Darwin Finally Became Assertive... When Did Your Doodle?

[Camilla and Darwin]

So during lunchtime today we took Darwin out for a romp in a large grassy area near our home. There is almost never anyone there, although we've seen other dogs playing there on rare occasions. Anyways, we let Darwin off and as he was playing he was joined by 3 other dogs - 2 Malamutes and a Husky. 

It went really well, they all got along and had a fun time. However, we noticed something different. The Husky puppy went to mount Darwin, and Darwin turned, growled, and made a snapping motion. The puppy got down and they kept playing as though nothing had happened. The puppy didn't mount him again.

I found this odd because he has never done anything even remotely like this when playing with another dog, even when they mounted him (which believe me used to happen all of the time). I wondered if it could be that now he's getting older, he's more assertive or less tolerant of that kind of behavior? Don't get me wrong - I am happy that he's learned to stand up for himself, and say no to behavior he's not enjoying. Just a break from the norm I guess.

I also noticed that he was sticking close to us. Every few minutes he'd come back and sit against our legs, then run back off to play more. The other dogs weren't badly behaved or overwhelming at all, and he didn't act stressed whatsoever.I was just wondering if all of this might be a sign that he's transitioning from a puppy-ish play style to an older more mature one.

It has been quite a while since he's played with unfamiliar dogs... maybe 6 months or more. 

Did your doodle change in play style from puppy to adult? Did they like playing with other dogs less as they grew older? I think I remember someone saying that their dog (Was it Adina's Rosco?) liked playing with dogs less when he got older.

Thanks everyone! Here are some pictures from the outing.

This one makes me laugh

[Gail and Bailey]

Thanks Laurie.....I was sitting here waiting for the email to arrive saying I was booted from DK.  

I feel better now knowing I am in good company!  :>)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My latest blog is censored :) I could have added $$ instead of ss and gotten around all of it, but it makes me laugh. I should be censored when I drive, too.

[Gail and Bailey]

LOL...me too! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A while back, the settings were so rigid that a FG post about Dick Van Patten dog food came out as D**k Van Patten, lol! I started a discussion about it that you might find funny. It also explains how some words automatically get censored. The "naughty words" list was reduced as a consquence, so what started out as "A Man named D**k had a B***h Named Fluffy" is now asterisk free: 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/a-man-named-dick-had-a-bitch

[Gail and Bailey]

Thanks for the laughs, Karen!  Love this discussion!  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL

[Camilla and Darwin]

LOL!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

 HA HA HA!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I read h**** when I saw it : )

[Gail and Bailey]

That is what I wrote first.  After it was censored I came up with a mild alternative.  Funny that it got censored for you too!! LOL

[Gail and Bailey]

Funny...when I saw your comment on my email it had the uncensored word and on DK's page it is censored.

[Christine & Camus]

I think Camus was just past 2 when he decided to be more assertive in letting another dog know that mounting was a no go.  In the beginning he was fearful and of course the other dogs picked up on it and all, male and females, tried to mount him.  Then he started to turn in a tight circle and hit the dog with his hip.  That tactic lasted a little over a year then the growling started.  Now his growl is very assertive.  In the last year he has also become very protective at home, but is still a sweet and goofy dog!