It being Labor Day as I write this, I’d rather not (labor). So I’ve searched the archives for some of the most popular posts and found a line of inquiry that sucked me into reading all the comments again, nine years later. It all started with a post about “Muzzle Punches, Air Snaps and Tooth Clacking” that I wrote in October of 2009. That post elicited 117 comments. Wow.
The comments about this issue were so interesting that I wrote second piece that summarized people’s guesses/beliefs about what the behaviors mean, and data from the wolf literature.
Here’s what I wrote nine years ago, with some minor editing: (That’s a long time ago. 63 years ago in dogs years?) What have we learned since then?
MUZZLES PUNCHES/POKES: As best I could, I categorized your responses about the context of muzzle punches into 4 categories: Excited/Playful, Attention Getting, Warnings with potential Aggressive Intent, and Affectionate. Here’s how the responses sorted out (as of this writing, there were 81 responses, note some responses contained multiple examples):
Excited/Playful 14
Attention Getting 30
Warnings: 13
Affectionate: 0
The consensus is strong, and I couldn’t agree more, that context and other postural signals mean everything here. Several of you, wisely, distinguished between ‘muzzle punches’ and ‘muzzle pokes,’ the former being much more forceful than the latter. I appreciate that distinction–I am going to start calling much of what I used to call a ‘punch’ a ‘poke’ (is there a song here?). I also agree completely that, as someone quoted me saying, “It depends,” is the best answer to all behavioral questions.
A muzzle punch given to the face from a dog who had been giving you a hard, cold stare directly into your eyes is something altogether different from a dog who pokes you in the back of the leg with no eye contact. I would be extremely concerned about a dog who gave me a hard, direct stare and then ‘muzzle punched’ me.
It seems to me there are at least three messages here: Pokes: 1) YO! YOU! Pay attention to ME! or 2) YO! YOU! Wanna chase me? Wanna play? Wanna react in some way for heaven’s sake?” and (Punch) 3) I’m warning you… back off. I also think there is a possibly 4th component here related to herding dogs. Willie changed from biting at my ankles as a puppy when I ran to the phone, into muzzle punching the back of my leg when I ran to the phone, to racing 2 inches behind me while I turned my head and said “Willlllllll……….” to keep him from punch/poking the back of my leg as I run to the phone. I’ve seen this kind of reactivity and mouthiness in a lot of herding dogs. Yesterday Will played with a 6 month old BC puppy who has just started trying to grab at anything that moves, in this case a walking stick. Will does the same thing: pick up a hose, and Will wants to grab it. Pick up a lamb, and Will wants to punch at it or grab it. In the case of the pup, it was very clear that it was extremely hard for him not to react to the moving stick…..GOTTA STOP THAT THING FROM MOVING!!!
I was interested that Zimen described these muzzle poke/punches (exactly as done to Tulip in the video from the first post) as a wolf “quickly pushing its nose into the other’s fur…”. He categorizes it as a neutral social contact, neither offensive or defensive, and speculates that it relates to “olfactory control.” I’m not sure what he means by that, and I’m not convinced that when dogs do it it has anything to do with scent. (Update, 2018: Since readin this I’ve seen instances in which it DID look like a dog was pushing its nose into the fur of another and inhaling deeply. Interesting, yes?) Although.. I’ve taught Will to sniff on cue and I’ve found that he will often push his nose into something I’m holding him to smell. But then, I’ve taught him “Touch” too, and my guess is that he’s confounding the two a bit….
AIR SNAPS
Excited/Playful 14
Attention Getting 1
Warnings: 11
Affectionate: 1
Interesting difference with “Muzzle Punches.” Several of you have seen your dogs do it in what sounds like appropriate play, but only one of you described it in an Attention Getting context. Regarding “Aggressive warning” versus “Playful”, surely this is yet another example of context and other signals being critical to interpretation. Thinking back (always dangerous), it does seem to me that I’ve mostly seen them in a context I’d either describe as a warning (in response to “Lie Down” for example, with direct stare to my face) or in play. Again, it seems that an air snap from a playful dog with a loose body, partially open mouth, squinty eyes would mean something very different than a dog who turned and snapped at your hand while you were trying to groom. That may be one important distinction: is there any obvious target of the snap, or is the dog just snapping in the air?
TOOTH CLACKING [not ‘chattering’, see below]
Excited/Playful 10
Attention Getting 3
Warnings: 3
Affectionate:0
Clearly, fewer of you have seen this behavior, and I have to say I’ve probably seen it least of the 3 myself. I have seen a few client’s dogs who stared right at my face and tooth clacked, usually in response to a cue I had given them (similar to the lie down cue above.). In that case I perceived it as a warning. Like many of you, I’ve seen dogs do it when they were aroused, usually during play. One of you mentioned, and I thought this was very interesting, that her dogs did it after their arousal levels increased during play, and the play stopped (arousal inhibition?) for a while after the clacking.
