2yo Great Dane sucking on couch cushions…
What about it?
Back story: husband and I got a Great Dane puppy 2 years ago, and he had been passed around from family to family in a very short time before we adopted him. A month-ish after getting him we moved into a new home that we were in the process of buying.
All has been wonderful except he started to suck/suckle on blankets and pillows. We got a crate for the blankets and no longer have decorative pillows. In the last month or so he has turned to our couch…he will suck on the corners of the cushions and it’s super slimy and gross…
Typically I leave for work first, and husband leaves about an hour later. However, I am a teacher on summer break (hence the last month or so) and he tends to do it when husband leaves first now and I sleep in a little later. I do want to include that he is not alone during this time. We have a 3yo GSD/Husky as well.
From what I have read and researched, I presume the behavior is associated with anxiety and/or him being taken from his mom too soon when he was born. I have also read that we are not to scold him for this action, the items he’s choosing to suck on are closely related to husband and I, and he is essentially comforting himself if we aren’t around.
He ruined our last couch, and we have only had this one for about 6/7 months. My hope is that I can divert his behavior into a more appropriate item: toy, his own blankie, a stuffy, anything.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!