Teeth chattering is typical behavior in greyhounds, and most people first think it’s because they’re cold. However, shivering is rarely the cause of teeth chattering in greyhounds.
Chattering is a form of communication. They might use chattering to tell you something or communicate with other dogs. The most common reason is that they’re happy or content.
What Does Greyhound Teeth Chattering Look Like?
Your greyhound teeth chattering will look like a typical human shiver. You’ll be able to see their bottom jaw moving up and down rapidly physically, and you’ll hear the click of their teeth. You can also feel the chatter of their teeth when you’re patting their head.
Because a greyhound’s teeth look similar to human bottom teeth, except for their canines, it can even look quite amusing.
Diagnosing exactly why your greyhound’s teeth are chattering can be challenging, so here’s every possibility and what to look out for.
Happiness Or Contentment
Greyhounds might chatter their teeth as a way to show you that they’re happy or content. It’s just like a cat when they’re purring.
You’ll notice this when they’re sleepy or chilled out at home, and it’ll most likely be when they’re cuddled up to you. It’s a massive compliment, as your greyhound is enjoying the bond you have.
How To Diagnose This
If your greyhound is laid out in a relaxed position, their chattering may be accompanied by a tail wag. It might be that they’re just settling down to sleep with you or that you’re petting them in just the right place.
You might also notice this if you have multiple dogs. They’ll use this behavior to signal that they’re happy with each other too and that there’s no danger around.
If this happens when your greyhound is just meeting a new dog or other pet, it could be a good thing to show that they’re happy with the stranger and feel comfortable around them.
The ‘contented chatter’ should always be accompanied by tail wagging and open, inviting body language.
What Should You Do About It?
Keep doing exactly what you’re doing. Your greyhound is loving the attention or is enjoying their time with the other pet.
Excitement
Chattering can also be a sign of excitement. This might occur just before a walk, when you get home from work or in the middle of a play session.
How To Diagnose This
Your greyhound will have a wagging tail, open and active posture, and might even be crouched low to the floor in a pouncing position or rolling on their back if they expect belly rubs.
When your greyhound is excited, it may jump up at you if they’re not adequately trained. This, coupled with teeth chattering, could appear quite intimidating. But it’s just their way of greeting.
What Should You Do About It?
Teeth chattering because your greyhound is excited is a good sign; they’re enjoying themselves. However, some of the other symptoms of excitement could be bad.
They must understand that teeth chattering is acceptable but jumping around and causing chaos isn’t. Turning your back and ignoring your dog when they do that will quickly and gently teach them that the behavior doesn’t get them the attention they want.
Nitting
Nitting is the common practice of teeth chattering against someone’s skin. Greyhounds are well known for this, and it gives the sensation of a very slight nip. They won’t draw blood, but it can cause bruises if it happens often.
How To Diagnose This
Nitting isn’t like biting. It’ll be clear that your greyhound isn’t trying to hurt you. You won’t experience any growling or barking beforehand and no aggressive behavior.
There isn’t much research regarding nitting and why it might occur. However, based on your dog’s body language, it seems that greyhounds nit when they’re being affectionate or possibly when they’re feeling anxious and need your attention.
What Should You Do About It?
Nitting isn’t anything to worry about from your greyhound’s perspective. However, it could become off-putting or annoying especially if you have guests, and might even be concerning if you have young children.
There are a few ways that you could deal with nitting:
- Treat Training – Tell your greyhound to stop the nitting behavior and give them a treat when they do. Repeating this act will show them that they only get a treat when they aren’t nitting.
- Remove Attention – As soon as your greyhound starts nitting, stand up and walk away. They’ll begin to learn that nitting is achieving the opposite of what they intended as you remove your attention from them as soon as they do it.
- Do Nothing – Some owners find nitting cute and can cope with it. As it’s technically not bad behavior, just annoying, you could leave it as it is.
Hunger
Because teeth chattering is primarily a communication method, your greyhound might be trying to tell you that they’re hungry.
How To Diagnose This
This usually occurs if you have set mealtimes and are late with their food for some reason. It might appear while you’re standing in the kitchen making your food too, as it’s a sign that your dog feels you’ve forgotten them.
