Clacking/Air Snapping

[centrop67]

I thought I'd move the discussion on this subject so it doesn't derail the other thread.

Centrop67 wrote:
k9Lexi - I have always felt like Radar's clacking was a harmless greeting, but dangerous in that his teeth are big and sharp. A bad reaction could result in injury. After looking a little deeper, I think I am referring to "Air Snapping" which describes it a little better. I do not encourage the behavior, so I do not have pics or video.

Mark77 Wrote:
Zoe my Mal does that. However, I got her to use it more as an indicator if she wants something. She uses it at first to get my attention, like if she wants to go out, she clacks once then heads for the door. She clacks if she wants a treat- it doesn't seem aggressive at all nor threatening. I am working now with her to try to get her to use the clacking to indicate "yes", so I can give her choices as in yes or no. That will take time. The two Dutchies do not do that clacking thing at all. They just whine if they want something.

Unfortunately, Radar's clacking/air snapping includes jumping into your face which is what makes it scary.

[Mark77]

Does he do that when he wants something? Like he wants you to do something then clacks?

I can get Zoe to sit and then ask her "do you want this treat"? She clacks once, I mark the word "yes", then give her the treat. I do this repeatedly. She used to snap near me when just wanted out or to indicate she wanted a kong I put up that they may have been fighting over. Once I can get her to indicate "yes" with the clacking consistently- I will offer her choices, the clack being the indicator of what she wants. So far she has used it to get my attention I think, not sure where she picked it up from because the other dogs do not do that.

[centrop67]

Radar does it as a greeting to new people he meets.

[racingiron1]

Hilde does it as an attention-getting thing, much like Mark is describing. It's most often things like, "I need to go out," or "Have your forgotten it's dinner time?" or "Get up lazy--it's playtime!" To me, it seems like it's clearly a release of pent-up energy. Not scary for me, but when people see/hear it, they are taken aback.

[centrop67]

As a by product of the relaxation training I did with Radar, when he wants something he will put his chin on the ground.

I love this behavior, so I always respond to him when he does it to reinforce it.

BTW - another scary part of his clacking/air snapping is it can also include muzzle punching. If I believe some of the comments I've read this is actually submissive behavior, but again it is very scary when he does it.

[Mark77]

It might all be a submission thing like you said. Riddick does a headbutt to get a hug but then acts very puppy like the second you give him any attention. Zoe does the clacking thing when she wants something but then will roll over when you pet her. Asia snorts like a pig for some reason, she'll rest her head on you when she wants to be petted.