Fighting Shelties? Or something else?

Chris said:
As Beckon grows, he takes on Bitsy Boodle, our Alpha, once in a while. So far, she lifts her lip above her eyebrows, whirls and snaps at him. Chicken boy woofs and backs off. Annie mounts him in mock-fighting just to remind him he's only slightly above a toaster on the evolutionary scale. :lol: So I suspect it's dominance games. Oh, the joy of raising a pack!
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A toaster, hahahahhahaha! That's a good one!
 
OntarioSheltie said:
Check out our family photo :lol:

Despite what it looks like, Sadie really does love her little sister and was actually playing quite gently with her, as she always does.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Ontario...key=Gv1sRgCOz7jLyB-oiz1wE#5489658313590385826

http://picasaweb.google.com/Ontario...key=Gv1sRgCOz7jLyB-oiz1wE#5489658323190034914

http://picasaweb.google.com/Ontario...key=Gv1sRgCOz7jLyB-oiz1wE#5489658339686526770
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hahahahaha
those are AWESOME, how funny
ALmost good enough for the best pet photo category ;)
Of course with just the two of them, they are being good as gold :)
 
are they still best buddies when they not fighting? Do they continue to play with each other after the fight? Some growls might look really nasty but if you see dogs going after each other for more after they broke some ferocious fight they probably were playing...
as to why such could be happening... dog pack dynamics is not always clear thing and new dog in the family could increase stress for everyone, not enough attention to older dogs, not enough exercise, not giving them their usual space...
 
If they're playing you'll see play signs within the rough housing (playbows, etc) and the barks are more yippy. If they are jockeying for rank, you'll see them struggling to "be on top" until one gives and the barking/growling is a lot more "singing" in quality with a lot of groaning/mouthing/yawning type sounds. If its a fight there is just TONS of aggression in the bark/growl, the ears are flat, teeth constantly bared, etc.

Here's a video of Figaro and Newton playing...circa 12/2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKcb5gquKs8
 
Chris said:
I thought you'd never ask!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1wvE1SFzi8
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Yes, this is how normal play is! You nailed it. Sometimes my boys getting a little more aggressive than this, but a stern "Hey, cut it out, fool dogs! " normally gets them back into manageable play mode.

So back to the original question...is it normal for them to play rough! You bet! You do have to refereee from time to time. Sometimes Indy has had enough and Bacca won't give up. And yes, I've seen fur stuck in teeth that I've had to pull out. I particularly love coming out the dryed saliva on their ruffs! :rolleyes2:
 
granite said:
If they're playing you'll see play signs within the rough housing (playbows, etc) and the barks are more yippy. If they are jockeying for rank, you'll see them struggling to "be on top" until one gives and the barking/growling is a lot more "singing" in quality with a lot of groaning/mouthing/yawning type sounds. If its a fight there is just TONS of aggression in the bark/growl, the ears are flat, teeth constantly bared, etc.

Here's a video of Figaro and Newton playing...circa 12/2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKcb5gquKs8
Click to expand...

oh my word
this is soooooo funny and cute, Newton is soooo silly and tiny
NO wonder poor little Newton sayd Figaro is the big bruiser LOL
 
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