play aggression/dominance

RainbowLass · #1 11-10-11, 06:11 PM

Hi all

I've just been out with a neighbour and her dog, she's not been here long and is looking for a friend so i thought we would go walkies together as she has a really sweet little rottie/whippet cross who she was keen to socialise with other doggies.

Rogue, being the star she is went out and bullied poor pippa the WHOLE time!
Not that pippa is that well used to other dogs, and certainly isn't used to being the one being lorded over... she was submissive enough but very vocal and yelpy and Rogue didn't seem to want to let it drop.

The question is, when do we intervene or do we just let them fight it out??

Rogue wasn't being aggressive, she was just putting the other dog in her place and she didn't like it much and even after a good half an hour she was still getting at her. I was worried that pippa was going to get hurt so i called her off a few times and gave her the 'leave' command more than once just to give this poor little dog a break!

We're going to try again in a couple of days, so i'm asking really what do I do? do i just let them get on with it and see how it goes or do i intervene when it goes on for a little too long??

We both know dogs pretty well, well enough not to go daft at the growling and yelping but i'd hate for pippa to get hurt!

wildmoor · #2 11-10-11, 06:15 PM

I would keep a check on it
pippa could end up being frightened of other dogs how old is she?

RainbowLass · #3 11-10-11, 06:34 PM

pippa is 11 months. She held her own i'd give her that... but i did get the feeling Rogue was playing a bit TOO rough!

wildmoor · #4 11-10-11, 06:37 PM

thats the problem when you have a load of juveniles playing together they dont learn the rules of acceptable behaviour is there any calm adult sociable dogs that will keep the peace and learn them manners?

RainbowLass · #5 11-10-11, 06:47 PM

possibly, we came across a guy with a pair of labradors and suddenly Rogue wasn't interested in Pippa anymore, and they played together the four of them really well!!

Thing is, Rogue is usually really good in a pack. There are a few dogs we go out with regularly and she is never a bother so i think i might persuade her along on one of those.....

I remember Rogue being a daft pup and other dogs putting HER in her place!!

wildmoor · #6 11-10-11, 06:53 PM

Rogue will know her place in the excisting pack she plays with lol
this new dog she probably see it as an oportunity to not be at the bottom

kita · #7 11-10-11, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainbowLass

Rogue, being the star she is went out and bullied poor pippa the WHOLE time!
Not that pippa is that well used to other dogs, and certainly isn't used to being the one being lorded over... she was submissive enough but very vocal and yelpy and Rogue didn't seem to want to let it drop.

The question is, when do we intervene or do we just let them fight it out??

Rogue wasn't being aggressive, she was just putting the other dog in her place and she didn't like it much and even after a good half an hour she was still getting at her. I was worried that pippa was going to get hurt so i called her off a few times and gave her the 'leave' command more than once just to give this poor little dog a break!

We're going to try again in a couple of days, so i'm asking really what do I do? do i just let them get on with it and see how it goes or do i intervene when it goes on for a little too long??

We both know dogs pretty well, well enough not to go daft at the growling and yelping but i'd hate for pippa to get hurt!

When you say Rogue was 'just putting her in her place' what do you mean?

It would worry me that the other dog was yelping - that is not part of play, it usually means the dog is getting worried and wants the 'game' to stop. Did the other dog have any way of getting away from Rogue (other than running away)?

It will not be doing Rogue any good if she is constantly bullying the other dog - the next dog she tries to 'put in their place' may object rather more strongly than this dog is able to.

I don't really like dogs putting other dogs 'in their place' or disciplining other dogs, I am the one in control of the walk and as such the disciplining should be up to me. If I have to tell a dog to leave another dog more than once then the walk/play time ends. Otherwise things can get really out of control and the dogs can end up getting hurt.

Sue

RainbowLass · #8 11-10-11, 07:21 PM

Rogue was playing dominant... standing, putting her head over pippa's shoulder, wrestling, putting her on her back, that kind of stuff.

A little bit of barking, a bit of posturing but nothing overly aggressive unless Pippa fought back. Rogue's hackles weren't up and her tail was loose, i think it showed just how under socialised Pippa is she just didn't seem to be reading the signals. I know Rugs can be a dominant dog, motherish almost and normally dogs who hold their own she's fine with and has a good run with.
Pippa had plenty room to escape, and we separated them and played with them on their own a few times just to get them to calm down a little, and to get them used to being around each other without actually interacting.

The thing is, Rogue is pretty well socialised and if she's the one put in her place she accepts it well and settles in easily.

She's doggie marmite! either other dogs really like her, or really don't!!