Dog Rescued From Katrina Shows Signs of Stress

Dear Dr. Fox:

My wife and I own a dog rescued from Hurricane Katrina that is a friendly chow and golden-retriever mix. He is about 2 1/2 years old.

Since we brought him home, he has been finding one spot on our bedspread, lying spread-eagle on his stomach and sucking on the spot until it is soaked, often through the sheets and down to the mattress. He has changed spots twice.

We have tried to understand this behavior. The only explanation that makes sense is that he was weaned from his mother too early.

A.D.

Springfield

You could be right. Dogs and cats that are prematurely weaned often engage in sucking behavior as a self-comforting activity. They might suck on the corner of a blanket or pillow, on one of their paws or their tails or even on someone's arm or earlobe. Dobermans like to suck their flanks!

Many dogs left in abandoned homes after the hurricane developed post-traumatic stress disorder. This could be the reason your dog still engages in self-comforting suckling behavior.