A dog owner from the Midwest noticed that her Jack Russell terrier kept playing with a very unusual toy at her parents’ house, so she made the pup her own special version of it, and it has now become her favorite thing in the world.
In a video shared on TikTok on Thursday under the username @tinyterriertyranny, the pup, Lottie, can be seen enjoying spending time at her grandparents’ house, rubbing herself all over the carpet on the floor and on some parts of their cat tree.
The poster, 32-year-old Maia, told Newsweek that Lottie is a very active four-year-old who participates in the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America’s terrier trials, which include events like conformation, racing, GTG, agility and obedience.
“[She] always [shows] this self-soothing behavior—it’s similar to ‘dog zoomies,” Maia explained, adding that she likes to move as part of her settling-down routine.
“Here’s how Lottie ended up getting a cat scratcher,” reads layover text in the clip, “she’s always loved to roll around like this on carpets, but the thing that really brings her joy is when she has access to may parents’ cat tree.
“She loves to go up there and rub her back and her face against the carpeting, and make these super weird little terrier noises. But since I don’t have a cat at home she started doing this to may chairs and laundry rack.
“So I got Lottie her very own cat self groomer. This is basically just a giant bristle brush that your cat or your very odd little dog can walk underneath and rub themselves against.”
Because the toy wasn’t sturdy enough, Maia added a thicker piece of wood at the base, covered in a sizzle mat with a yoga mat at the bottom.
“Lottie loved it from Day One. [She] likes to use her cat scratcher whenever she comes inside after a walk, or especially a run, which makes me think it’s probably some kind of self soothing behavior,” she continues.
“It’s also a really good reminder not to get caught up in the latest food toy or enrichment activity craze that you see and instead to observe your own individual dog and see what they might like to have more opportunities to do.”
Dr. Jess Kirk says in an article shared by Vet Explains Pets that dogs may rub themselves on random surfaces for many reasons, usually nothing concerning, unless this is a new behavior or it’s becoming more intense.
Unneutered male dogs like to rub themselves on things to leave their pheromones behind in order to mark their territory, but this is not the only reason they do it, and females, like Lottie, do it too.
They may do it because they are itchy, dusty, or as a form of communication with each other, whether it is to show submission, dominance, or else. Some dogs simply do it as a form of play or to relax.
Some medical reasons like ear infections or ear mites, allergies, dental issues, skin infection or anal glands problems, can also trigger such behavior. If you suspect the rubbing is due to a medical reason, consult your veterinarian immediately.
@tinyterriertyranny
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 543,900 views and 61,800 likes on the platform.
One user, Olivia, commented: “It’s often a behavior that dogs do when they’re particularly happy! It’s called a contentment ceremony and they’ll do it after a meal or a walk to show how happy they are!”
Danielle Desire said: “Um purchasing today. My Jack Russell does this after Every. Single. Time.”
CountryGirl95 added: “My mom’s poodle does this I think it’s weird but you have a good point maybe it’s self soothing.”
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