Zimen, by the way, calls this “Snap Clatter,” I lovely description I wish I’d thought of myself. He describes it in the packs he’s watched as an “Aggressive Behavior involving inhibited biting,” and as a “noisy beat made by the teeth when jaws hit together.” It is very different from the much more rapid jaw movement of an extremely excited dog, which most people call Tooth Chattering.
By the way, there are 3 other actions that were introduced by your comments: Smiling, Nibbling and the Jaw Chattering associated with “Flehman,” when male mammals test urine for the presence of the molecules associated with oestrous cycles. I think smiling deserves its own post (as requested) and to the commenter whose dog nibbles on her like an ear of corn, Yes! It’s social grooming and is motivated by affiliative and friendly behavior. No fleas on you!
Here are two photos, taken by a vet student friend and colleague (and owner of the lovely Dobbie, Miska) illustrating another posture described by Zimen: He simply calls it “Imposing Behavior” in which one wolf stands next to another, body lifted as if by balloons, head up and tail up. Miska is the ONLY dog that Will has ever met who is faster than he is, and she is one of the only females he has played with very much (mostly due to who he’s met, I can’t say yet if he has a gender preference). In my mind, Will is absolutely gobsmacked by Miska. He can’t get enough of playing with her, tries to stop her forward motion whenever he can (a few weeks ago he ran in front of her and lunged toward her, she responded with a half a second worth of bitch fury (most appropriate).
After that, Willie seemed to be even more enamored of her but ran outruns around her rather than body blocks, air snaps or muzzle punches to stop her moving forward. He appears to be fascinated by her, but is very nervous when with her in the house–tongue flick-ey, snake headed, i.e., Willie’s evil twin-y.
I love Will’s face in this one and the image of 6 month old Max trying to keep up and play with the big kids…. Thanks to Lesanna for the photos! Me thinks Willie’s in love.
MEANWHILE, just back on the farm this afternoon. We were at the Wisconsin Working Stock Dog Annual Sheepdog Trial in Hudson, WI. Regrettably we were there without dogs, because I couldn’t bear to go and torture Maggie. (Thank you Janna for keeping up Maggie’s PT!) But it is such a lovely place, and it was a great trial with some phenomenal work on tough sheep by skillful dogs and savy handlers.
Here are a few of my favorite images:
Maegan says
My 11 month old Border Collie, Apollo, which we adopted from a family at 6 months old, barely had any socialising, and was barely ever walked or managed to spend much time with the family outside of being present in a crate in the kitchen.
He gets along fantastic with my 3.5 year old Border Collie, Zeus, but I find that a good 40-50% (if not more) of the play includes air snapping from Apollo – this is full teeth-and-gum-baring air snaps so loud it makes me wonder how that doesn’t feel horrible on his teeth! If it weren’t for the loose body, play bows, and self-handicapping on both sides, I would probably be concerned it was aggressive.
I find Apollo does a lot of teeth chattering when smelling new items (something I never experienced with Zeus as hew grew – we’ve had him since 8 weeks), but he also tastes urine a lot – 90% of which is from Zeus. I find this strange, as he does it nearly every time Zeus urinates, and his teeth chatters. I have to wonder why, as you mention that “male mammals test urine for the presence of the molecules associated with oestrous cycles” – surely Apollo knows Zeus (neutered) isn’t female?
Another odd behaviour I found from Apollo is that since him coming into our lives, he adopted the habit of coprophagia – but ONLY eating Zeus’s faeces, and maybe the odd time his own – never any other dog’s that visited our property, and never any (unfortunately) found on walks.
Part of me wonders if Apollo has some strong fascination and attachment with Zeus; he’s happiest when he’s with him, and is a lot more confident on walks with him (we are currently walking them separately, and it’s building his confidence lovely… there’s also the matter that Apollo will rarely pick anything up off the paths when Zeus isn’t there).
He does push his nose into Zeus’s fur, though, and seems to breathe it in. It’s quick gesture, one he does mostly when he’s coming up to greet Zeus after being separated (even for a short time).
Thanks for the interesting read, Patricia – as always your topics are fascinating!
Best wishes x
Mason says
Loved the post. All three of my dogs muzzle poke. For two of the three it seems more anxiety than excitement based, and I describe it to myself as “reassurance seeking” rather than “attention getting”; more needy than playful!
