Interesting Things That Happen In Dog Parks

[corvus]

Erik and Kivi were hooning around the park this morning hopefully running off all their excess energy. This pup we have met a few times comes along and he's all excited because there are lots of dogs to play with and Erik starts chasing him. They run around for a bit and then Erik stops for a breather and the pup (who is almost Kivi's size) bounces around and ends up bumping into Erik with his chest. Erik gets knocked off balance and has to lay on the ground, and the pup is now kind of standing too close for him to get up and trying to nudge Erik into another game. Erik's body language changes as suddenly he feels he's not in control of the situation anymore. It was very subtle and mild and I wasn't planning on doing anything about it because it looked like Erik would sort himself out and the pup is a pretty gentle lad, but then Kivi bounds over and just lightly chest barges the pup backwards a step or two and gives him a friendly nuzzle and lick and leads him away a few metres with a short chase and wrestle game. So Erik has the chance to get up and then he runs over and joins Kivi's game with the pup and everyone is happy again.

Coincidence, or was Kivi looking out for his little brother? I'm leaning towards the latter because Kivi isn't normally much of a barger. He usually barges as a bit of a cheeky and playful retaliation if another dog has done something cheeky to him. For example, one time his friend Rosy came tearing down from the other end of the park, barged into him when he didn't even know she was coming, and then took off again. He picked himself up, ran after her, and barged her back, then came trotting back to us. But maybe today he just got aroused by Erik on the ground and this pup bouncing around him.

[spottychick]

I'm leaning towards kivi looking out for Erik Sweet

[W Sibs]

I can see, that it will be something Kivi would do.. to look out for Erik

[wuffles]

Sounds cute Our older dog doesn't seem to be great friends with our pup at home, but he sure keeps an eye out for her when other dogs are around. Not protective as such, but similar to your boys, just diffusing situations that he isn't sure about.

[MavericksMission]

aw thats cute!

I think Kivi was looking out for little Erik

[lovemesideways]

Sound like Kivi was taking control of the situation :D!

(They're both too adorable for words btw !)

Something kind of similar happened when Riddick was playing with his buddy Regal (a 8 month old black labrador).

We where at Bayview beach. A cattle dog cross was invited by Riddick into the game of chaseys and all was going well. But then the cattle dogs body language went from playing to being a bit over the top, and Riddicks changed from happy and playful to not too sure.

Before I could step forward though, Regal leaves the ball he was fetching to go and shoulder the cattle dog away from Riddick, and starts playing with riddick exclusively, completely ignoring the cattle dog. Both of them ignored the other dog and it trotted off and left them alone.

Don't you love the things dogs do and we try to explain it

[Erny]

It's not uncommon for a 'pack' member to be the one who diffuses situations. I have a wonderful DVD of my boy with two other 'family' dogs - one of which worked really hard at 'diffusing'. It is always very interesting to watch.

[corvus]

Before I could step forward though, Regal leaves the ball he was fetching to go and shoulder the cattle dog away from Riddick, and starts playing with riddick exclusively, completely ignoring the cattle dog. Both of them ignored the other dog and it trotted off and left them alone.

Don't you love the things dogs do and we try to explain it

Aww. You look out for the little man, Regal. :D They are pretty adorable as well.

Sometimes Kivi comes over all paternal-like. Earlier in the week Erik was nauseous for some mysterious reason and curled up miserably against Kivi's shoulder. Kivi was nuzzling his face and licking his ears. Awww.

[Danois]

Boo and his best buddy do this - he has herded away a GSD at the beach and engaged it in play when it was hassling his friend. In turn she has intervened when Boo was being harassed by a SWF and kept it away from him.

They look out for each other.

[KnucklesDutchnUs]

Knuckles was play wrestling with another dog in the park once, when the other dog got a little rough Knuckles's mate Max noticed and ran from the other side of the park and body-slammed the other dog off Knuckles. They all went back to playing then, but no more wrestling.

[lovemesideways]

Before I could step forward though, Regal leaves the ball he was fetching to go and shoulder the cattle dog away from Riddick, and starts playing with riddick exclusively, completely ignoring the cattle dog. Both of them ignored the other dog and it trotted off and left them alone.

Don't you love the things dogs do and we try to explain it

Aww. You look out for the little man, Regal. They are pretty adorable as well.

Sometimes Kivi comes over all paternal-like. Earlier in the week Erik was nauseous for some mysterious reason and curled up miserably against Kivi's shoulder. Kivi was nuzzling his face and licking his ears. Awww.

Aww Kivi is such a cuddley boy, I can just see him looking after Erik. (Where are the photos I say :D *nudge nudge* ?)

Have you ever noticed how some dogs seem to give each other the all clear to do Whatever possible?

When Regal and Riddick see each other they just catapult, bodyslam and frolicking ensues. You almost wince at the collision. :D

[Trisven13]

It's not uncommon for a 'pack' member to be the one who diffuses situations. I have a wonderful DVD of my boy with two other 'family' dogs - one of which worked really hard at 'diffusing'. It is always very interesting to watch.

Its interesting isn't it?

Anyone who has met my Fauves would know that they're very easy-going and great with other dogs. They very rarely growl at each other let alone anyone else.

One day, when Daphne was around 6 months old, they and some pups were in the front yard eating chicken carcasses. A pushy little pup came up to Daphne's bone to take it off her, and of course Daphne didn't do anything. Marie came flying from a few metres away, told the pup off in no uncertain terms and stood there for a bit until she was sure Daphne had her chicken carcass. :rofl: I've never seen her do it since but it was so incredibly protective that I was gobsmacked.