Dog behaviour

S

Snuffles

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2014
Messages
1,678
Visit site
My older dog used to have a right go at the second dog if he invaded his space, then afterwards would lick his mouth (second dogs)
Is this an "apology" or what ? Dogs were not ever friends just lived side by side (like some marriages :D)
 
In this instance I would say it was stress, dog invades his space which he is very uncomfortable about, has a go at the other dog, then licks lips to show stress, its almost self comforting.

I would expect other signals prior to this when the other dog is just about to invade his space.
 
My two have both done it to the other after one has told the other one off. it appears to me to be concilatory behaviour ie 'sorry dude, I overeacted!' (anthropomorphic maybe, I dont care). they are pretty good mates now but they've each had to learn how to play with the other.
 
Tallulah, my medium sized cross breed is a huge fan of all other dogs. She's a very happy, friendly, outgoing girl and is always submissive when she meets new dogs (and even her bestest buddies) She'll often adopt 'the Mexican standoff' approach initially, to sum up the other dog. If she gets the slightest hint there is a chance of a friendly interaction, she'll go forward immediately and introduce herself by throwing herself at their feet, rolling onto her back to expose her tummy and bits! - she's a bit of a hussy :o If that goes well, she'll try to instigate play, if it's not already forthcoming. If play is not reciprocated, she'll often try to encourage the other dog by liking its mouth, definitely submissive and placatory. If the other dog really isn't into playing and eventually shows their teeth (with no raised hackles or threatening growling) to tell her to FO, she's even been known to lick their teeth too! It does make me cringe but it often works for her and the other dog gives up and plays or chases her, win win:D

I will add, she shows excellent dog behaviour awareness and will act accordingly. One black Lab bitch we see occasionally on our walks, really dislikes her. (I don't think she's into Terriers much) Tallulah is able to spot this Lab a mile away, even if the Lab is playing with other black Labs. Tallulah will keep her distance and give her a very wide birth and will move away if the bitch tries to approach her.
 
chillipup said:
Tallulah, my medium sized cross breed is a huge fan of all other dogs. She's a very happy, friendly, outgoing girl and is always submissive when she meets new dogs (and even her bestest buddies) She'll often adopt 'the Mexican standoff' approach initially, to sum up the other dog. If she gets the slightest hint there is a chance of a friendly interaction, she'll go forward immediately and introduce herself by throwing herself at their feet, rolling onto her back to expose her tummy and bits! - she's a bit of a hussy :o If that goes well, she'll try to instigate play, if it's not already forthcoming. If play is not reciprocated, she'll often try to encourage the other dog by liking its mouth, definitely submissive and placatory. If the other dog really isn't into playing and eventually shows their teeth (with no raised hackles or threatening growling) to tell her to FO, she's even been known to lick their teeth too! It does make me cringe but it often works for her and the other dog gives up and plays or chases her, win win:D

I will add, she shows excellent dog behaviour awareness and will act accordingly. One black Lab bitch we see occasionally on our walks, really dislikes her. (I don't think she's into Terriers much) Tallulah is able to spot this Lab a mile away, even if the Lab is playing with other black Labs. Tallulah will keep her distance and give her a very wide birth and will move away if the bitch tries to approach her.
Click to expand...

Sorry completely misread that, I would say its an appeasement then, dogs dont do apologies not in our sense, probably their way of saying but we are still good eh lol
 
Licking of the lips/mouth in dogs can be for a whole host of reasons and is probably more complex than we understand. Appeasement, submission, stress and anxiety are the first things that come to mind, but dogs dog lick each others mouths to encourage play too. When it is the more dominant character licking the lips of a subservient then it could well be a placating behaviour after having gone a bit too far with putting the other in their place.
 
WorkingGSD said:
Licking of the lips/mouth in dogs can be for a whole host of reasons and is probably more complex than we understand. Appeasement, submission, stress and anxiety are the first things that come to mind, but dogs dog lick each others mouths to encourage play too. When it is the more dominant character licking the lips of a subservient then it could well be a placating behaviour after having gone a bit too far with putting the other in their place.
Click to expand...

Ah, so does this mean Tallulah could be the more dominant character, trying to instigate play? (even when she throws herself on her back at first meeting?) and then licks the mouth/teeth of the other dog if it shows her a set of teeth, in an appeasement/placating behaviour, as she knows she gone too far?

Don't mean to highjack the thread OP but this is very interesting (to me anyway :o)
 
actually, as an aside, I read an article on play behaviour today-they were discussing how throwing themselves on their back is an invite to play/self handicapping and not submissive (although it can be). Quarrie does this a lot when playing with Fitz-sometimes its almost like he's saying 'dude, come sit on my head and I'll see if I can still get up' :D

Although I try to not think in such terms too much, Quarrie is the larger and stronger and possibly more dominant although they are pretty evenly matched and get on really well.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
actually, as an aside, I read an article on play behaviour today-they were discussing how throwing themselves on their back is an invite to play/self handicapping and not submissive (although it can be).

Quarrie does this a lot when playing with Fitz-sometimes its almost like he's saying 'dude, come sit on my head and I'll see if I can still get up' :D.......
Click to expand...

LOL, Oh that is so funny MoC. Yes I'm now realising that this is what Tallulah is doing. Not submissive at all but self handicapping to get her own way? Oooo, what a conniving little bitch (I love her)Although she is quite small, (Cocker bitch size, or a tad smaller, perhaps) Her bessie mates are all Labradors, who are much bigger and stronger than she is and yet she can wind them up to chase her and it's just fab to see 3 or 4 Labs (The all Blacks) charging around the playing fields with Tallulah in amongst them, often being bulldozered and rolled at speed, getting back on her feet and going straight back into the affray to get some more fun. She's a tough little cookie! :D
 
chillipup said:
Ah, so does this mean Tallulah could be the more dominant character, trying to instigate play? (even when she throws herself on her back at first meeting?) and then licks the mouth/teeth of the other dog if it shows her a set of teeth, in an appeasement/placating behaviour, as she knows she gone too far?

Don't mean to highjack the thread OP but this is very interesting (to me anyway :o)
Click to expand...

It is hard to know what is going on without seeing the behaviour in action and, even then, I think dog to dog interaction is a highly complex business - and often confusing to us mere humans :) But yes, rolling on the back is not always a sign of submission or subservience, but can be a means of instigating play in the other dog.

How old is Tallulah? Puppies and young dogs often throw themselves on their backs and lick the lips and mouth of older dogs. This is tolerated by most adults unless it becomes incessant or continues into adulthood, when the licker is likely to get a sharp reprimand. Again, it may be a method of encouraging play or could be anxiety and a lack of self confidence.
 
Tallulah is just coming up to 18 months old WorkingGSD. I got her at 9weeks and introduced her to other known dogs (already vaccinated) inside the house and garden, straight away. After she had her 2nd jab, she was out experiencing the big wide world with me and hasn't stopped since. I guess she's still behaving like a pup with the older dogs. I'll try and get some up to date photos of her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top