It's a Husky Thing - Siberian Husky Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.


A forum for owners of the Siberian Husky.
 
HomeSearchLatest imagesRegisterRegisterLog in
Congratulations Nikita, Archer, and Cheyanne!, our November HOTM winners! HOTM Will Be Taking An Indefinite Break!
Husky of the Month
Congrats Nikita, Archer, and Cheyanne,
our November HOTM Winners!
Husky Cuddles!





Thanks to all for this month's entries!
Forum Rules
1. Here we prefer clarity to agreement. Obviously not everyone is going to agree on a topic; here we prefer to talk out our differences in a respectful manner to ensure mutual understanding and respect.
2. Read the Stickies and Announcements. Each sub-forum may have specific rules which trump the Forum Rules in cases where there may be conflicting information. Read the rules of each board before you post so that you are clear on the expectations of the staff.
3. Respect ALL Staff and Admins. These people volunteer of their time and MUST be respected as well as their word adhered to. They are responsible for maintaining a free, open, clear and organized forum. Anyone found to be openly undermining any official ruling by a staff member will be warned.
4. Signatures: One picture only and no links. Images: To keep the forum looking neat and tidy, we ask that members insert just one picture only in their signatures. The picture should be no more than 200x500 pixels and should be of an appropriate subject, for example, your dogs and their names. Should you need assistance creating an appropriate signature, please PM an Admin and we would be happy to help! This is to ensure that signatures remain a welcome addition to our forum instead of a cumbersome distraction. Links: Hyperlinks in signatures--unless to a personal blog or photo stream of your dogs (like Flckr or Piscasa, for example)--are strictly prohibited. Please PM a staff member with any questions or concerns regarding this rule.
Rescue Spotlight
Our current rescue spotlight is:

Delaware Valley Siberian Husky Rescue!

Top Dog Website Award Winner!

Top Website
for
Siberian

Huskys


Share
 

 Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?

View previous topic View next topic Go down 
AuthorMessage
DiamondDog
Newborn
Newborn


Female Join date : 2014-08-20
Location : Halifax, NS, Canada

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? EmptyWed Aug 20, 2014 2:59 am

So, some background on my princess pooch. Diamond is a 3 year old Alaskan Husky, my husband and I got her about 1 1/2 years ago from a couple who were living in a one bedroom apartment. According to them they had tried to breed her on her first and second heat, which I found out quickly is a big no no. She had also had very limited exercise, and seemed to be very lethargic, she also had a pretty bad diet of kibbles and bits, along with a nasty ear infection.

They had said that she was house trained, but for the first two weeks she would do her business in the house and gave no hint at needing to go out. She would pull pretty badly on her leash, and just would not listen. Any time you would touch her tail she would yipe like you were ripping it off and mouth at your hand. She also had no idea how to socialize or play with other dogs, the first three weeks or so at the off leash park she wouldn't go more than ten feet from me, or other people and had absolutely no interest in other dogs, toys or squirrels or anything really. All in all she didn't seem dog like or energetic at all. The strangest thing was how lacking she was vocally. I had heard and read that huskies are very very vocal and enjoy howling and 'talking', she was a mute!

Now a year and a half later, she walks beautifully, socializes well, has a German Shepherd bf, plays with toys, goes on walk a run and a trip to the park every day, and she 'sings' with the family (usually she only sings with my husband and I, we look a little crazy howling with the dog, but she loves it), and after a lot of work you can grab her tail, and even pet it. However, she is still stubborn and when my husband has a hard time getting her to listen to the 'Down' command he grabs her paws and she will mouth him. This, and when you startle her with her tail, or pet her tail too long and she gets testy. Otherwise you can touch her paws freely, we wash them and trim back the fur on the bottoms of her paws once a month.

It's toothy, but incredibly gentle, she never bruises, draws blood, or even comes close to hurting him or me, and even looks a little sheepish afterwards. We have tried to discourage it with everything from desensitizing like her tail, to a firm no, to a tap on the nose (husband's tactics not mine). I have seen threads about puppies doing the mouthing behaviour but what about adults?

She mouths him more than me, and its an even gentler action than when, on the rare occasion the mood strikes her, she roughhouses. I guess what I'm wondering is, is it a dominance thing, a 'hey, please stop I don't like that', a residual puppy habit, or something else, or if anyone else has a similar problem?
Back to top Go down
seattlesibe
Senior
Senior
seattlesibe

Male Join date : 2013-02-05
Location : seattle, wa

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? EmptyWed Aug 20, 2014 3:28 am

It's a social thing. Huskies communicate with their mouths, both verbally and physically. This is how they interact with their environment.

Essentially, it means she likes you and she's trying to play with you. It's your job to teach her boundaries and when this is appropriate. She needs to do it and wants to do it, so find ways to allow her to do it on your terms. They can learn boundaries very easily.
Back to top Go down
http://www.k9convergencetraining.com
wpskier222
Senior
Senior
wpskier222

Female Join date : 2013-02-11
Location : NYC

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? EmptyWed Aug 20, 2014 9:44 am

Watch her when she plays with her dog friends... Does she bite their legs? Do they bite hers? As Jeff said, she probably thinks its play, and your husband grabbing the legs to get her to lay down is a playful action to her (especially if he is on the floor, or on her level), so she is gently trying to mouth and play back.

Here's an old thread about mouthing with an interesting discussion. Smile

https://www.itsahuskything.com/t10746-mouthing-when-being-petted?highlight=mouthing
Back to top Go down
seattlesibe
Senior
Senior
seattlesibe

Male Join date : 2013-02-05
Location : seattle, wa

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? EmptyWed Aug 20, 2014 10:03 am

Right. To answer the title question, it's neither. This is completely normal behavior and how they interact with their mates and their crew around them.
Back to top Go down
http://www.k9convergencetraining.com
seattlesibe
Senior
Senior
seattlesibe

Male Join date : 2013-02-05
Location : seattle, wa

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? EmptyWed Aug 20, 2014 10:15 am

another thing that helped me personally reframe this behavior in my mind and start to constructively use it to me and my dog's benefit was create a term for it, so I began referring to it as Teeth-on-Skin (original to me anyway) rather than Biting . The reasons why are hopefully obvious.

I know Jen and I had discussions on here almost daily with new folks about a year ago on Teeth-on-Skin behaviors, redirection, utilization, etc.

It might help you with your Husky to reframe it as well , in the context of understanding your dog' s way of being and helping her meet her needs--building trust and respect.
Back to top Go down
http://www.k9convergencetraining.com
Sponsored content




Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty
PostSubject: Re: Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?   Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit? Empty

Back to top Go down
 

Is mouthing dominance or just a bad habit?

View previous topic View next topic Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

 Similar topics

-
» Mouthing problem
» Mouthing when being petted
» PLS HELP! 8mo old mouthing and nipping
» Mouthing -- Advice Needed!
» How old was your puppy when he/she stopped biting/mouthing?

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
It's a Husky Thing - Siberian Husky Forum :: Advice and Discussion Forums :: General Discussions-