2 Males biting behind ears

Question
Ok I have a little Peka-Poo(Pekinese/poodle) and a Shih-tzu. The Peka's name is Toby and the Shih-tzu is a Sparky.
 Sparky wants lots of attention. He tries and takes Tobys'. I'll be petting Toby and Sparky will come along and cut around him and make me pet him. I figure the breed is just very social. Toby seems to mind and goes over to the right ear. He then starts nibbling on Sparky's ear. When he stops Sparky backs down and I can continue with Toby's bellyrub. Why does Toby do this? I want to know if Toby is punishing him or just being weird. Someone please help with my mystery for at least 5 years now.

Answer
Hi, Katie,

I'm not sure I have a clear picture of the behavior, but it sounds like both dogs feel possessive of you, and when you're petting Toby, it makes Sparky anxious, so he has to have your full attention. This upsets Toby, because he was enjoying being petted. But instead of barking or attacking Sparky, he nibbles on Sparky's ear. Have I got it right? So the ear-nibbling behavior is Toby's way of reducing internal tension brought on by having your affection drawn away from and toward Sparky. And as I said, instead of biting or barking at Sparky, he nibbles on the little guy's ear.

Either way, if you want to know how to solve the basic underlying problem, the picture I'm getting is that you're probably giving both dogs too much physical affection as a means of relating to them, and possibly as a way of comforting them when they ask for it, or you think they seem to need it. Unfortunately, giving dogs too much physical affection can lead to all kinds of behavioral problems, from the possessiveness you're seeing in both your dogs all the way up to separation anxiety/distress where a dog goes into a complete panic when left alone.

I don't know if you'll take my advice, but my recommendation would be to substitute playing fetch and tug for physical affection with both Toby and Sparky. And if either of your dogs comes to you to be petted, you have to learn to ignore him until he goes and finds a toy on his own, settles down, and reduces his internal tension and stress through biting or chewing on the toy. Then you can praise him softly. Biting things, not being petted, is the best way for a dog to reduce internal tension and stress. Petting and cuddling, especially when you do too much of it, tends to leave dogs feeling more needy, more anxious and possessive, and very stressed.

MORE PLAY TIME and LESS CUDDLE TIME! That's my recommendation.

I hope this helps,

LCK