mtnbound Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 So we've now had our 20month rescue, Kona, for about 7months now. He's always had an odd habit that I'd thought I'd toss out to see if anyone had any thoughts. Sometimes after we "torture" him with affection/hugs, or as he's waiting while we prepare his food, he'll bounce around in a circle biting at the air. Sometimes is accompanied by a whining bark, but usually just a silent bite at thin air. He stops with a sharp verbal correction, but we'd be thrilled if it's something that we could train away. Our thought is that it's some sort of coping/release of excitement. Curious if anyone has ever seen this behavior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxgloveBC Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 I knew of a little Sheltie that did that a whole lot. I think something was off about him, he did other strange things that were not very Sheltie-like (didnt like people even though he was socialized, glued to other dogs not people, biting the air, striking out and reacting crazily if you startled him by touching him in the least bit). Is this the only "strange" behavior youre seeing? There are some dogs I have heard of that do this, and only this and its just them. If, however, he does more things that are a bit uncommon you might want to have him checked out if possible. Most likely nothing is wrong, I just always remember the case of the little Sheltie and heed my warning as something seemed wrong with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anda Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Could it be something that he was trained to do? I trained Ouzo to do a series of two silent barks - clamp-clamp - when I ask him to say "Ma-Ma" I know, it's silly, but he now often uses this trick when he wants to get something to eat from us - we find it very funny, but we were just discussing how startled someone else would be, not knowing this is his "Mama trick" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hmmm. Interesting. Daisy will do a "chomp chomp" when she's really excited, but it's definately just a silent bark, she does it when playing, that's how she gives us "sass". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Sophie does it, too. It has never progressed into actual biting, so we figure it's pretty harmless and actually an effective communication tool. And if we do it back to her, we can have quite a lengthy "conversation" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tualizzy Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Jak does that when riding in a vehicle. He chomps at the air with great excitement when another vehicle passes. He'll get himself really worked up and eventually the silent bark is no longer silent. IF uncrated, he'll hop from window to window snapping... so in his crate he goes. I've started a little clicker training to curb the behaviour... but its hard to drive, click & treat at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Alex does it when he's excited, too. I have to laugh, because he almost always does it when I put him in a stay on the start line, and give the "wait" command and signal with my hand. It looks like he's chomping at my hand, but he's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggzmom Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 So we've now had our 20month rescue, Kona, for about 7months now. He's always had an odd habit that I'd thought I'd toss out to see if anyone had any thoughts. Sometimes after we "torture" him with affection/hugs, or as he's waiting while we prepare his food, he'll bounce around in a circle biting at the air. Sometimes is accompanied by a whining bark, but usually just a silent bite at thin air. He stops with a sharp verbal correction, but we'd be thrilled if it's something that we could train away. Our thought is that it's some sort of coping/release of excitement. Curious if anyone has ever seen this behavior? Hi, One of my BC's does this when he's really excited(I call it air snapping)....It's nothing I worry about...Definately not an aggressive thing with him, just excitement.....One of his nicknames is Snapper because of this=) His breeder said that his mother does it too. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grinning.girl Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Sophie does it, too. It has never progressed into actual biting, so we figure it's pretty harmless and actually an effective communication tool. And if we do it back to her, we can have quite a lengthy "conversation" LOL!! Shelby does this also, but if we do it back to her she runs and hides. haven't figured that one out yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtnbound Posted June 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks to all for the feedback. It was definitely not something trained as he had zero training when we first got him. It didn't appear to be anything serious or progressive, so I'm glad to see it's likely another eccentric BC behavior! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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