Caroline says
Maegan, I remember reading that less dominant dog will eat poop of dominant dog. ?? I had one that did but he outgrew it.
Pam Evans says
Your original article is how I found this blog when I was searching, trying to find someone to explain my Portie’s behavior. I have a pair, three year old female and 18 month male. The three year old has air snapped since a tiny puppy.
She does it when she is hyper excited and it only happens when meeting new people or greeting certain people, like me. She never does it with other dogs. She is almost always airborne when she does it and so it is not a pleasant experience. We have worked on “place”command with limited success and encouraged her to have an object in her mouth. She will go to place 100% unless it is when I (or my sister or my daughter) am coming in the door… If she is meeting new people on leash, I step on the leash to keep her feet planted because she can’t (won’t?) hold that sit.
I’ve worked with three local trainers and none of them have seen this behavior before. In a formal training environment, she will behave beautifully – just not in the real world. I think, with the addition of the second dog, it has gotten worse, as she competes for attention.
Ican put both dogs in place, stay and move between them, giving each on attention. But, walk in the door from work, give place command and my male does it immediately, sitting there holding a ball. Dory will resist, do a drive by place, and will eventually go there, but not before you have heard a few snaps.
I won’t acknowledge her, greet her, talk to her when she is like this – homecoming on my part is low key. Doesn’t change the behavior. Would love some suggestions, ideas. Trying to explain that the snapping heard means she likes you is no fun.
Pam
Trisha says
I have never seen any research, or an theory, that suggested the ‘less dominant’ dog will eat the feces of one higher in the hierarchy. I’d file this one under “some one said it, but for no reasonable reason”.
Gayla says
Poor Apollo, that’s a rough first 6 months for any puppy, let alone a BC! Thank goodness you adopted him…
Trisha will know, – I’m just guessing, but I’m not so sure “he knows Zeus isn’t female.” (?) One of the smartest dogs I’ve ever known had a favorite toy, a rubber slice of cake, that was in her whelping box when she gave birth. After all the puppies were born, she fussed and pined over it as if it was a still-birth. It amazed me that she didn’t know it wasn’t one of her puppies, and I had to bury it before she started mothering the living pups.
Maybe it’s just semantics, but I’ve always considered a forceful muzzle punch as ‘testing.’
Jennie Berkson says
My almost 3 year old rescue (she has been with us the magic 3 months) Chessie/Lab Belle muzzle pokes my arm when I play the piano. This is hard to address in some ways as I need to stop playing in order to remove my arm from her ability to access it. Sometimes I will turn away from her and continue to play with one hand. Other times I will get her to do a down—sometimes she will lose interest.
mama says
Remus definitely air snaps/clacks during play. It took a long time to teach him fetch, and involved using multiple equal value toys; bring one back and drop it, and Mom will throw the next one. As he got more proficient at the “return and drop,” he began adding a loud snap/clack after the drop. “Look ma, empty jaws! Throw the stick!”
Melissa Holzinger says
My dogs all do muzzle pokes and I do my best to discourage it because they do it on the stairs with me in front and them bringing up the rear, so to speak. As they are large and muscular, I’m afraid of actually falling. So, I stop and direct them to go past me. The message is clear: you’ve been in bed too long this morning. Hurry up and get downstairs and fix breakfast! Great article. I’ve observed all these behaviors, (except a hard muzzle punch in the face). They can be very nuanced. It’s nice to gain some deeper understanding of what they mean.
Vicki in Michigan says
Just another datapoint — I, too, have seen the less dominant dog eat the feces of a more dominant dog. I have never seen a dominant dog eat the feces of a less-dominant dog. (And I have seen way more feces-eating than anyone could ever wish to see.) Not drawing any conclusions, just sayin.
We had a dog who would muzzle-punch you in the face if she was excited. Like if you praised her in dog class. I learned to praise her in a very low key way. And to step on the leash, so if she tried to hit me in the face she’d get a hard downward correction. Getting muzzle-punched in the eye is no joke.
I don’t think she meant any aggression, nor even any assertiveness (other than self-preservation, maybe?). She was raised from puppyhood by a houseful of large clueless college boys. I think they saw muzzle-punching as funny (especially when it happened to someone else…)….. This was a 50-pound dog who was allowed/encouraged to do a lot of jumping up and putting feet on people. And pawing for attention. I met her when she was 3.
Something that is “funny” to a 6’4″ 20-ish boy may not be so funny to a 5’3″ woman. Not to mention that my face was a much easier target than theirs, much of the time. She and I worked on our physical interactions. She learned to greet me in a way that didn’t endanger my health. We went to obedience class, and she was the star of the class. 🙂 But we always had to watch out for muzzle punches if she was excited and our faces were in range.
