Dogs playing and chasing question.

[Castlemaid]

I have noticed with Keeta when I had Falkor, and now that I have Gryffon, that when playing chase outside, it is almost always Keeta that chases the other dog. Sometimes, rarely, she is the one getting chased, but it always starts out with her chasing the other dog, ostensibly to get their toy, but really just seems to be for the thrill of running like maniacs. Then sometimes, she stops the game and starts it again with a clear invitation to be chased - though this does not last very long until she goes back to being the one doing the chasing.

I am wondering if this is an Alpha/Beta relationship (the Alpha chasing the Beta), or if it is just Keeta's preference in play (to chase, as opposed to being chased).

What have you observed in your dogs?

[GSDBESTK9]

Sam is my chaser, he LOVES to chase, but he is never chased.

[onyx'girl]

Onyx is always the "lead dog". They do switch out now and then, but she always seems to be the one getting chased.
In our pack, I think Onyx is the Alpha, but the dynamics are changing as Karlo is maturing.
Kacie will submit(which is good, or I'd have many bitch fights) to both dogs.

Onyx is the one who enjoys being chased. She is fast, but I know Karlo is faster, so that isn't the reason for her lead position.
She is a nipper, she to have a ball or toy in her mouth-that may be the reason that the other dogs let her lead, they don't want to be herded constantly.

[EmilyK0429]

Well I only have one dog, but my parent's pup Tucker comes over quite often. When he is here, Meega is always doing the chasing. Tucker loves to be chased though as he typically steals her toy and runs and Meega loves to chase. Plus Tucker is about 10mos and then Meega is about 3.

[Jason L]

Dottie loves to be chased but she is definitely alpha. I think she sees being chased as being in control of the game because she gets to decide where the doggy train goes.

[aubie]

Anna loves to be chased...she just loves to RUN! But she will chase other dogs, but more than likely, she out front running like a spaz.

[onyx'girl]

Thats pretty funny to visualize, Jason! Little shortlegged Dottie controlling the doggy train!!

[Jason L]

Next time I take her to the park I'll have to video tape it. She suckers those long legged dogs into chasing her and then once she gets them up to full speed she starts cutting these really sharp corners and u-turns with her short corgi legs and all the dogs behind her just topple like dominos. One of these days she is going to break some dog's leg doing that.

[Castlemaid]

That's too funny, Jason! Corgis are not to be triffled with, LOL!

Thanks for sharing your observations all! It sounds to me like it does not have anything to do with the alpha positon, just what each dog prefers . . . but your comments about herding rang thrue, Jane. I think that is why Keeta chases (as opposed to being the one being chased), she is a nipper and a herder, so I think she is wanting to herd the other dog or dogs . . .

So funny once, before the big snow, Keeta and Gryff where in a crazy chase came, running a HUGE circle through the bush, tall pasture grass, woods on my property. Round and round and round they ran, full speed, Keeta chasing, both disappearing out of sight when running through the various areas of vegetation and woods. Then Keeta stopped dead in her tracks - Gryffon ran on, through the established circle. Keeta watched, and waited, then Gryff came full circle around and as soon as he caught up behind her, Keeta took of like a gazelle!! The chase game was back on, with Keeta in the lead this time, Gryff not even breaking stride.

I am always amazed when I see my dogs so obviously thinking ahead and planning their actions out - takes a lot of abstract thinking!

[onyx'girl]

I absolutely love to watch the dogs chase each other. We have pine trees that they go round and round, then the other way, stalking, too. I am so glad my dogs are able to run, I'd hate it if they had to be tethered to go outside, as some do.