Teeth chattering

[Lara_Pigletina]

The Pig is getting on absolutely fine with two-leggy Willow. After initial overexcitement and a bit of nervousness with her noises, she now ignores her the majority of the time and occasionally wags her tail at her and gives her a passing lick. I never leave them together unattended though, even for a second, as it is not worth any risks. Anyway, the Pig occasionally licks two-leggy Willow’s feet or hand (I generally discourage this and don’t allow any face licking but I don’t freak out if there is a little lick of extremities, as that is what the Pig does with us too when given the chance). But I have noticed that sometimes after licking she will chatter her teeth for a few seconds.

I googled it and it seems like dogs do this when they are carefully analysing a scent, often when they are smelling another dog’s pee, and it is particularly associated with various pheromones and dogs on heat. So it’s a bit weird that the Pig does this after licking two-leggy Willow? Is she just trying to still work out what sort of creature she is? Or is she planning to eat her??

 

[kateincornwall]

I think its just excitement of a new smell , I remember Sam doing this a couple of times when he scented something special to him , don't think its a pending doom ! x

 

[Shaz82]

Maisy does this only occasionally but in a very different situation.
When she is playing with a rope and holding it in her mouth her teeth chatter until she lets it go, it has only happened a few times and I don't think it is because of any reasons you have mentioned. So there are other reasons it happens not relating to smell or wanting to eat anyone.

 

[Aitch]

As you said it's just the way dogs process new scents and pheromones. It is her way of understanding something new. I have seen dogs do this hundreds of times and no harm has come of it. I'm sure all will be well.

 

[Boogie]

Yes - my two do it when the come across a fascinating smell.

.

 

[Lara_Pigletina]

Oh good. I must say there was nothing in the Pig’s behaviour that made me worry when she was doing that. Gosh, two-leggy Willow must still smell quite fascinating to her - which is interesting as she has already been around for 12 weeks now and is genetically a mixture of two people who the pig knows well so I wouldn’t have thought she would smell unusual to her!

 

[edzbird]

12 weeks! Wow - she'll be able to go for a walk soon

 

[Natalie]

12 weeks! Wow - she'll be able to go for a walk soon

He he

Sorry @Lara_Pigletina I've nothing to offer on this, I've only seen my cats do it staring at stuff outside but don't think that's at all helpful.

Sounds like the Pig and Willow are getting on very well together (see mean Facebook lady near to @Jen, it can be done )

 

[HAH]

Kipper's been doing this while Jambo's here, it's the first time I've seen it too @Jen - Kipper almost doesn't seem to notice it, he's quite nonchalant while he's chattering and stops quickly. Thanks for mentioning it, I've found it useful to read your replies!

 

[Stacia]

I don't think they teeth chatter before eating something It is just getting the scent, I don't suppose she has come across a baby yet and the scent must be quite different, smells of milk, baby, Mum, pee and poo!

 

[Loraseal]

Hunter does it with yummy scents too. It is lovely that the Pig is so relaxed around Willow. If you are relaxed, then both Willow and the Pig pick up on it too!

 

[Selina27]

I would think it's just the Pigs way of making sense of having a new little person around, two leggy Willow will have her own scent I should think. I think it's good you don't leave them alone, but I doubt she wants to eat her.