Andrea Mauer says
I would like to add one more type of “tooth” behavior. Unlike the playful tooth clacking my dogs seem to excel at, my Carolina Dogs are quite submissive and when they get one to one time they very noticeably ‘sort of’ grind their teeth together to make a sound like they are adjusting their bite. They are docile and enjoying the attention and “pets” they get. They both do it, so I am assuming that others dogs do this as well. I don’t know how else to explain it ,but I bet of you heard it, you would know the sound.
Lisa says
I get down on all fours and play with my five year old border and Keller. He will slap at my face with a paw. if I initiate play then sit back making him pause and wonder. He slaps then shoulder bumps.
I don’t know if this is improper interaction with him. I just assumed that if I have complete control of stop start and am the only person allowed to. The rest of the people don’t get on all fours and really don’t know the physical cues to communicate play with him. That it’s okay.
I like the bond it forms. Me trying to show I know we speak differently.
Trisha says
Re social hierarchy and eating feces: (I’m actually afraid to google that.) My two Border Collies both adore eating Tootsie’s poop about as much as fresh chicken. Tootsie is elderly, going deaf and the last dog anyone in the world would call ‘dominant’. Honestly, I think it’s about nutrition and habit and individual preferences. (And what dog doesn’t love cat poop? No social hierarchy there.) Do remember that the Navajo word for dog translates as “eater of horse poop”.
Heather Staas says
I haven’t seen anyone mention of the “muzzle punching” piece of behavior that seems to be part of the initial piece of the courting/reproduction sequence so I’ll throw that in the mix too. The only time I see my dogs using muzzle punching between themselves is during one of the girls standing heat. My females will muzzle-poke the mail and then bounce down almost like a play bow but laying flat. They will repeat it to “get attention” or make him stand up, and then spin around to present the “business end.” When interested, the male will muzzle-punch them behind the ears/ shoulders, which always looks to me like “testing” to see if the female will allow further contact. Sometimes my younger male runs away after punching her and then peeks around the corner, approaches again. It really looks like what Gayla above mentions as “testing” behavior, the rules of contact have changed during this short week of behavior. All 3 of my (neutered) males have responded to both of my females with this very similar behavior chain that starts with muzzle punch/poke about the back of the ears and neck. It falls under the above categories of excited/ attention getting I think, but interesting I think we only see it in this specific context.
Sandra Gale says
My retired racing greyhound does air snaps, often accompanied by a grin, and done close to your face if you bend down. It means he is happy to meet up with you. Many he has met previously but some strangers are also greeted this way. I hear it is common among greyhounds just like spinning, chattering and rooing when excited or inviting play. This hound occasionally face barks too. Both your general area/face air snapping and face barking can be off putting by those not understanding it comes from his happy greyhound place. This dog is quite subdued most of the time so I don’t ask him to stop unless children are around or the adult is frightened. It’s his way of expressing joy.
All Things Collie says
I have seen the muzzle poke many times in my young smooth collies. It’s always been an invitation to play. (They do it to each other, not me.) I never see my seniors do this.
As for the teeth clacking, we call it chomping. One of my smooth girls really only did it when she was in the show ring. She loved dog shows and would chomp or snap her teeth in the air when she was really excited and happy. She did it almost every time when she placed or won, and would be accompanied by a little happy dance. We have a new smooth girl who does it, but for a different reason. She does it when we are eating and she wants to get our attention because she wants us to share.
Bev says
My 90lb 2yo Doberman x black & tan coonhound muzzle punches other dogs, and hard! I’ve never really quite been able to decipher what’s going on in his head when he does this, but many other dogs do NOT take kindly and their owners are terrified. He’s dog friendly (off leash), but does that same posturing that the Doberman in your post is doing. If the other dog is playful, all is good. If the other dog is intense (GSD, husky) it can get touchy. On leash he can be reactive, not aggressive, but obnoxiously reactive if I’m not on my game and managing the situation.
I’m still not sure what to make of the muzzle punching and tall posturing.
Sonya Wilson says
We use the terms “muzzle bump” for the affectionate or attention getting version, and “muzzle punch” for the more aggressive one with negative intentions.
Helen says
Fascinating! I was almost sad that my miniature poodle doesn’t muzzle punch, poke or air snap (except at flies.) Then I remembered when we were at the beach and he was just learning to swim he would doggie paddle behind you and poke the back of your leg. Also if I climb a step ladder he does a back of the leg poke. Excitement, I guess.
And luckily at 19months he has outgrown eating poo! He used to use the other dogs as a vending machine and wait at the rear end. Very disappointing and disgusting. Will eat possum poo though. Australian possums I gather are different to opossums. . .
