Best Friends not so much

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Yesterday evening we ran into our friends with their two Blue Healers....Saffron and Sophie. We all use to play together quite often in our backyard and Daisy went to Daycare with these two since she was old enough. She loved them both but played best with Sophie.

Well circumstances with leash laws and their two (they herd every little being if they are not leashed) has necessitated us from getting together as much because, well frankly Daisy is behaved and their two were not. They never listened when called and would just run after whom or what ever. However, we still do see them from time to time.

Daisy always loved Sophie, they are a week apart in age, but the last few times Daisy has been sort of crabby with her and poor Sophie really really is trying to still be her Bestie. Last night Sophie just kept crawling over to her on the grass, half belly up and one paw and Daisy would just bark at her and walk away. After a few tries Daisy did bounce and bow with her for a very short minute but then it was over.

I really just don't understand at all. Anyone else have this type of behavior showing up?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We had the same problem with Fudge after Vern arrived. She became very picky about what female dogs she liked and did not like. She has gone to my dog sitter's since she was a puppy and she watches a really wild Chocolate Lab too and Fudge was good with her and then all of a sudden, not so much. Same at the dog park...I don't even go anymore. I wish I knew the answer too.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Lisa - I don't have a clue.  This makes me curious though.  The "season" down here in FL will start to crank up around late Sept/early Oct. and Rooney is now a different dog than he was pre-Stuart.  Rooney was a the verge of being nicely (o.k. they strongly hinted) that he was too big for the small dog play time at the dog park (in his defense he looks 15 pds heavier than he really is due to his fur).  Stuart IS too large and so we are going to have to leave all our friends behind and go to the park a little later for large dog time.  I wonder how Rooney will interact now that he has had Stuart to teach him to stick up more for himself.  I'll be watching for just the type of situation you describe with Daisy.  Interesting.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Jane, I'm guessing that Rooney will do great with the larger dogs.  I've had Guinness in with the "big dogs" from the time we got Murph to keep them together, and he does fine.  I'm guessing he thinks he's a "big dog" too.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned has always been on the big dog side of the park  and normally there isn't a problem.  I do try to check things out, not for size but for aggressive dogs.  Ned has been 'rolled' by a Border Collie (who thought he was a sheep maybe).  He screamed like a girl but was not hurt. Clancy has had 'face off's which are scary to me.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It's very interesting how they pick and choose who they like.  When my guys are at daycare there are some dogs they'll play with all day and others that they just ignore.  If we could only read their minds.....

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Guess they're a bit like people - we kind of pick and choose our friends...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Were there any toys involved?   Nearby?  Were they re-introduced on neutral ground again? Or on one of the dog's territory.  I don't understand also, if all the dogs were leashed, just one leashed, or not.  All these make a big difference.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

All 3 dogs were leashed....they were on neutral ground, the place we always met. NO toys just 3 dogs, 4 owners. It was just weird, like she no longer liked Sophie. Saffron she had no problem with. Poor Sophie just kept trying and eventually did win out but only for a moment.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

By now, some of us seasoned members have dogs who are entering adult stages of life. Even though we are out of the Puppy Madness Group we still have some issues to deal with.  Recently I have been reading and in another discussion this week, the young Adult Stage of dogs comes to my mind.  I'm seeing and dealing with new issues myself. 

Hope this helps.  The last article explains it best but there are many more out there.

Young Adulthood 1 1/2 to 2 years
Many dogs will show a rise in their level of aggressions during this time. They may become protective and territorial and may make a new attempt to dominate their owners. Incidents of teenage flakiness may recur.
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/stages.html

Maturity 1-4 years

Refers to sexual maturity as opposed to being full-grown. Smaller dogs mature earlier, larger dogs later. If you were lax in your work earlier on, you may now see the things you have missed: object guarding, unfavorable reactions towards unfamiliar people, animals, or things that your dog missed during the socialization stage.
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/DevelopmentalStages.html

Mature Adulthood (1 - 4 Years) During this period your dog may again become aggressive and assertive. For instance, he may become more turf-protective, by barking when someone comes to the door. Temper his protective behaviors by teaching him how to accept strangers into your home. His friendly play with other dogs may escalate to fighting with other dogs. Teach you dog to ignore other dogs that he sees if he can't be friendly towards them. Take him to places where there will be a few dogs at first and train him there. Then, train him in areas with more and more dogs. Next, allow him to interact with non threatening dogs. Puppies and bitches are good choices, if he is a male. Always praise his positive efforts to interact or if he displays no reaction. Gradually move onto male dogs. At bit of caution here, adult members of the same sex, no matter what animals species, tend to compete with one another. Putting together two strange adults of the same sex could result in a fight. Watch for behavioral signs of playfulness before allowing two dogs to play together. Also, be alert to the posturing of aggressive behaviors. Watch for circling behaviors, walking on toes, stiff tail wags, and tense facial expressions. Adulthood is also a time that your dog may again test your position as pack leader. If he does, handle him firmly, suspend any rough play that may be giving him the idea that he can dominate you, and continue with training. Additional classes or private help with training may be a wise investment. It can provide you with the structure and commitment to train him that you need at this time. Proceed with training in a matter-of-fact, no nonsense manner and your dog will become a reasonably obedient dog. Give him lots of positive attention for his efforts!
http://www.doberman.org/articles/puppy.htm

 

[Adina P]

How old were they when they last played nicely?

I think part of it is maturity and growing into their adult dog selves--NOT all adult dogs enjoy playing.  I think it's important to remove human terms from the equation like "Bestie" because dogs just don't necessarily operate like that.  It's not even that there was some weird signals from one to the other as much as those other dogs are a different breed with different preferences now that they are adult dogs.  They aren't necessarily meant to freely play nor do they necessarily LIKE to freely play with other dogs--even if they did when they were young.  We can't expect dogs to have 'best friends' like we do and keep them forever even if some dogs seem to have such relationships.  It's cute that Daisy appears to want to play and 'be friends' but the other dog might simply find her to be annoying and not want to interact that way at this point in her adult life. Don't take it personally, it's just the nature of some dogs and it's best if they are left to enjoy their dog life without our expectations of romping and frolicking and best friending each other.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Daisy is the one who no longer wants to play - Sophie is the one who keeps trying....and of course the humans in the equations want them all to be friends cause we are. They don't fight but Daisy definitely gets annoyed with her because she is pesty. 

I am the one who has the hardest time with it because one of the owners thinks Daisy is mean, which she is not. I couldn't care less except when "she" says Daisy is not a nice dog - ugh!

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

oh and they played nicely up until about 3 months ago, putting them both at 18 months.