When a dog kneads its paws on a soft surface, often accompanied by suckling or licking motions, it is commonly referred to as “making biscuits.” This behavior is instinctual for dogs and has roots in their ancestry. Understanding why dogs make biscuits can provide insight into your pup’s personality and strengthen your bond.
Why Do Dogs Make Biscuits?
There are a few theories as to why dogs demonstrate this kneading behavior:
- It reminds them of nursing – Puppies knead their mother’s belly to stimulate milk production while nursing. The motion is instinctual and makes them feel comforted and relaxed even later in life.
- They are content – Making biscuits releases endorphins and oxytocin, “feel good” hormones associated with happiness and bonding.
- They are claiming ownership – By kneading an object, dogs spread their scent and mark it as their own. This satisfies their instinct to feel secure in their space.
- They are showing affection – Dogs often make biscuits on their favorite people. It signifies their love and trust.
Essentially, biscuit making is a self-soothing behavior for dogs that expresses contentment. The reasons behind it come naturally from their ancestry and innate social traits.
When Do Dogs Commonly Make Biscuits?
Dogs will demonstrate the biscuit making motion in situations that stimulate positive emotions and instincts. Some common times dogs make biscuits include:
- As puppies nursing on their mother
- While being petted or stroked by a human or other dog
- When snuggling into a blanket or soft bed
- When settling in for a nap
- In anticipation of something enjoyable like a walk or meal
- While relaxing with a favorite toy or chew bone
Essentially any time your dog feels completely safe, comfortable, and content you may see them happily kneading away. They are basically telling you they feel right at home.
How Do Dogs Make Biscuits?
The biscuit making motion itself is quite distinctive. It involves your dog alternating pressing in and out with their front paws in a rhythmic, kneading fashion. Here is the typical sequence:
- Your dog will extend their front legs in front of them, placing their elbows directly beneath their chest
- They press down with their paws in a sort of “push-up” motion
- Next they may rapidly flex their paws inward and outward or walk them in place
- They shift upwards, moving their elbows forward, then repeat the kneading process
Oftentimes, dogs engage in biscuit making with their hind legs as well. They may stand while flexing just their hind paws or have all four paws involved. Many dogs also incorporate licking motions with nibbling, sucking, and mouthing behaviors. Their eyes may be partially or completely closed to demonstrate how relaxed and focused they are on their biscuit making.
Why Do Dogs Lick While Making Biscuits?
The licking, sucking, and nibbling behaviors many dogs demonstrate during biscuit making relate back to their nursing instincts as puppies. By stimulating their mother’s nipples and belly, puppies promote milk flow to fill their stomachs. As they grow older dogs continue to associate this motion with serenity and comfort.
Plus, licking releases more feel-good endorphins. The extra oxytocin gives your dog a soothing sense of well-being. Your pup likely sees licking you as both bonding time and part of their self-calming biscuit making ritual.
Do All Dogs Make Biscuits?
While biscuit making is an innate behavior in dogs, not all dogs demonstrate it regularly. Some factors that influence which dogs are big biscuit makers include:
- Breed – Dachshunds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Pugs are breeds prone to kneading frequently.
- Age – Puppies exhibit biscuit making motions more as they wean. Many senior dogs still make biscuits later in life.
- Environment – Dogs must feel secure enough to demonstrate this vulnerable behavior. Stress can inhibit it.
- Personality – Anxious, fearful, or unsocialized dogs are less likely to show this soothing behavior around others.
- Bond with owner – Dogs make biscuits most with people they trust deeply due to the vulnerability and affection involved.
So while some dogs will make buscuits daily, others may rarely demonstrate it. Getting to know your individual dog’s personality and bonding with them can encourage biscuit making in dogs prone to it.
Signs Your Dog Wants to Make Biscuits
How can you tell if your dog is preparing to settle in for a biscuit making session? Signs to look for include:
- Pacing or turning in circles before lying down
- Snuggling into a blanket or bed
- Curling up tightly with their paws tucked under their body
- Nudging your hand to be petted
- Licking a soft surface
- Pausing to stare off dreamily
- Letting out a big sigh
These motions indicate your dog is seeking comfort and feelings of security. They want to create an ideal biscuit making environment before beginning to knead. By tuning into these cues, you can be ready to provide your dog with petting or a favorite toy to further enhance their biscuit making experience.
What Surfaces Do Dogs Like to Make Biscuits On?
Biscuit making involves direct pressure from your dog’s paws, so they prefer plush, padded surfaces. Favorite surfaces for kneading include:
- Your lap
- Blankets or bedding
- Clothing like robes, sweatshirts, or towels
- Stuffed animals or toys
- Pet beds
- Carpets or rugs
- Grass or dirt
Essentially, any surface with a bit of give that lets their paws sink in is ideal. Hard floors do not properly mimic the softness of their mother’s belly. Your dog may still knead on a non-ideal surface simply out of instinct, but they will seek out squishy spots whenever possible.
