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Subject: What does this mean and how do I react?

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3boyz

Rattie

08/03/2007 9:52 PM
We have had Maylee for about a month. She came from someone who had a lot of dogs and Maylee was the alpha. Since coming to us, she has been very unsure about other dogs. I have noticed that when Maylee meets another dog she will let the dog sniff her for a few seconds but if the dog doesn't stop she will growl and nip at it. Iam just looking for some insight on this behavior and how I should react to her when she does this. Thank You! On a side note, last weekend we took her camping. We were with some friends who brought a lab. At first, Maylee was afraid of her, but after awhile, she did just fine and they were able to be together at the campsite. But she did the same thing with this lab when it was sniffing her. My friend thought that maybe Maylee was standing her ground and was not going to let this dog push her around. This was the first time she has been around another dog for more than a few minutes since we got her.

Mom to 4 human boys - 5 if you count my hubbie!

Ski

Ratastic

08/03/2007 10:51 PM
That sounds like normal behaviour to me. The same thing happened when I took Lucky to my brothers house to meet his three dogs. It's like they're saying "that's enough" As long as they don't go after each other to where they have to be separated, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Lucy's mom

Rat Royalty

08/03/2007 11:06 PM
Nora is our training moderator and she might have some insight into this behavior, but I do know if someone kept sniffing me and it went past the greeting stage I would probably nip at them myself! Lucy does this same thing with dogs she plays with in the dog parks when we have meet ups etc. After a few minutes she is off and running and playing with all of them.

My little dog, a heartbeat at my feet. Edith Wharton There will always be a lost little dog somewhere that will prevent me from being happy. Jean Anouilb

MilliesMom

Rattie

08/07/2007 3:15 PM
Millie does the same thing. It's actually rather embarassing when she's barking and nipping at a dog who only wants to play. Her initial meetings w/ other dogs don't go well until she's had a good sniff. . .then she settles down. But if a dog gets in her face watch out! I'm scared she's going to catch the wrong dog someday who will snap back.

rattytatty

Newbie

08/07/2007 3:20 PM
Actually yes.. this IS fairly normal behavior. Dogs don't care for their "space" (especially around the head area... which is why you may observe lots of "butt" fighting.. haha) to be invaded. Just make sure you have control of your dog on a leash so that if things DO get out of hand, you'll have some way to stop it without getting hurt yourself. Usually, after a few minutes of sniffing and/or growling... they work it out among themselves without intervention from us humans! Now... we humans could sure learn a lesson, couldn't we? haha

NellBell25

Ratastic

08/07/2007 3:45 PM
This is what Yogi does, too and whenever I've taken him anyplace the other dog owner always says "Oh just let 'em go, they'll be fine." But I can't, now I'm thinking maybe I should and that would help socialize him more? I always hold his head and pet him so he can't nip at the other dog, then once the sniffs are over I let him go and they are all just fine, he never plays with the other dogs though. Maybe I've overreacted at his behavior if that's pretty normal...

DaisysMom

Moderator
<b>Moderator</b>

08/07/2007 3:49 PM
I do think this behavior is largely normal and as long as you're careful to keep the dogs leashed so the can be pulled apart should something more come of it, it really is best just to let them sniff at one another and react accordingly. I think dogs are like us, in a way, about their personal space sometimes, and they should be allowed to say "hey, that's enough, bub, back off."

Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom

erniebenernie

Bratty Ratty

08/07/2007 4:16 PM
Ernie does the same thing. He'll let another dog sniff but only for a bit. He snorts or growls when he's had enough. I think other dogs know he's not play friendly. There were 2 instinces where a bigger dog almost attacked him, their owners stepped in in time. We also tell parents that we're not sure how Ernie will do around their small children. Kids like to come up to him and hug his neck. A neighbor girl hugged his neck when her mom or I weren't real close by and he did ok for a short time and then let her know it was enough. No bite, just a little growl.

Vicki

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