Another Harry/Pearly conundrum

FAJ · Enlightened One

Another Harry/Pearly conundrum

JENNY · Big Cheese

He might try to mount her as a sign of his dominance rather than a sex thing. Just to remind her who is boss.

The grooming is probably for the same reason.

max · Enlightened One

Well they certainly can,t shake hands. It sounds like a dominance thing to me, Cas and Sasha do the same,

though it is Cas that does all the sniffing. There is no fighting so at least that is a good thing. Nora

FAJ · Enlightened One

But Pearly licks at Harry too, on his side. They don't stand there licking each other for ages, it's more of a quick slurp-slurp in passing. And the increase in sniffing is from both of them.

It's most confusing.

-- Edited by FAJ at 08:08, 2006-03-17

neeroz · Master

My lot do the sniffin thing too, more when Ben was with us. Must them checkin oot whos who and to see whos top dog.(If they start on me al be worried!)

Another thing Florence does is to stand over Abbey and Dexter (but mostly Dexter) when they are lyin doon, then she starts to lift her paws as is she gonnae step on them. Looks like she's tryin to shift thum, to which Abbey and Dexter just peer from under her. Soooo funny to see

Then she trots off after she's made her point, whatever it is.

Jennifer · Big Cheese

Millie doesn't sniff my other 2 but she does stand over them if they are lying down. I don't think this is a dominant thing as she only does it if the other dog is lying where Millie wants to lie and she will practically stand over them or on them until they move and she can steal the spot.

They just move for her, no questions asked so maybe she is the top dog

-- Edited by Jennifer at 12:51, 2006-03-17

Viv · Old Hand

Whenever dogs meet they perform a ritual of getting to know each other. Confident dogs run through the process quickly, nervous dogs take much more time and a combination of confident/nervous dogs take two steps forward and one step back.

Harry is doing what is commonly called 'fidling about', he is testing the 'lady' in a way that she can safely rebuke or succumb to. He is testing her temperament in the interest of survival and communication, not sex. She sounds to be reciprocating his advances, letting him know that she is not a threat. providing he doesn't step over the mark. The sniffing bums is an essentioal way of gathering information from each other.

What do we do when we meet new friends: What's your name, where do you live, what job have you got, any children, been on holiday, isn't that a funny joke - what NO?. Well I thought it was really funny! What's you favourite film/programme/place, etc, etc, etc. Dogs do the same, but in a different way. This isn't anything to do with dominance.

Viv

FAJ · Enlightened One

Thanks, Viv. So despite the fact that we've had Harry for almost a year, it sounds like our two are beginning to check each other out properly and find their place together. Is that right?

Fiona

Viv · Old Hand

Yes, that's what it sounds like to me. I am right in thinking it's Pearly that is a relatively new addition?

FAJ · Enlightened One

Viv wrote:

Yes, that's what it sounds like to me. I am right in thinking it's Pearly that is a relatively new addition?

Nope, we had Pearly for almost a year, then we got Harry. So Pearly has been with us for almost 2 years, and Harry for almost one year. But Pearly is quite timid with him. Up till now, she hasn't really initiated any interactions with him, though he tries to get her to play with him. He can be a bit rough with her, which unnerves her.

neeroz · Master

Hi FAJ

Florence is the same with Dexter and Abbey, she won't play with them cos they can be rough. We even have to let her off the lead first to get a run before the two boisterous one get off! (When they are off and running Florence sticks close to us, cos the have knocked her flying on a few occasions)

Hi Viv

Whats the standing over bit all about? (Florence is the boss of every dog that comes to our house, without making a noise!)

Viv · Old Hand

FAJ wrote:

Viv wrote: Yes, that's what it sounds like to me. I am right in thinking it's Pearly that is a relatively new addition?

Nope, we had Pearly for almost a year, then we got Harry. So Pearly has been with us for almost 2 years, and Harry for almost one year. But Pearly is quite timid with him. Up till now, she hasn't really initiated any interactions with him, though he tries to get her to play with him. He can be a bit rough with her, which unnerves her.

Interesting. Maybe it's taken him this long to learn to moderate his behaviour to get a favourable reaction from her - Men!

Viv · Old Hand

neeroz wrote:

Hi Viv Whats the standing over bit all about? (Florence is the boss of every dog that comes to our house, without making a noise!)

Enough said! - Florence being a female will be inclined to reduce any visiting dog to tears with a mere glance! 'Lady' dogs are usually respected far more than male dogs.

Now to answer your question:

Again, this behaviour is more to do with constant testing in all contexts. It is commonly used during play between familiar dogs, research in strange dogs and can also be a pre-curser to aggression if the one that is being leaned on objects and has a similar temperament to the leaner. It is considered threatening, but it all depends on how the recipient recieves it. Some will object, some will fly into a play bow and run off hoping to get chased.

Viv

Teresa · Enlightened One

dave and daisy came to live with us about a year and a half ago and it's only in the last month or so that dave has started to sniff daisy's rear end. her sniffy behaviour has also increased slightly !

as for top dog, i'm sure that's dave - if daisy is laying on our bed, he only has to look for space and she gets off to let him have as much room as possible. also, he'll bark at her if he wants to play - if she doesn't want to join in she gets up onto the sofa, presumably because she feels safe there.

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

I've read these postings with interest. Max came to live with Tyler just over 1 year ago, and they too recently have begun sniffing each other. I caught Max giving Tyler a brief nose to nose rub the other day!!

They have never been a snuggle together pair, but Tyler doesn't object if Max squeezes into a space next to her, but she won't lie too close for long as she really does like her own space.