What Should You Do About It?
If you are a little late with their food, you’ll need to feed them as soon as possible to keep to their routine.
However, if your greyhound is chattering because they see you eating your food, you shouldn’t give them food just because they’re displaying this behavior.
This will encourage them to chatter their teeth whenever they see something they want, assuming that the chattering is why you gave it to them.
Attention Seeking
Teeth chattering could be a sign that your greyhound wants your attention. It’s sweet that they want to be near you, and this behavior could be seen as affection, as they value the time you spend together.
How To Diagnose This
You might notice this if you have a busy lifestyle, and your greyhound misses you being around the house. It’ll usually occur when you’re busy, maybe doing housework or office work, and you’ll find your greyhound wandering around the house after you.
It could also happen if you’re sitting relaxing and your greyhound feels that you’re chilling a little too much and that you should be spending that time petting them.
What Should You Do About It?
Spend some time with your greyhound. They deserve your attention, especially if they’re chattering their teeth rather than jumping up at you or barking.
They’re asking in the politest way possible. Take them for a walk or snuggle up and watch TV together.
Feeling Threatened
Teeth chattering can also signal fear or alert you to danger. This may happen if you’re out on a walk and your dog sees another dog they don’t like or is worried about something in front of them.
How To Diagnose This
Instead of the friendly, polite teeth chattering you’ll be used to, the chattering will get louder and appear more aggressive. Their stance will change so that their head is lowered and their feet are further apart. The chattering may even turn into a growl.
What Should You Do About It?
Walk away from the thing that’s bothering them as soon as possible. Getting closer to something upsetting them will only worsen the situation. Turn around until they feel more comfortable.
Anxiety
Greyhounds suffer from separation anxiety. It’s recommended that you don’t spend more than 6 hours at a time away from your greyhound or get them a friend so that they’re not alone during the day.
When you’re out of the house, they worry that you won’t come back or worry about having to protect the home while you’re not there.
Chattering can become a nervous habit if this is the case and may even bleed into the time you spend together when you are home. The more anxious they are when you’re out, the longer the anxiety will last after you get home.
How To Diagnose This
Your greyhound will likely sit in a corner and be noticeably less friendly while they’re chattering. You might even notice a loss of appetite and other changes in normal behavior.
Chattering because they’re anxious will display as a constant habit, and they’ll gradually become jumpy and may start to avoid you.
Don’t confuse this behavior with the teeth chattering when your dog runs up to you when you come home from work. This is generally through excitement as they’re happy to see you. Genuine anxiety will cause your dog to become more reclusive.
What Should You Do About It?
Crate Training – Putting your greyhound in a crate while you are out gives it comfort as they have a smaller area to protect. If they only need to look after the immediate area that they’re sitting in, they won’t feel as much pressure.
Dog Sitting – If you’re going to be out for a long time regularly, it’s a good idea to get a dog sitter to look in on them during the day.
Friend – Greyhounds are social animals and need other pack members to keep them company. Consider getting another dog (preferably another greyhound) to keep them company.
Walking – A long walk just before you’re about to leave them alone will help tire them out, so hopefully, they’ll sleep most of the time you’re gone.
Conclusion
Overall, teeth chattering is entirely normal behavior. However, it would help if you tried to look at the other behaviors your greyhound displays while the teeth chattering are occurring. This will help you diagnose if there’s a broader problem to deal with it at the source.
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I just adopted a greyhound from Ireland she is 4 and I’ve had her for 7 months she is so smart but very stubbern I live in maine and she loves to walk I think I dress her warm but it’s still 14 degrees out but we go for 4 to 5 hood walks daily when it’s this cold I shorten the walks and she stops walking because she wants to continue to stay out I tried treats and bought a gentle leader to walk with me to go home the only thing that works is pulling her collar and I hate to do that what should I do
Hey Marvia,
What usually happens when she stops walking and wants to continue to stay out? Does she seem to be stimulated by something?
Check out the section on this article about greys stopping/refusing to walk too: https://azgreyhounds.com/are-greyhounds-lazy/
Evan