Playing or Fighting?

[smileyzookie]

I found a neighbor I go to church with who has a dog. So, we've started walking in the evenings. Riven goes APE when another dog barks or is near. So I thought I'd get her socialized with the neighbors dog and then we'd walk, hoping they'd play and wear off some energy before. I think this other dog, an 8 month old Lab named Penny, was trying to mount her. Riven is fixed, Penny is not. Riven was having NONE of this and continually nipped and growled at Penny till FINALLY the dog got the point. I took this video, cause I dont know if they're playing or fighting. Penny kept grabbing Rivens neck but then they'd take off running around again, so here's a video. I apologize for the talking, but when there are 3 little girls around its pretty hard to have a silent video lol.

 

[gypsy84]

They're just playing. If they were fighting, you'd know it - trust me.

 

Dogs mounting each other is a sign of dominance, or attempts to establish their dominance over each other. You said Riven isn't socialized, so her "not having any of it" is probably just her nervousness or uncertainty about the other dog.

 

My sister's dog is a "cheek biter" and when he's playing, he'll run up to another dog, gently nip its cheeks, face, or neck and then run away like a big tease in the hope that the other dog will run and chase him. Everything's a big game

 

From the video it looks like this is what Penny is doing. Riven probably just doesn't know that she's "supposed" to chase her. Or she could just have more sense than to bother with a silly pup

 

She'll probably get more comfortable with other dogs the more she's around them, just make sure the other dogs are friendly and well-socialized and you'll have nothing to worry about.

 

Lisa

 

ETA: Also, you said that she went crazy even seeing another dog. I'm assuming this is when you take her out on walks. If you want her to calm down a bit, try letting her play with another dog for an hour or so until she's pretty used to them. Then with your friend, take them both for a walk together. Once they're used to walking together after they've played, try going for a walk as soon as you and your friend get together. Keep the dogs apart, and only let them meet each other once Riven's settled down a bit. This way, being calm while walking with another dog is rewarding.

[nancy]

Looks to me like the brown dog is getting the best of the black one. Although, when the black one is up against the wall, it seems to be wagging its tail and not looking upset. But that could be an attempt at appeasement.

 

Fergie is a spayed female. She gets along well with other spayed females of all breeds and with most males (we try to avoid intact females after several unpleasant events). She has played to a degree that initially upset DH - he thought she was at risk. The only thing that makes her do a quick correction snap is if another dog does too much intimate sniffing. She does have her sense of propriety.

 

I'd see how your dog reacts the next time near that other dog. Ferg still has a ball with some dogs we worried about. And she still avoids others. We trust her judgment. But we have kept her apart from dogs with which she has had issues. Well, she now gets along fine with the fat yellow lab down the hill at whom she snapped when he was an obnoxious puppy.

[Lunar]

Yep, they're definitely just playing. Zoe always viciously chews/bites on Zeeke's cheek during their play... and yeah, it's really easy to tell when they get ticked off and start fighting. (Lots of not-good noise.) It is something you have to learn though just by watching... when we first got Zoe I was always paranoid that they weren't playing. Now I know how to tell quite easily.

[Tassie]

Agreed - definitely playing, Donna. Notice especially the body language, - soft and relaxed, and tails neutrally waving. The lab certainly looks pushier than Riven, but Riven was being nice and tolerant. Mind you, I haven't got sound on my PC at work, so I was watching in silence - but maybe that's good - helps to see the body language.

 

I would continue to be vigilant, and break things up if you think that Riven is getting a bit over it, or the lab is being too pushy. No dramatics - just something like "OK, that'll do - and go and do something else.

 

Sometimes 2 dog playing can be quiet - other times it's accompanied by 'fearsome' noises - like the 2 Staffies (same family) I watched running a playing together last night. I'd probably go by body language rather than noise - although that said, you'll know when the noise changes to something serious!

 

Parallel walking is a great way to help dogs to interact too. You and the neighbour could just go for a walk together with the dogs - that will help the lab to learn to be a little more mature.

[smileyzookie]

The lab is definately really pushy. Neither of the two dogs has been socialized much, so I think they're just testing their limits. While on the walk to day, there were 2 labs male and female, and they snapped at Penny the yellow lab, but kept sniffing and pawing and trying to play with Riven. She got really nervous, and I could tell she just wanted away from them. What should I do in that sort of situation? Rescue her and let her essentially walk away from them or make her stay and deal with it? I am nervous because there are 2 dogs and I've heard about a "pack mentality" where they'd pick on her cause they are a pack.

 

Im glad to hear most of you think they were playing. I was nervous that they weren't and Riven was gonna snap and really attack her.

[Tassie]

In the situation on the walk - #1 - try to be calm and assertive - your tension will go straight to Riven otherwise (I know - easier said than done #2 - politely say to the owners that your dog is a little nervous around strange dogs, and could they please get their dogs to give her some more space. Make it clear that you're not suggesting their dogs are acting aggressive (even though they may be acting a bit rude), but that it would be a real help to your girl if they could give her some space while she gets used to them being around.

 

Of course, if being polite doesn't work, you could get a bit more assertive. If you think Riven is getting worried, put yourself between other dogs and her, and calmly turn and go - saying to her something cheery like "OK, let's go!" - and head off in a different direction, praising/treating her for coming with you nicely and paying attention.

 

One of the things you can be doing is working out her reaction distance. Then when there are other (pleasant) dogs around, work with her just outside her reactive distance, and gradually, over a period of time, see if you can close it in a bit. Don't force her beyond what she's comfortable with though.