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Behavior - showing teeth and air biting

Mahiikan

My siberian husky has recently started "clackng" his teeth. Mainly around my pug and smaller breeds. Can you tell me what this may mean?

• Experienced Advisor Rosie Barclay says:

  January 31st, 2008 at 06:19 PM

  Hi Criag Interesting question this. Mahiikan (lovely name) is probably starting to mature and may be starting to challenge other dogs (especially those he is familiar with) for status. It's hard to know how he is "clacking" without seeing it. Is he showing his teeth with ears back and hard eyes? Or is he wagging his tail/body excitedly and "smiling" at them which is usually some form of appeasement behaviour? If he is starting to challenge other dogs for his place in the group then monitor the situation but you shouldn't have to interfere unless he is beginning to show some quite aggressive behaviour and causing injury. Challenging behaviour is quite normal and what happens is one of the pair should defer (back down) quite naturally. Of course if neither does and the aggression increases then you will need to seek the help of a qualified companion animal behaviourist who will guide the way for you. It is also important that all the dogs (especially a Husky) view you as the decision maker within the group and resource holder and this is altogether another question. Al the best Rosie Barclay

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  Good Dog? Bad Dog?

  Good Dog? Bad Dog? By Rosie Barclay. This book concentrates on changing the traditional views of how we perceive and treat our dogs using what we have learned from scientific research so far. It starts at the beginning by looking at ways of how to chose and bring up a new puppy that may reduce the likelihood of future problems. It then goes on to cover different problems that commonly occur between owners and their maturing or adult dogs by discussing real case studies. TO BUY VISIT www.rosiebarclay.com

  

• Craig says:

  January 31st, 2008 at 06:25 PM

  Thanks Rosie, I figured it was a dominance thing starting. He isn't showing his teeth with his ears back. It is more of the wagging tail etc. However, he is playing rougher with our pug. I have had to intervene a couple of times because he is just playing too rough for her. I have found that he only does it with smaller breeds ( my brother has a Jack Russell). With larger breeds it is the normal smelling, etc.

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• Experienced Advisor Rosie Barclay says:

  January 31st, 2008 at 06:42 PM

  He is still young but this type of thing generally begins to happen as a dog matures. It may begin with smaller (less threatening) dogs and may progress to bigger breeds once he gains in confidence. If he becomes overly aggressive towards other dogs you might want to think about castration. Have fun

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  Good Dog? Bad Dog?

  Good Dog? Bad Dog? By Rosie Barclay. This book concentrates on changing the traditional views of how we perceive and treat our dogs using what we have learned from scientific research so far. It starts at the beginning by looking at ways of how to chose and bring up a new puppy that may reduce the likelihood of future problems. It then goes on to cover different problems that commonly occur between owners and their maturing or adult dogs by discussing real case studies. TO BUY VISIT www.rosiebarclay.com

  

• Craig says:

  January 31st, 2008 at 06:50 PM

  We would like to get him fixed, however our vet has told us he has a heart mumur (grade 2), and in order to get him fixed we would have to find out where the mumur is (ct scan, mri) in order to determine how he would react to the anesthetic. This could be very costly so we are just going to wait and see how he behaves. May have to be a little extra stern with him.

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• Experienced Advisor Rosie Barclay says:

  January 31st, 2008 at 07:23 PM

  Good luck

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  Good Dog? Bad Dog?

  Good Dog? Bad Dog? By Rosie Barclay. This book concentrates on changing the traditional views of how we perceive and treat our dogs using what we have learned from scientific research so far. It starts at the beginning by looking at ways of how to chose and bring up a new puppy that may reduce the likelihood of future problems. It then goes on to cover different problems that commonly occur between owners and their maturing or adult dogs by discussing real case studies. TO BUY VISIT www.rosiebarclay.com