Jann Becker says
Our 9-year-old Goldendoodle (68 lb.) has elevated muzzle poking to a fine art, starting with poking her cold nose into the armpit of a seated human! She’ll also poke up beside my leg, and the funny part is when the 18 month old miniature Poodle tries to do likewise. This afternoon I had her “poking” beside me AND the little guy popping up against my elbow, with 40 minutes yet to endure before I fed them.
This all goes under Attention Getting: Just in case you forgot, we are starving before your very eyes!
Frances says
Poppy, my toy poodle, nose punches the cats when over excited and comes away with a pinch of hair between her teeth. I suspect she would like to play fight more vigorously with them, but the mantra Don’t Tease the Cats has been drilled into her since she was a puppy, so she restrains herself. I strongly discourage the punching behaviour, too, although it doesn’t seem to worry the cats much.
Sophy teeth chatters – or makes similar tiny jaw movements – when scolded, a rare occurrence. I don’t know whether it is a sign of inner conflict and stress or a learned response – it is so reminiscent of a child’s lower lip wobbling that it melts me every time, and I go from cross to reassuring in an instant!
Grace says
My Basenji muzzle pokes for attention – “give me some of whatever you’re eating/drinking” and when he is behind or beside me and trying to hurry me along with whatever activity we are doing (agility, tracking, or nose work). Another of his “can you hurry it up please?” behaviors is a noise in his throat that sounds like a blend of a burp, cough, and grunt. He is a big-time sniffer and taster of urine, with accompanying piloerection. I also wanted to share with Maegan – and anyone else interested in the workings of a dog’s nose – to read one or more of Dr. Alexandra Horowitz’s books. I have watched my dog sniff with one nostril, then the other, then get a tentative taste; I wonder if it’s how he (or all dogs?) distinguishes a known odor from a new or unknown odor… Trisha, I love this blog and all of the comments everyone posts!
BD says
We rescued a 10 year old, somewhat neglected poodle cross. Lots of treats and very short sessions to get him accustomed to grooming. He was a very sweet dog, and whenever he’d get annoyed by grooming, he would turn his head completely away from me and air snap or teeth grind. I considered it an extremely gentlemanly notice that he’d begun to lose his cool.
HFR says
I’ve had two dogs who muzzle punched but it was always from behind and always with a toy in their mouth so it seemed nothing more than a “play with me” thing. And I don’t mean just bump in to you, I mean forcefully push the toy into your legs. They are both sporting dogs. One was very submissive the other fearful, but not submissive. Very different dogs. The submissive one also did the “flea-biting” thing which I found extremely endearing. And when she got excited she also did the “I’m going to put my whole mouth around your arm but, don’t worry, I won’t bite down” which was also endearing. Like she was saying “come with me, please”.
I’ve been following Fiona, the baby hippo, at the Cincinnati zoo since her birth so I’ve seen a lot of hippos-in-water videos and I’m always surprised at how extremely mouthy they are. Opening their mouths wide and “feeling” things with their mouths. Dogs and hippos don’t have much in common except that they are left with pretty much just their mouths to explore the world. Dogs have their excellent noses too, of course. I’m wondering if it’s just exploring the world in different ways that involve their mouth or nose. When you don’t have that opposable thumb, you’re pretty much left with just your mouth. My younger dog will also often push his nose into the fur of my older dog. It looks so sweet, but, who knows, he could just be checking to see if he’s eaten anything lately. 🙂
Kandy McDonald says
All of these behaviors are interesting to read about and being a shelter walker/novice trainer all the info helps. I try to get the dogs ready for adoption and it’s not easy. That said I have a fearful girl at home. Yes, she’s a rescue too and has more education than most people. Most issues have been resolved, however one still rears its ugly head. When friends and family come to the house, our Pibble, Hope, she is totally entranced with their toes and fingers. If she gains access – a little nip is in the cards.
Where on earth would this come from, and does anyone have a suggestion? I am certified in clicker training, but don’t know how to build an alternative behavior.
Bruce says
Let me suggest one other type of muzzle poke: Our 60-pound ridgeback mix has a wonky eye so her depth perception is lacking. Attempts at an excited mouth-lick are frequently executed as a wet nose-hammer to the face. After which she gives me a disapproving look, as if the unexpected impact was somehow my fault.
With other dogs her nose-poke means “let’s play!” Accompanied by play bows, lolling tongue, bouncy body language – pretty much the full array of play signals.
Nervous 11-year old Sammy mix habitually provides continual, gentle nose pokes to the back of my calves at dinner time. Translation: “Hey! Hey! Hey! Did you notice it is time to feed the dogs?” She also gently nudges my mouse arm when I spend too much time at the computer. Translation: “Um, shouldn’t you take a break and pet the fluffy dog now?”
