Teeth Snapping..what does it mean?
Quail Fat
behavior. This dog is smart and is a fast learner. While my wife and I
were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
make a snapping sound. We initiated the same teeth snapping behavior at
another time to see what she would do. Our dog responded (no barking
sounds) with the same teeth snapping behavior. The dog also "grooms" us for
fleas whenever she wants us to play with her. My question is this: In the
world-o-the canine, What does the snapping of teeth mean???
Jerry Howe
Hello Quail Fat,
Dogs communicate in a variety of strange and unusual ways. The pattern that he
snaps in, may indicate different desires, moods, or needs. When he snaps,
notice what he's doing, or ask him what he wants. He will figure out a system
to let you know.
This is different from the flea biting he does. That is just grooming and
affection.
But the snapping is communication. I notice it about twenty years ago. My Great
Dane began clicking his teeth, and I found that three snaps meant he wanted
something, two snaps were affirmative, and one snap indicated "no." From there
you have all you need to work with him. Enjoy! You may blow some friend minds,
if you can develop this opportunity to communicate with him to a useful level.
When I realized what was going on with this, I was reluctant to tell anyone,
because I figured they'd think I should be committed again. But then, I found
that some university had just done some research on dog communication, and they
mentioned this jaw snapping behavior. I think it is something rather recently
evolved in dogs.
Be careful about just clicking your teeth back at him, until you learn what you
are saying, you may be making promises you don't want to keep!
Is it any wonder that the following sig file has generated more
complaints to my personal email than any other controversial post
I have made to date, bar none?:
If you have to do things to your dog to train him, that you would
rather not have to do, then you shouldn't be doing them. If you
have a dog trainer that tells you to jerk your dog around, shock, or
punish him in any manner, that corrections are appropriate, that the
dog won't think of you as the punisher, or that corrections are not
harmful, or they can't train your dog to do what you want, look for
a trainer that knows Howe.
Sincerely,
Jerry Howe,
Wits' End Dog Training
Witse...@aol.com
http://www.doggydoright.com
Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed.
-Francis Bacon-
There are terrible people who, instead of solving a problem,
bungle it and make it more difficult for all who come after. Who
ever can't hit the nail on the head should, please, not hit at all.
-Nietzsche-
The abilities to think, rationalize and solve problems are learned
qualities.
The Wits' End Dog Training Method challenges the learning
centers in the dogs brain. These centers, once challenged, develop
and continue to grow exponentially, to make him smarter.
The Wits' End Dog Training method capitalizes on praising split
seconds of canine thought, strategy, and timing, not mindless hours of forced
repetition, constant corrections, and scolding.
-Jerry Howe-
Lynn Kosmakos
Quail Fat wrote:
>
> While my wife and I
> were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
> make a snapping sound.
Some dogs do this when excited and I had one Dal that did it when
he was confused or stressed.
Lynn K.
Nancy E. Holmes or R. Nelson Ruffin
bite inhibited dog is frustrated or stressed.
Of course as with any action you can accidentally or on purpose change its
meaning through your response - dogs will learn to do things like this if it
get the reward it wants like laughter or more play time.
Nancy
Quail Fat wrote in message ...
>I have an 18 month old female pitbull terrier that exhibits a strange
>were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
Dan H
seen of his I think it is just a high drive , just showing excitement .
Dan H
Quail Fat wrote:
> I have an 18 month old female pitbull terrier that exhibits a strange
> behavior. This dog is smart and is a fast learner. While my wife and I
> were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
> make a snapping sound. We initiated the same teeth snapping behavior at
> another time to see what she would do. Our dog responded (no barking
> sounds) with the same teeth snapping behavior. The dog also "grooms" us for
> fleas whenever she wants us to play with her. My question is this: In the
> world-o-the canine, What does the snapping of teeth mean???
--
ON THE TRAIL FOR MISSING CHILDREN
http://www.pinenet.com/~trex/onthetrail.html
It is a great ride for an even greater cause
So please pass the word Thank you
L&M Suitter
What in the world is a "GSD"? I have seen a few postings with people
mentioning their GSD's. I still can't figure it out. My 11 year old
son says it means: Great Southern Dog??? Ha Ha! Please enlighten me!
Thanks! and please don't laugh too hard!
Gary & lois Edwards
people, had to ask too.
Lois E.
L&M Suitter <slatt...@home.com> wrote in message
news:379F567A...@home.com...
Patricia Brooks
My Black Lab mix does this when he wants up to play with him... we call it
an "air bark" because (living in an apartment) he's learned to bark only
when he really means it. It's hilarious.. although it was kind of odd at
first.
You say it happens when you're playing... does the dog look happy? Tail
wagging, and all that? Because it doesn't sound stressful.. sounds like a
fun playful thing.
(Just my two cents worth)
Pat
In article <379E08C8...@home.com>, Lynn Kosmakos <lkos...@home.com>
wrote:
>
>
>Quail Fat wrote:
>>
>> While my wife and I
>> were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
>> make a snapping sound.
>
R&D Ryan
reserves this for when he is excited and playing. He'll run circles and
snap at the air like a mad man.
Donna
Quail Fat wrote:
>
> I have an 18 month old female pitbull terrier that exhibits a strange
> behavior. This dog is smart and is a fast learner. While my wife and I
> were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
jugrg...@gmail.com
> I have an 18 month old female pitbull terrier that exhibits a strange
> behavior. This dog is smart and is a fast learner. While my wife and I
> were playing with our dog, we noticed she bites the air making her teeth
> make a snapping sound. We initiated the same teeth snapping behavior at
> another time to see what she would do. Our dog responded (no barking
> sounds) with the same teeth snapping behavior. The dog also "grooms" us for
> fleas whenever she wants us to play with her. My question is this: In the
> world-o-the canine, What does the snapping of teeth mean???
cshenk
answers.
Now, it's a post from 1999 so the person asking is doubtless long gone
but generally it's a warning and should be curbed. at 18 months, it
shouldn't be happening. At *young puppy* (up to 7 months or so) it may
be mock 'learning to fight' behavior and fairly normal.
Here's 2 relatively decent articles:
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-dog-snap-at-the-air
https://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/dogs-snap-2422.html
It is often normal in dogs with a strong 'herding instinct'. Common
herding breeds include the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd,
Australian Kelpie, New Zealand Huntaway, and Australian Cattle Dog.
Other breeds with herding instinct include Corgis and Shetland
Sheepdogs. These types tend to not make good family dogs overall
though with proper training, can be great (especially the Border
Collies who are less difficult to train).
Like with anything, individual dogs will vary by temperment just like
we do so this isn't meant to say that these dogs are 'bad', just that
you should be aware on adoption of general traits most apt to be strong
in a breed and prepare training to match what they need. Mother dogs
teach their puppies to not do this once they are big enough to hurt
another but allow it as normal learning when very young.