Question regarding "Tagging"

[Lilie]

When a dog begins to 'Tag' with his/her nose, is that him/her pushing the limit before he/she begins to actually bite?

My boy will be two in September. In play he always utilizes his body more than his mouth. He body pushes, body slams, blocks with his butt etc. Even when he is playing with the other dogs, he uses his body.

Just within the last few weeks, I've noticed he has begun to 'Tag' with his snout. No teeth are involved, he just sort of stabs the offender. He has been doing it to our older Golden and it really ticks the Golden off. Then the other night, my neighbor and his 20 year old son were over. In an animated conversation the son jumped off his ATV and sorta flailed his arms like he was falling towards me. Hondo leapt up and 'tagged' him in the chest. Hondo gave one bark and tagged. Because of how close I was, I was able to grab him. But I'm pretty sure he was finished. He was punished as his reaction (even with out the tag) is not allowed.

I don't recall if he has tagged hubby or I in play. Hondo plays as rough with us as we play with him. I am paying attention now.

My question is this, has Hondo found a new way to use his body (with out a bite even in play) or is he pushing the envelope?

[Stosh]

Wow, what a coincidence that you posted this- Stosh is doing the exact same thing. He's always been very playful using his body and he's doing it even while herding by moving them with chest bumps, pounces in front of them to get a quick reaction. Now he's doing it to people too, just like Hondo. He'll rush someone and get right up against them with his chest against them- no barking or growling or other sign of aggression, just the chest bump and snout tag. I'll be interested to see what others say!!

[Lilie]

Hate to say it but I'm glad to see Stosh doing it too. I'm curious ...if I'm not allowing him to release enough energy (because of the heat and he is a long hair I keep his exercise short) and he is getting frustrated. So when he is expending energy he is sorta losing control. Not in an aggressive way, but in a AHHHHHH!!!! way.

Stosh is a long hair. Have you kept his exercise down due to the heat as well?

[Stosh]

We've had to stop herding training because of the heat and he was neutered [at 19 mos old] so definitely his activity level is way down. Also, his best dog friend, a younger male gsd has a knee injury and hasn't been able to play. He only does it with people he knows, like the neighbors, my best friend, even us a few times. He has put his fur up between his shoulders but he does that when he's excited or playing, not an aggressive display. If I didn't know him I'd be kind of afraid but the people he does it to aren't- so maybe it's big boy play. Maybe you should bring Hondo up here and they can body block and chest butt their hearts out on each other!!

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Stosh

We've had to stop herding training because of the heat and he was neutered [at 19 mos old] so definitely his activity level is way down. Also, his best dog friend, a younger male gsd has a knee injury and hasn't been able to play. He only does it with people he knows, like the neighbors, my best friend, even us a few times. He has put his fur up between his shoulders but he does that when he's excited or playing, not an aggressive display. If I didn't know him I'd be kind of afraid but the people he does it to aren't- so maybe it's big boy play. Maybe you should bring Hondo up here and they can body block and chest butt their hearts out on each other!!

Like two football players! Too funny!

[Lilie]

Well, since I haven't heard anybody else with new behavior, I think I'll increase his exercise some and see if he continues to tag. Or if it changes to something else.

[Franksmom]

Frank does the same thing, I'm not an expert, but I've seen him do it to the other dogs to get them to move where he wants them, so I see it as a dominating type behavior and don't allow it with me. But like I said I'm no expert maybe someone wil chime in that is.

[kiya]

I think my girl Kiya "tags" the cat, I nicked named her the bottle nosed dolphin. I was worried and made sure to look for teeth, no teeth but she pokes hers pretty intensely with her snout.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by kiya

I think my girl Kiya "tags" the cat, I nicked named her the bottle nosed dolphin. I was worried and made sure to look for teeth, no teeth but she pokes hers pretty intensely with her snout.

Yes - that is what I'm talking about. If they are using their mouth, will teeth eventually make it's way into the action? Not in an aggressive sense, but in and effort to engage the poke-ee. If the rule is no teeth, should the poking - or tagging- be stopped now?

[kiya]

I'm not sure, my dogs have exellent bite inhabition. I don't know if the "tag" could lead to a bite or mouthing. Kiya will nibble me when she's over the top excited, unfortunately I have allowed this which I know it wasn't a good idea. She has a very high prey drive and when she starts zoning in on the cat, I try to distract her immediately and if she is tagging the cat I really watch her and I have to say she hasn't opened her mouth (yet). She is very forceful.