Re poop eating: Our Pug happily eats the poop of less-dominant dogs. Her only criterion appears to be flavor (cringe).
Bill stern says
I have a almost one year old melanois female who does play pokes but also is very active with her paws to get you to play or take notice,.
Margaret McLaughlin says
Nina (Flat-Coat) muzzle pokes for attention. She’s quite gentle, because she’s been yelled at for making me spill coffee when she was younger. She does a lot of teeth-chattering, always when she’s excited about something coming; I read it as PLEASE THROW THAT BALL.
Yesterday she chattered as I was setting her up for the Directed Jumping exercise. I have been doing a lot of back-chaining of the Utility exercises, & then I throw the ball after the second g0-out & jump, trying to make her happier & happier as we go through the sequence. I did this in Open, throwing the ball after the Broad Jump–the last exercise in Open A–& would get chattering when she was setting up for that exercise also.
Nina is one of the least aggressive dogs on Planet Earth, though, so YMMV.
Trisha says
Toe obsessions in dogs? I’ve got no idea! Too much time on the internet? What’s important is what to do about it, and I think you really do know the answer already as a certified clicker trainer. What alternative behavior would you like to see? Sit and stay? Bring visitors a toy? Start with standard training and then make the toes become the cue, right?
Trisha says
I love the comments too!
Sue V says
As usual, you’ve given me something to think about.
Some friendly Pekingese do “head bumps” into other small dogs (and uninitiated cats). I’ve always put it down to a) playfulness and b) poor depth perception. Now I’m wondering if it’s actually a “nose bump” without benefit of a nose.
Chris from Boise says
Our eight year old border collie Obi is a self-assured, great social skills, boisterous pal. When he joined our family four years ago, though otherwise practically perfect, he came with an incredible muzzle punch to the face when he greeted people. It was a true punch, much more than jumping for attention. Miraculously, no broken (human) noses ensued. Looking back now, I think the excitement of meeting people was very stressful, and his lightning bonk was a stress reliever (for him; not so much for the bonkee). Our first solution – default sit – didn’t work, because he’d sit, then launch. Now he stays by me, vibrating with excitement, and waits for “go say hi”, then runs to the person, flips around, and charges back to me for a treat. Once that’s over, he can calmly wander over and greet the person nicely.
On a personal note, we euthanized 13 year old Habi (or as a long-ago commenter said, we ‘put her up’) last Friday. Though she had worsening spinal/mobility issues over the last few months, our vet team kept her pain under control with meds, acupuncture, laser and physical therapy. She lived to hike, and on her last morning we drove up to the forests at 6,000 feet and took a final walk, followed by a wonderfully stinky green tripe brunch and a long nap. It was a Very Good Last Day for our very good girl.
For those of you who have been reading Trisha’s blog for a long time, you will remember our long, long, lo-o-o-o-ng journey from insanely reactive to off-leash hiking star, social butterfly, and best friend ever. We have learned so much from many of you commenters, and empathized when your travails echoed ours.
In Habi’s honor, I now lead a one-night community ed class several times a year on the amazing array of great online and local resources now available to people struggling with the same reactive dog issues we faced. My goal is to give my students 1) hope and 2) the leg up that we so badly needed at the beginning of our journey. At the top of my resource list: everything that Trisha has ever written. Trisha, I cannot thank you enough for getting us started on a healthy relationship and a joyful path forward.
Erika says
My first dog, Sally, was an Aussie/GSD mix that we rescued off the streets at about 5 months of age. She and my husband invented an air snapping game: he would sit on the floor and she would sit directly in front of him, and he would hold his hands out on either side of her head. He would quickly straighten one arm or the other, as if trying to touch her hindquarters on that side, and she would air snap at the hand that moved. They would speed up the game until her head was bobbing back and forth as fast as it could possibly go, and her teeth never once made contact with skin.
I know now that mock biting games aren’t really recommended — but we knew very little about dogs when we took her in, and we basically just followed her cues and let her tell us what she liked. And she loved her snapping game! If Andy was sitting on the floor for some other reason, she would come over and play bow with air snaps to request it.
HFR says
@Margaret McLaughlin. The first dog I referenced who muzzle poked was also a Flat-Coat. And I’ve known other FCRs who are muzzle pokers. Who knows?
