A question on wolf behavior?

Question

My pet wolf (don't ask) has, at times, put her open mouth around my hand, wrist or forearm, such as last night when she did this while I was petting her, and I was just wondering why on Earth a wolf might do that. She never does this to my wife or anyone else, and she quickly obeyed a command not to do this action. My wife and I are both concerned, however, that this could be a sign of possible future rebellion (she might not see me as the alpha) or that we could be rejecting a sign of affection in a wolf with few natural ways of acting in her "pack" of four humans, three cats and herself. Anyone know enough about wolf behavior to answer this.

Answer 1

Sign of affection as long as she isn't biting you.

Answer 2

It's just kind of stupid to have a Wolf as a pet, especially if you (obviously)  don't even know the most basic rules on Wolfpack behavior.   You are at the beginning of a long, hard journey and will hopefully learn your lesson without anyone getting hurt.

When she is too much for you to handle or she hurts someone don't look to your local zoo to take her off your hands.  That doesn't happen.  Maybe you can get her into a reserve, somewhere where they will understand her as a wild animal that was being raised as a domestic.  Try Mission:Wolf in Colorado. You know what will happen to her if things go bad, probably at the hands of your local animal shelter.  There is a reason owning Wolves is illegal in most states.

Dogs are descendants of Wolves.  Wolves are NOT dogs.

Does she get to run through the woods and hunt with a pack or do you keep her in a kennel or in the house?  

What part of "wild animal in my house" sounded good to you?

I don't believe you anyway.

Answer 3

This is not a sign of rebellion - she clearly recognizes you as alpha because she obeys your command, so don't worry! Wolves often gently place their jaws around the body of other close pack members - this is a sign of affection, you are correct with your second guess. It is only used normally with members particularly close to that wolf - hence why your wolf does not do this with your wife, just you. It is a more advanced way of showing affection because if done on a member of the pack not as close to the wolf it may be taken as a sign of aggression. It represents to you that your wolf has no feelings of aggression towards you. It also represents a mutual trust between the two of you (or should). Your wolf trusts you not to confuse her gesture as aggressive or challenging, and you trust that she is not trying to injure you. It works two ways. You could place two hands firmly around the scruff of her neck and hold them there, still. She would know what you are doing is not an aggressive gesture whereas a dog that was not familiar or close to you would immediatley be on guard - either aggressive or submissive. I hope this explains your wolfs behaivour.