Do I Need To Be Worried? What Does This Behaviour Mean?

[baifra]

Hi all,

Rusty,our Female ACD (desexed) and Jessie our female SBT (desexed) have just come home from 2 weeks in boarding kennels (first time in kennels).

We have noticed that Rusty, the dominant of the two has been constantly following Jessie around licking and 'grooming' her around the face and back. She has done this occasionally before but this is almost constant since coming home.

She also stands over Jessie who stands still, tail high in the air and ears pricked, no eye contact and not moving until Rusty walks away. Jessie doesn't look overly uncomfortable and she does this every time we meet new dogs but it is starting to make us nervous as we are unable to read the behaviour.

Jessie doesn't try to move away when Rusty is licking her but she does look very 'alert'.

Bit of background.

They are both rescue dogs, Rusty is approx 8 years old and we have had her for 4 years.

Jessie is Nearly 11 years old and we have had her for nearly two years.

They have had two fights with each other in the past, the first was over a toy and was quite nasty, involving a vet trip for both. This happened approx 1 month after we adopted Jessie and the second fight was very minor, no injuries over in seconds involving a bone and occured approx 2 months ago. Both times Rusty has been the instigator.

We recently lost out 12 year ols lab x. ? change in pack dynamics.

Is this behaviour acceptable? Do we need to intervene?

Advice much appreciated.

[baifra]

Bump Anyone???

[toy dog]

Hi, from what i can understand, it sounds like rusty is reacting to maybe the smell of another dog on Jessie. maybe try giving them both a wash to get rid of any strange dog smell.

yes that is normal behaviour protecting their own bones mine do it. i just supervise a bit more closely to avoid any territorial issues.

just a natural instinct nothing to be worried about.

if they aren't full on fighting i wouldn't be worried about it, just normal behaviour really. i have a "pack" and occassionally yes you see a pecking order happening, so it sounds like rusty is the dominant one and jessie is a bit more laid back about the whole thing.

when you get two dogs to be accustomed to each other in a home its understandable they need some time to adjust to each other so the fight at the start when you brought in the new dog, is just normal.

Edited July 18, 2008 by BIG DOG

[baifra]

Hi, from what i can understand, it sounds like rusty is reacting to maybe the smell of another dog on Jessie. maybe try giving them both a wash to get rid of any strange dog smell.

yes that is normal behaviour protecting their own bones mine do it. i just supervise a bit more closely to avoid any territorial issues.

just a natural instinct nothing to be worried about.

if they aren't full on fighting i wouldn't be worried about it, just normal behaviour really. i have a "pack" and occassionally yes you see a pecking order happening, so it sounds like rusty is the dominant one and jessie is a bit more laid back about the whole thing.

when you get two dogs to be accustomed to each other in a home its understandable they need some time to adjust to each other so the fight at the start when you brought in the new dog, is just normal.

Thanks for the feedback BIG DOG.

Im not too concerned about the previous fights as I know the triggers and we feed them in seperate rooms, have done for over a year now. The bone incident happened when Rusty buried her bone and I didnt confiscate it quickly enough before Jessie turned up and Rusty jumped her!! Our fault.

It's just this obssessive 'grooming' that is very new. They have both had baths and didn't socialise with other dogs whilst kenneled so I really dont know what has started it and whether I should be concerned.

Jessie hasn't reacted with aggression but I just cant read her body language on this one.

[GSDhandler]

im very limited in knowledge when it comes to dogs, but from waht you described, i so dont know, becuae it almsot soundls like courting behaviour... alhtough niether should have any sex drive, since they are both desexed. ??? :? i really dont know mate.

so long sa it hasnt become an impediment on the dogs livng style let it play out for another week or so. then maybe speak to a pro

[Kelpie-i]

We have noticed that Rusty, the dominant of the two has been constantly following Jessie around licking and 'grooming' her around the face and back. She has done this occasionally before but this is almost constant since coming home.

This could be either one of 2 things:

1. smells from the kennels (highly unlikley to bring on this behaviour)

2. Stress and compulsive behaviour (on the licking dog's part)

Grooming each other is natural pack behaviour which is seen in some dog packs. I think the problem with your dog is not so much the grooming but more an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which has probably been worsened by stress from being in the kennels.

You don't state what YOU do when you see this happen, but the worst you can do is talk to the dog (as most owners do) when you see it happen which only reinforces the behaviour. Best thing to do is distract the dogs to break the habit and get them involved in something else. It is best to catch him as he is THINKING of doing it and distract him.

Of course, I give this advice based purely on the information you provide and it does not replace any advice given to you by a behaviourist who has or may consult with you on a private basis.

The rest of the behaviours you mention are typical of multiple dog households.

[baifra]

We have noticed that Rusty, the dominant of the two has been constantly following Jessie around licking and 'grooming' her around the face and back. She has done this occasionally before but this is almost constant since coming home.

This could be either one of 2 things:

1. smells from the kennels (highly unlikley to bring on this behaviour)

2. Stress and compulsive behaviour (on the licking dog's part)

Grooming each other is natural pack behaviour which is seen in some dog packs. I think the problem with your dog is not so much the grooming but more an OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which has probably been worsened by stress from being in the kennels.

You don't state what YOU do when you see this happen, but the worst you can do is talk to the dog (as most owners do) when you see it happen which only reinforces the behaviour. Best thing to do is distract the dogs to break the habit and get them involved in something else. It is best to catch him as he is THINKING of doing it and distract him.

Of course, I give this advice based purely on the information you provide and it does not replace any advice given to you by a behaviourist who has or may consult with you on a private basis.

The rest of the behaviours you mention are typical of multiple dog households.

Thanks for the insight!

When we first noticed what Rusty was doing we just observed, then we did intervene by calling her away from Jessie but we will definently be distracting her as you have suggersted.

Rusty can be a handful at times. She licks us constantly, always has and 'paws' at us, especially around the chest and face. She is reprimanded and told sternly to get down., which she does but the behaviour has never gone away.

She gets plenty of exercise and playtime to keep her stimulated.

We have never used physical punishment and never will.

They get on very well together and play well with most other dogs. (SBT is not great with other females unless introduced very carefully)

Thanks for the advice.

Edited July 18, 2008 by baifra

[Kelpie-i]

Rusty can be a handful at times. She licks us constantly, always has and 'paws' at us, especially around the chest and face. She is reprimanded and told sternly to get down., which she does but the behaviour has never gone away.

This sounds like attention seeking behaviour. Some dogs can be very 'needy' types which can result in stress if/when their 'needs' are not met. Reprimanding does not help with the problem as even this can be seen as reinforcement, believe it or not and only increases stress levels.

A good leadership program will not go astray...try the NILIF program which is easily found on google.

Good luck!

[baifra]

Rusty can be a handful at times. She licks us constantly, always has and 'paws' at us, especially around the chest and face. She is reprimanded and told sternly to get down., which she does but the behaviour has never gone away.

This sounds like attention seeking behaviour. Some dogs can be very 'needy' types which can result in stress if/when their 'needs' are not met. Reprimanding does not help with the problem as even this can be seen as reinforcement, believe it or not and only increases stress levels.

A good leadership program will not go astray...try the NILIF program which is easily found on google.

Good luck!

Thank you Kelpie-i.

She is a 'needy' dog.

She was found out in the bush in appauling condition and when we adopted her she was very timid and took some months before she relaxed a little and learnt to trust us.

I have often said that she doesnt seem to care if she gets negative or positive attention as long as she is getting attention!!

I will try NILIF and see how she goes.