Trisha says
Play is so good for us! I’m smiling at the image of Andy and Sally laughing and play their fun game. BUT yes, I also have an image of a lovely dog who was almost euthanized because he bit a child’s hand as he reached toward the side of the dog’s head. The child’s father loved to play the same game you describe, and the dog probably was behaving as usual, but the kid wasn’t as fast as his dad. Luckily they got a hold of me and we got it sorted out. (Which ended up rehoming the dog–traumatic for all.
Margaret McLaughlin says
@HFR. Maybe it’s that long sharp muzzle just crying out to be used. Lia, my first FCR, was also a poker. Both my Keeshonden liked/like (new dog, wahoo) to grab my hand with a paw & hold it down to lick it. Who knows what lurks in the DNA?
LisaW says
Chris, my deepest sympathy. I have followed with admiration your work and deepening relationship with Habi (and Obi). This is the part that makes you think twice (for a second) about living with creatures that rely on us for their lives, literally. It’s so heart-wrenching and so the right thing to do when the time comes (my favorite writing on this is here): https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/things-to-do-after-your-dog-has-died
And so cool that you are teaching others lessons-well-learned. I have a colleague who just got a new-to-the-family dog, and I lent him “For the Love of a Dog” and “The Other End of the Leash.” His first question was: Do you recommend reading one before the other? I said I didn’t find there to be a particular order. (Anyone else have a thought on that?) But I knew with that question, his new dog just landed on her feet.
We’ve never had muzzle punchers, but we did have a head banger. Our second golden retriever’s favorite game as a puppy (and who could suspect a fluffy, smiley, red ball of fuzz?) was to sit at the other end of the yard looking so good, and as soon as you turned your back, she would come running full throttle without a sound and smash into the back of your knees. Luckily, no real damage was done, and she finally out grew this prank, but she sure did enjoy it (good thing, too, since she grew into a 90 pound hunk). I still swear I could hear her chuckle.
Roberta says
Here’s one for you that no else has reported. 5 year old Sheltie, spayed. Since a pup she “pho chews”. This is when she comes up to me or my husband and acts like she is chewing on the furniture you are sitting in. She never chews the furniture. It’s rapid motion. Usually when she wants something. Never does this without her mouth next to the furniture. Never in an aggressive state. Has anyone else ever seen this?
Anton says
My 5 year old male Kangal loves to air snap in excitement when dinner is being served. He has to sit before eating so on his way down he air snaps and throws his head around flinging slobber everywhere. I need protective clothing just to serve dinner! My youngest female Kangal will “flea bite” the older dogs in what appears to be a act of love. Never had a dog do this to another. She also likes to clean the ears of the older dogs. Interestingly, she is not a submissive girl at all. Just seems to be one of her ways of showing affection.
Caroline Woods says
I loved the variety of dog behaviors in this theme. I have a 2 year old dobie/pointer mix who expresses her content at night after she buries herself under her covers: she licks her lips lightly then gently “crunches” her teeth together (it sounds a bit like the beginning of tooth grinding, yet it is softer and only done while mouth closing). She will “lick and crunch” a few times before she falls into total deep sleep.
Caroline
Annie J says
I loved this thread and was coming back to re-read it myself- so happy to see it’s been rebooted! My pembroke corgi (with managed RG issues and anxiety) does a weird version of air snapping. After my husband and I have gotten out of bed, if he gets a chance he will jump on the bed and roll all over our pillows, just like when rolling in the grass outside while snapping his teeth from side to side in the air. It’s kinda cute, but if you somehow interrupt him he will stop immediately and and gives a soft look like you’ve challenged him or something. I don’t know if it’s his anxiety combined with the vulnerability of wiggling about on his back that makes him weary of spectators, but it’s also quite the display! He does the same thing in grass (the good patches full of bird poop) and it seems like he wants to smell like the bird poop, whereas the air snapping on the grass just looks like he’s having fun. Other people have speculated that his pillow crashing is a dominance ploy and the air snaps are somehow symbolic of his willingness to put his teeth on/near us. The thing that strikes me is how ritualistic it is- if he gets access he will do it, even if we’ve left the room he’ll do a abbreviated mini faceplant and a quick roll/snap before hopping down to follow us for morning walks and breakfast. Never seen the other funny teeth moves though!
Holly in Madison says
We recently adopted a lovely 3 yr old female Dane. LaRoux came from a wonderful home and, so far, is the “easiest” dog I’ve owned. She does have an interesting behavior that does not quite fit exactly into either the muzzle poke or punch category.
Both our Danes share the bed with my hubby and me. Every morning, upon awakening, Roux “kisses” me – gentle lip to lip with a few little licks. (My apologies to those that find this distasteful). Then she lowers her head and pushes her (giant) face into mine. It’s not an aggressive movement- it’s quite controlled. Nonetheless, Roux is a 145# girl. It is not uncomfortable, really, but she continues with the pushes until I say, “Let’s go,” or “Outside.”
