What is this behavior?

Freestep · 12-10-2011, 11:58 AM

When my two females are outside playing, and each has her own toy, my 12 month old Vinca will hit Luka with her toy. Usually it is while Luka is waiting for me to throw her ball, so she's just standing there, focused on me, and Vinca will bump, bump, bump her on the ribs or shoulders with the toy.

I don't know if she's trying to get Luka's attention, just harmless play, or if it's the beginnings of dominant behavior? Her tail isn't high, she's not giving Luka the hard eye, or getting in her face, and she doesn't growl or make any noise. Just bump, bump, bump. Sometimes it's pretty hard and makes a thudding sound against Luka's ribs. Luka pretty much ignores it and it doesn't seem to bother her, so I haven't worried about it, but what do you all think?

BR870 · 12-10-2011, 12:32 PM

Your dog is being dominant. You need to Alpha Roll it...

Freestep · 12-10-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR870

Your dog is being dominant. You need to Alpha Roll it...

Right.

But seriously, folks... I only ask so that I can prevent possible fighting in the future.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 12-10-2011, 01:20 PM

It might just be an invitation to play. Dena used to bonk Keefer on the head with a toy and then run away, trying to get him to chase and play with her, and he'd usually oblige.

katieliz · 12-10-2011, 01:37 PM

cash does that to me with his ball, he'll come over to me and bump, bump, bump me...in the arm, in the leg, in the head (if i'm on the floor), the chest...it's like he's going "hey, hey...PLAY with me, PLAY with me". i don't think it's a dominance issue, i think it's an invitation to play. but my conclusion is drawn from your description and i'd always be watchful with two girls.

Freestep · 12-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katieliz

i don't think it's a dominance issue, i think it's an invitation to play. but my conclusion is drawn from your description and i'd always be watchful with two girls.

Yeah, I know how it can be with bitches, so I am always mindful. Fortunately neither are a dominant type and neither go looking for fights, but neither are the type to back down, either! So far my girls have only gotten into a couple of verbal arguments, of course when Daddy is there and I'm not. They actually get along quite well, Luka is amazingly tolerant of the puppy obnoxiousness.

PaddyD · 12-10-2011, 02:34 PM

I agree with the invitation to play. My dog does the same thing. She just wants the other dog to chase her for it. She is saying, "Ha! See what I've got? Come and get it!"

NarysDad · 12-10-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

It might just be an invitation to play. Dena used to bonk Keefer on the head with a toy and then run away, trying to get him to chase and play with her, and he'd usually oblige.

I agree with this as it may just be an innocent way for her to get the attention off of you and back to her just to play. I don't see it as a dominance issue at all

brembo · 12-13-2011, 12:24 AM

Banjo hammers me with his ball, dog version of tapping someone on the shoulder?

12-10-2011, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	What is this behavior? When my two females are outside playing, and each has her own toy, my 12 month old Vinca will hit Luka with her toy. Usually it is while Luka is waiting for me to throw her ball, so she's just standing there, focused on me, and Vinca will bump, bump, bump her on the ribs or shoulders with the toy. I don't know if she's trying to get Luka's attention, just harmless play, or if it's the beginnings of dominant behavior? Her tail isn't high, she's not giving Luka the hard eye, or getting in her face, and she doesn't growl or make any noise. Just bump, bump, bump. Sometimes it's pretty hard and makes a thudding sound against Luka's ribs. Luka pretty much ignores it and it doesn't seem to bother her, so I haven't worried about it, but what do you all think? __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-10-2011, 12:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
BR870 Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 828	Your dog is being dominant. You need to Alpha Roll it... __________________ Rob Ezra von der Rennbahn Princess Abigail "Abbie" Kai (RIP) Loki (RIP)

12-10-2011, 01:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,959	It might just be an invitation to play. Dena used to bonk Keefer on the head with a toy and then run away, trying to get him to chase and play with her, and he'd usually oblige. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

12-10-2011, 01:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	cash does that to me with his ball, he'll come over to me and bump, bump, bump me...in the arm, in the leg, in the head (if i'm on the floor), the chest...it's like he's going "hey, hey...PLAY with me, PLAY with me". i don't think it's a dominance issue, i think it's an invitation to play. but my conclusion is drawn from your description and i'd always be watchful with two girls. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-13-2011, 12:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
brembo Master Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here, of course Posts: 696	Banjo hammers me with his ball, dog version of tapping someone on the shoulder? __________________ I seem to have misplaced my occipital lobe, and as such cannot search for it. Do you see my dilemma?

12-10-2011, 02:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	I agree with the invitation to play. My dog does the same thing. She just wants the other dog to chase her for it. She is saying, "Ha! See what I've got? Come and get it!"

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