Kira's playful behavior in this video... Opinions

[gsdraven]

I didn't see guarding. I saw a dog using a toy to entice play and engagement. The lab's body language says a lot though. Pilorection and high tail over the back. If Kira had actually guarded the stick, he likely would have started a fight.

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

I'm wondering if one reason why she's always getting trouble, is because maybe she has a dominant personality, and not the timid, shy dog I thought she was.
Others have told me that they've seen her sneak in a snarl or two around other dogs. Maybe she's the instigator.

What if.... She were to give off a dominant signal to a dominant dog?

This may all be wrong, but I did see something very different in her behavior, than what I've seen in the past.

For the record, shy timid dogs can cause aggression in other more dominant dogs. If the dog is showing unbalanced behavior, especially in a pack setting such as a dog park, they can cause a reaction from dogs who need to correct them for being unstable.

I am not saying Kira is one or other and I believe that the role changes depending on the circumstance. I have a client who at her private dog park is very comfortable and confident but I can't take her to a public dog park because she displays fearful behaviors and the other dogs all gang up on her and try to correct.

[carmspack]

Anthony you should be really happy with Kira here !!!!
just plain old play behaviour - both consenting -- reading each other , accommodating

look more at the lab though -- so that you can read the other dogs in Kira's vicinity . Do you know this dog at all?

from the moment the lab is on the screen he/she is showing signs of being arroused, tufted - lofting of hackle hair over shoulders and similar lofting of patch over his croup - plus tail up -- this dog was excited and a bit unsure and that could lead to this dog coming back with some unthinking reflexive defense .

but Kira -- bravo .

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

I didn't see guarding. I saw a dog using a toy to entice play and engagement. The lab's body language says a lot though. Pilorection and high tail over the back. If Kira had actually guarded the stick, he likely would have started a fight.



For the record, shy timid dogs can cause aggression in other more dominant dogs. If the dog is showing unbalanced behavior, especially in a pack setting such as a dog park, they can cause a reaction from dogs who need to correct them for being unstable.

I am not saying Kira is one or other and I believe that the role changes depending on the circumstance. I have a client who at her private dog park is very comfortable and confident but I can't take her to a public dog park because she displays fearful behaviors and the other dogs all gang up on her and try to correct.

^^^ This is something I've learned from my own experiences with Kira.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by carmspack

Anthony you should be really happy with Kira here !!!!
just plain old play behaviour - both consenting -- reading each other , accommodating

look more at the lab though -- so that you can read the other dogs in Kira's vicinity . Do you know this dog at all?

from the moment the lab is on the screen he/she is showing signs of being arroused, tufted - lofting of hackle hair over shoulders and similar lofting of patch over his croup - plus tail up -- this dog was excited and a bit unsure and that could lead to this dog coming back with some unthinking reflexive defense .

but Kira -- bravo .

Carmen,

I didn't want to get off topic, but here's what happened:

I was alone with Kira at our usual location. About 100 feet to the left, comes this lab, loose off leash. My first reaction was "oh shoot", here we go again. However, since Kira was in "training mode", and we were working on her heel, I kept her at heel, and got in front of her.
The lab stopped in front of me, and her hacks and tail were up. Nothing happened. Both dogs just stood there. Kira didn't react (yay!), and the other dog listened to its owner and stayed.
A few moments later, they went into a play bow, and seemed friendly. we both decided to let them play.

I was hoping you and others would get a good read on Kira's signals. She's been a work in progress for me, and I was looking forward to the input.

[carmspack]

"The lab stopped in front of me, and her hacks and tail were up." that is the moment that something could have happened -- reflexive defense - from Kira -- because the message is mixed , a little fear aggressive from the other dog - so Kira did very very well to not react and read the other dog who was in her space .

the dog should have been introduced with more care , on lead , blaming the other person --

Anthony how furious would you have been if the dog did not pause and lit right into Kira , or was too abrupt , not allowing her to decide to play.

[Anthony8858]

Originally Posted by carmspack

"The lab stopped in front of me, and her hacks and tail were up." that is the moment that something could have happened -- reflexive defense - from Kira -- because the message is mixed , a little fear aggressive from the other dog - so Kira did very very well to not react and read the other dog who was in her space .

the dog should have been introduced with more care , on lead , blaming the other person --

Anthony how furious would you have been if the dog did not pause and lit right into Kira , or was too abrupt , not allowing her to decide to play.

I was already furious just seeing the dog approach. I've been down this road, and I was ready to do it some harm. I now carry "something" for these moments. I was relieved when he stopped, and very confident in Kira's heel. I work her heel and stay every day. Honestly, she's been amazing. Her focus has been awesome.

It's very hard to make me mad. I like people, and always allow for lack of understanding. If more people learned about dog behavior (as I've been attempting to do), that dog would not have been allowed to approach me.
Kira would NEVER stray away, and run into someone else's space like that dog did.