One morning, I decided to see how long she would continue the head “shmooshes.” I finally ended my experiment 3 minutes in. It feels like this is some kind of bonding behavior. She will approach me at times when I am sitting at her face level and do the kiss and shmoosh thing. She always stops when I ask her.
Roux did have 2 litters before I got her and I wonder if this isn’t some maternal behavior. I’ve never owned an dog that had whelped before. Does anyone recognize this behavior.?
Trisha says
Face shmooshes? How sweet! No idea exactly why, unless we want to speculate that she is hoping you’ll regurgitate for her (or vice versa). No, really, I just brought that up to be funny. I think you are right that this is just her way of loving you up and politely asking you to get out of bed.
Jenny azcat says
I have never seen any research, or an theory, that suggested the ‘less dominant’ dog will eat the feces of one higher in the hierarchy. 🙂
C Kasner says
My Sibe exhibits jaw chattering, tooth clacking and muzzle pokes. The jaw chattering seems to be when he has found a particularly stimulating scent. The tooth clacking happens when he is very excited and anticipating a walk or treat within a set routine.
The muzzle pokes happen when he feels left out (if I am concentrating on something with my back to him) or to initiate general action. He once nearly defenestrated me from a third floor window in a carpetted room when I didn’t hear him coming and he poked me quite hard in the glutes.
He will often greet a strange dog with the imposing stance including the chin over withers stance and then drop into a play bow. Often other dogs are non plussed by what they seem to perceive as mixed messages. I guess that he is saying, “I’m the boss, OK. Now let’s play”.
He was chained in a yard for his first three and a half years and I think not castrated until just before I got him. Not sure whether his social skills would have been any more refined without this bad start in life. Not a bad bone in his body though and supremely unreactive in the face of provocation from dogs and unruly people.
JenN says
My GSD has started air snapping in the last 6 months. She only does it when we’re training, she’s amped up, and she doesn’t quite understand what I am asking for. I thought of it as an expression of frustration -it doesn’t appear to contain any aggression. So classified as “excited” maybe?
I’d likely take it more seriously if it was coming from a pushier or more confident dog, or if she did it to other people. However, she’s 8yrs old and came to us 3 years ago as a completely withdrawn, scared thing who would hide in the corner and refuse to engage. Any indication that I’m displeased still has her shutting down, and I’m positive that if I asked her to stop she would immediately (and treat the request as if I had mortally wounded her).
I’m fairly sure that she’s been punished for growling/ barking etc before as she’s silent, even with other dogs, so I’m happy for her to find ways to express herself.
Mark Buell says
One of my dogs definitely does a muzzle punch, but he does it when excited and happy, and to my knowledge, only to me. Given his personality, he could be attention seeking – it tends to occur when he is overexcited and losing control. I should also mention the my current two dogs are sibling English Shepherds, and rescues at that. Both can be mouthy, although the female tends to be much more grabby with her mouth. With my wife, or with another female family friend, she will grab them by the hand or wrist, and guide them around. The male demonstrates something similar, but much less frequently and not prolonged. However, the male, when he gets excited because he thinks we might be about to do something, often gets overexcited, and starts jumping up, and on me. And often enough, when he does this and I am sitting, he will aim at my face. I’ve never seen anything like it. Since its a direct danger to me – he could poke me in the eye with one of those big teeth! – it is definitely discouraged.
Thought I’d mention it – it seems different in motivation and purpose than most dog’s muzzle punches.
Sherylee Dodge says
Air snapping is my favorite, I get it regularly from my bossy little girl, Cleo- an 8yo rough collie from fancy lines. Whenever I tell her what to do she talks back to me (“Sit” before you come in!) OR when she wants to tell ME what to do she does it (“dinner now, please!” She is a funny girl ever since she first came to us at 6 mos old.
Claire Sandbothe says
I have a 9,yo aussie that pokes with varying degrees of force. In my side usually. Gentle poke usually means she wants to go out to,chase something. Fierce poke means she really needs to go potty, now! She has a rather slender nose some call,it being ‘shanked with her shiv’. So all her pokes mean pay attention, I want or need something.
Chala says
I have a 8 month old chocolate male lab and he air snaps at me / and the door when I go to the back door to let him out . He also does this when he wants food from you or if I tell him to go somewhere else while I am doing something ( like when I am folding laundry out of the dryer and he is in my way ) . I don’t know if I should take this as aggressive demands or what .
Trisha says
Demanding yes! Aggressive? Not necessarily. I’d use lots of positive reinforcement to teach him that “everything comes to he who waits”!