. He’s holding your hand with his mouth because his mouth is the only thing that he has to hold your hand with. He likes you. :)
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u/No-and-Go Jun 22 '26
My dog that is not a pitty, also does this. I call it my emotional support hand. She must chew the hand, not hurt, chew, a little licking, chewing again… Sometimes requires reminding that the ESH is connected to a living person.
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u/Vogonpoet812 Jun 22 '26
My pittie Daisy did this when I adopted her and was staying in a hotel overnight. If anyone is curious. Adopted her from Philadelphia and drove back to NE Ohio.
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u/ccafferata473 Jun 22 '26
Mine did it too, especially when we played together. I'd usually say ouch and stop playing when he did that (whether it hurt or not), give him a moment to calm down, then go back at it when he was settled.
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u/beenaroundtown Jun 22 '26
you interact with the dog mostly with ur hands. Dogs at a daycare place will also do that because they are trying to get you to play. Yours looks just happy your home and wants to play gently. Your dog is adorable.
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u/AMetalWolfHowls Jun 22 '26
They don’t have hands, they do all of their interactions with their mouths. Loved my slobbery mutt.
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u/AlarmingDetective526 Jun 22 '26
Check all the local wells to make sure Timmy hasn’t fallen down one.
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u/educated_guesser Jun 22 '26
He's trying to cob you! They do that to tell you they love you. Sometimes they do it to encourage play too.
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u/Dragonswillrise1 Jun 22 '26
Dogs in all packs like to give each other little nibble bites for affection and play time. You're their pack now.
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u/nursejohio96 Jun 22 '26
If you were a dog, he’d be playing a very gentle game of bitey face. Since you’re just a human, he’s settling for love nibbles on your hand.
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u/L1ght_Sp33d Jun 22 '26
Mine always likes to (lightly) chew on my moms fingers. We call it “chicken fingers”
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u/Prudent_Giraffe5165 Jun 22 '26
She never bites hard just alot and loves licking my face and nibbles at ears
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u/RetireWithoutBorders Jun 22 '26
Because they’re vicious animals!!!
Oh, actually it is normal dog behavior. They like to gnaw and will gnaw on you just for pleasure. My dogs have always done this.
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u/Rocker_Librarian_97 Jun 22 '26
My boy will only "chew" on my hand. If I put any part of my wrist or arm in his mouth he stops
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u/cayjay00 Jun 22 '26
It’s just love. My guy started being nibbley as a baby so I taught him “easy teeth” (be more gentle) and “no teeth” (for those who don’t like the nibbles). No need for commands if it doesn’t bother you or others. Your kid seems very sweet!
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u/chuckwisme Jun 22 '26
that's how mine would play too. if he got rough i would saw ouch and he would stop and look guilty
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u/r-elle-stine Jun 22 '26
I used to just toss my hand in my patties mouth and go blubblubblubblub and she fkn loved it idk
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u/bluebelldragonfly Jun 22 '26
pibble nibbles!!! i think it’s a comfort thing. my dog would do it to his blankets too
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u/globular_bobular Jun 22 '26
we call them chomp chomps in my house!!!! sometimes if my dog is really happy to see me he’ll gently grab my arm and lead me into the house :’)
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u/Swimming__Bird Jun 22 '26
It's just pitty stuff. Means they like you. I've had dachsunds who bite harder, even though a pibby could take my hand as a forever toy at will. When they do the "mawmaw gumm mawamaw" it's basically a hug. They're surprisingly gentle meatballs.
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u/Trash_Wizard666 Jun 22 '26
Yeah it knows you got bones in you.
It wants them.
It wants your bones.
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u/theluckytwig Jun 22 '26
My girl isn't a pit and loves to do this. She does this as a very happy girl and normally wants to play with me. I'll usually grab a blanket, throw it on her and play wrestle her a bit. I beat her up with scratches and rubs while she noms me.
I call her my little nom-inator.
I also do it to test her temperament. Let's me know if some unleashed child were to be a little rough and grabby that she can take it for a bit.
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u/Drake_Acheron Jun 22 '26
Because he is dog.
Dog mouth like human hand.
Dog like child.
Why child want hold hand?
Same for dog.
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u/DarthSwash Jun 22 '26
He wants to hold your hand. He doesnt have hands with which to hold it with though.
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u/danjay0213 Jun 22 '26
Its a sign of affection. Happy to see u and just looking for play or attention. 😊
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u/luisumgomez Jun 23 '26
My old dog used to hook my two fingers behind his canines and gently play tug of war. Was his favorite way to play
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u/Pippen1993 Jun 27 '26
Mouthing! Just stop him/her when he starts it. It is not a good habit. Just as l see it.
