Skip to content

New Behavior - clacking her teeth

Behavioral Issues
  • For about a week, Shaye has been showing some odd behavior. For no reason, while sitting around, or sometimes when walking, she will clack her teeth as though chomping at something but nothing is there, and she has not just eaten. It only lasts a few seconds. Sometimes it seems like she thinks she ought to be chomping at something because at the end she'll turn and bite her tail a time or two, but she also does this without further actions. Anyone know what this is? Have you seen it?:confused:

  • Bitches will clack their teeth during breeding season, usually after smelling another bitches pee… and will do so, spayed or not... and this is Basenji breeding season

    Can't answer about biting the tail part

  • Males get 'clacky-teeth' when they smell a female in heat, maybe there is a female around and Shaye smells her perfume!.

  • Wow, that is very interesting. I don't know of any females around who are not spayed, and she does it mainly at home, but at least that's a thought. I was afraid it was some sort of seizure or something. Every day we learn more about these B's - they are indeed a breed apart! Thanks, I'll worry less now.

  • Okay that is funny. I have yet to see basenjis do it. I have seen dogs angry or frustrated (other breeds) do it. Will one of you folks PLEASE try to film it so I am not missing in the experience! :)

  • I had a (spayed) bitch that used to do that…...usually sniffed something, then clacked her teeth. She seemed to do it more as she got older. I had forgotten about it until I saw this thread. :)

    In horses it is a sign of submission. Foals do it, and usually outgrow it, but I have a 25 year old mare that will still teeth clack on occasion.......usually when she is in heat and shining up to my gelding! Go figure.....

Suggested Topics

  • Weird Behavior ???

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    KipawaK
    @DebraDownSouth: Fran, there are times when I might mean to be condescending, but I assure you that it won't be "a little" or usually any question. That you could take my comment above as condescending… I can only suggest you may simply want to block my posts because it is entirely unlikely I will write 100 words to say what I said in under 20 because SOMEONE might see my observation as insulting. Now if I had said it condescending, such as: How could you THINK it could be that? Don't you think any dog living with females would already have reacted? How silly! The person threw out the idea of periods, which sometimes could be it .. and btw, pregnancy hormones set some dogs off… but it hit me he had lived with them too long for that to be probably. It wasn't an insult to the OP, just a response. People contradict my ideas daily on here, doesn't make them condescending or insulting. THEN, I could see it. I simply tossed out a quick response addressing that logically it probably wasn't that. If you read that as condescending instead of my own view, I am sorry. One helpful rule for forums is that you look at any post and see if there is another TONE than the one you ascribed. If there is, take the other. Like your post. I COULD think you are a jerk, not at all "friendly," addressing this here and hijacking the thread instead of sending me a private message. Instead, because I see you post a lot and like you :), I took it exactly at face value... you simply are expressing your view and trying to be helpful. So please remove any tones you might ascribe to the answer. The tone in my head is simply factual, that I am not responsible for your taking that as condescending and probably won't be able to stop you seeing other posts that way. Now if I actually say something you cannot take any way than as an insult, feel free to let me know. But the above... sorry, Fran, it was simply a logical observation. LOL, and in fact, let me now be "condescending" to my post. (I am joking while making a point.) SOMEONE (but it will be me, since it just hit me where I could easily be wrong...) could have responded to my post and said: Yeah, but dds, you are wrong because maybe she has an infection or urinary tract infection also with a period, that might do it. See? Debra, not a problem. Thank you.
  • Mealtime Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    6k Views
    ?
    Since Sonny joined the family three years ago its seems everyone has invested in a pub style table! my house, my parents & my brother. he can't reach so he doesn't even try. sometimes its just easier to out smart them! :D The two things that just overwhelm sonny are cheese and steak…he'll do anything to try and get it and I swear he blocks me out and is lost in a trance! ;)
  • Very bad behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    45
    0 Votes
    45 Posts
    17k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
  • Outside Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    8k Views
    KanangaK
    @LBRunyon: I have a supplementary question along these same lines . We got our BRAT Ricky two weeks ago ( YIPPEE!!!! ) He is WONDERFUL . The only problem we are having is that he WILL NOT potty in our fenced in yard . In fact , it seems he won't go within 1 block of our house . We walk in the am and pm . He is very particular about where he will go, though he sniffs every available surface . While the weather is nice , I really don't mind this . We would be walking anyway . But when the frigid cold hits , it would be nice to open the door and have him go out , do his business quickly , and return . We have tried waiting him out in hopes of praise and treats once he goes in the yard . But Mr. iron- bladder- steel- sphincter WON'T go in the yard. Are there any suggestions ?Oh , by the way, once we are out of the yard and down the street he goes after a few quick sniffs . I have to take my B outside no matter what. It's nice during the spring/summer/fall, but the midst of winter is just simply brutal. -20F with a nice wind (colder windchill) will make any B go quickly, but it's still painful for us humans.
  • Teeth chatter

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    mauigirlM
    @Andrew: We just said he was speaking African Haha! Love it.
  • Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors!

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    MaxieM
    My B girl runs fast in 1000's of circles. When she's happy, or wants to go outside, feels "inconvenienced", if we stay up late, when we cook, or gets excited about her walk, etc. When she's upset or has separation anxiety, looks like 40 mph! None of my other b's ever circled. She's a rescue girl. Is that the basenji 500 or is this odd behavior?