Is Biscuit Making Bad for Dogs?
For most dogs, biscuit making is a completely harmless behavior. It can actually be a sign your dog feels safe and happy. However, there are a few potential downsides to be aware of:
- Excessive biscuit making may signal separation anxiety, fear, or insecurity in some dogs.
- It can lead to damage if directed onto inappropriate surfaces like furniture.
- Your dog may pinch or scratch you accidentally while kneading.
- Biscuit making that is too forceful can cause orthopedic injury over time.
- Young puppies may try to nurse on human skin, which can leave marks.
As long as your dog does not make biscuits excessively or cause damage, it is generally not a problematic behavior. However, redirecting them or limiting time spent biscuit making may be necessary in some cases.
How to Manage Excessive Biscuit Making
If your dog’s biscuit making habits do become bothersome or unhealthy, there are ways to help control the behavior:
- Redirect them to a preferred kneading surface like a cozy bed.
- Limit access to surfaces you do not want damaged.
- Discourage biscuit making on yourself if their nails cause injury.
- Provide plenty of enrichment toys to decrease boredom.
- Consider anxiety medication if underlying issues are severe.
- Avoid reinforcing the behavior with affection or attention.
- Train a “stop” command for biscuit making.
The key is addressing the root motivation behind excessive biscuit making, whether that involves more training, exercise, supervision, or veterinary care. For most dogs though, just having acceptable surfaces available for kneading when the mood strikes is sufficient.
How to Encourage Biscuit Making
For dogs that feel comfortable demonstrating this behavior, biscuit making can enhance the bond you share. Ways to encourage enjoyable biscuit making include:
- Petting or massaging your dog in their favorite spots
- Providing soft bedding and blankets to knead
- Responding positively when they initiate biscuit making
- Keeping their favorite stuffed animal or toy available
- Allowing them on furniture to be near you when relaxing
- Scheduling quiet bonding time without distractions
- Remaining calm and steady when they begin kneading
You want to create an environment where your dog feels safe and close to you. For pups that love to make biscuits, this will allow them to engage in this comforting ritual to their heart’s content while deepening your relationship.
What Does It Mean When Your Dog Makes Biscuits on You?
When your dog makes biscuits while snuggling up against you or sitting on your lap, it signals they see you as a source of comfort and security. Reasons your dog may knead on you include:
- Showing affection and bonding with you
- Feeling calm and peaceful in your presence
- Marking you as a loved one with their scent
- Experiencing contentment from your attention and touch
- Recreating feelings of closeness nursing on their mother
- Associating your smell and warmth with relief or happiness
Essentially, this motion conveys that your dog trusts you deeply and sees you as a caregiver. Let your pup make biscuits on you within reason to strengthen your loving relationship even more.
Is Your Dog Making Biscuits or Having a Seizure?
For owners unfamiliar with biscuit making behavior, it can sometimes be confused with a seizure. However, there are clear differences between the two:
| Biscuit Making | Seizure |
|---|---|
| Methodical, rhythmic motion | Fast, uncontrolled motion |
| Front and hind legs alternate flexing | Rigid legs paddling |
| Eyes are calm or dreamy | Eyes are stressed or distant |
| Lasts as long as dog is content | Usually lasts 1-3 minutes |
| Dog is alert and responsive | Dog is disoriented afterwards |
While the movements may look similar at first, an attentive owner can distinguish between signs of happiness and distress. If ever unsure, recording videos of the episodes can help your vet evaluate the behavior accurately.
Should You Let Your Dog Make Biscuits?
For most dogs, allowing biscuit making in moderation is perfectly healthy. The exceptions are if:
- They compulsively make biscuits due to anxiety or stress
- They damage property or cause injury while kneading
- Biscuit making leads to aggression if interfered with
- They have orthopedic problems exacerbated by biscuit making
Otherwise, there are many benefits to controlled biscuit making for your dog:
- Releases pleasurable hormones that reduce stress
- Provides comfort and familiarity
- Allows them to self-soothe
- Deepens bond between you and your dog
- Signifies they see your home as a safe space
- Helps dogs relax and settle down
As long as biscuit making remains a healthy outlet for your dog, there is no need to curb it. Allow them some kneading time with supervision and they’ll see you as their number one source of security and affection.
Conclusion
Kneading or “making biscuits” is an instinctual behavior for dogs triggered by feelings of contentment and security. It begins as a way for puppies to nurse more effectively and continues into adulthood as a soothing mechanism. This distinctive motion involves flexing their paws rhythmically on soft surfaces or living beings. While excessive biscuit making can become problematic, regular biscuit making signifies your dog feels right at home with you. By better understanding this unique behavior, you can encourage healthy biscuit making to strengthen your loving bond even more.