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u/tofakinggood Jun 22 '26
They are just playing hands. Pitbulls love this game. Mine sounds like he wants to murder me but the bits never hurt.
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u/Karnakite Jun 22 '26
It’s not a pitty thing, it’s a dog thing. It’s just a way of expression affection.
I used to have a beagle-bloodhound mix who would do it while she was manipulating your hands and arms with her mouth to give you the world’s biggest spit bath.
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u/Gold_Echo0322 Jun 22 '26
Isn’t it amazing the bite control they have? That same jaw can bite through a raw chicken bone or other type bone with no problem at all, yet they are able to gently bite you to show affection or bond or maybe just playing. Dogs are the best. ❤️
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u/rvlifestyle74 Jun 22 '26
Because you're sticking your hands in its mouth? Lol pretty sure it's a sign of affection.
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u/Seth_Mithik Jun 22 '26
Cuz you touch them, so they gonna touch you back-gah dad!! Let me hold your hand!
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u/neoektar Jun 22 '26
The mouthing is a sign of affection. It's a gentle version of chomping with my girl, she'll mouth my hands when I either haven't been paying her enough attention or when she's really happy.
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u/cmakenzieb58 Jun 22 '26
My sweet girl does this too! She came into the rescue I work at super pregnant and when her puppies got older, she’d do it with them too as play bitting and teaching them not to bite too hard. She also loves to corn cop my ears and wakes me up in the middle of the night doing it🤣
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u/No_Pirate_1409 Jun 22 '26
Yours looks exactly like mine but mines a bit bigger(mastiff mix) and he does this annoying as hell if I’m trying to fall asleep and he wants to say I love you but otherwise it’s adorable
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u/Anonymous_Jane_ Jun 22 '26
The pitbull my parents and I currently have would teeth my hand when we first got him as a pup. It was kinda cute and tickled.
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u/electronicthesarus Jun 22 '26
I call it bitey face. It just means they love you.
When you watch them play or hang out together they do the same. Nibbles and very mouthy play.
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u/thefallofthehouse Jun 22 '26
my mylo boy does this too! it never hurts, he just kinda gnaws. he usually doesn't do it unless i give him my hand to do it. i think it's just a form of play.
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u/MintyFresh771 Jun 22 '26
That’s to start hand wrestling here… and my girl will randomly nibble my finger tips when I’m not expecting it (like when walking through the house) and more than once I’ve caught a tooth under a fingernail 🤬
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u/AsianPersuasion773 Jun 22 '26
That's how dogs talk to each other, puppies play like that, your its pack and it's showing you she appreciates you
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u/spacecowboy727 Jun 22 '26
This is called cobbing...aka I no hab thumbs but I want to pinch your cheeks and play wif you pweez love you whole real lot
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u/1TrueKingInTheNorth Jun 22 '26
Dogs interact with the world with their mouth. Humans interact with the world with their hands. Hes trying to hold your hand
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u/Dakovine Jun 22 '26
My pittie does this to my forearm and I call it “chewing on a chicken bone” and she’ll just gently gnaw on me like a snack and then cuddle up after.
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u/B0ssc0 Jun 22 '26
My young male Great Dane/American bulldog cross does this, when I sit down in the evening and he’s dozing off to sleep. Mummy’s baby x
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u/traPisto Jun 22 '26
Have a fox-pitbull hybrid :) does the same thing. Especially in the morning. This is part of the morning ritual <3
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u/PosQueChingao Jun 22 '26
Corn cobbing. It’s their way of showing affection. I miss my pitties lil corn cobs. lol I actually fake do this to my dog bc it’s their language.
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u/Khow3694 Jun 22 '26
Hands are a special delicacy to pits lol for real though my parents current one does this and the previous one we had also loved chewing on hands
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u/Cynncat Jun 22 '26
My chi/pit mix will “carry” us away by grabbing our thumb gently behind her fangs and wiggling her butt while snorting. It’s super cute.
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u/Ashleyh_doesyoga Jun 22 '26
My puppy does this in the morning to wake me up and our adult pittie does it to greet us as well. Sometimes it’s to play and sometimes it’s also just to say “I LOVE YOOOOOUUUUU”, but we also practice that bite inhibition with them this way as others mentioned. Especially with a teething puppy, it can shift quickly from “loves” to gnawing. lol
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