JUST DOGS SAYING HELLO

If I’m doing my laps in Winslow Park, or hiking in the woods in Vermont, or just leash-walking with Beagle Man in the neighborhood, and I come upon another dog, there are any number of ways that encounter might play out.  Let me try to shed a little light on the subject of what goes on when dog meets dog . . .

NOSE-TO-NOSE

Why We Do It:  Kinda seems like a civilized way to say hi.  Isn’t that how you all — humans, I mean — do it?  Face to face?

What the Experts Say:  According to the website Wag, “There is no handshake required or formal introduction, just a touch of a wet nose and dogs are reading all sorts of information into the greeting. Where have you been, who else did you meet, are you friendly or should I fear you, are all the questions that can be answered with the touch of a nose.”

How Our Owners React:  They generally seem pleased that we’re getting along.  And even more than that, relieved — that no gross or aggressive behavior is going on.  (Read on and you’ll see what I mean.)

NOSE-TO-BUTT

Why We Do It:  To be honest, this feels a lot more natural to me than touching noses.

What the Experts Say: “Smelling each other’s butts is considered an important ritual that dogs perform while greeting a fellow dog—as pheromones are released through specialised glands at their butts and near the ears. While dogs unfamiliar with each other might not sniff each other’s ears (it might seem threatening), sniffing butts is a non-aggressive way for them to get acquainted with each other.” (from the blog Huft)

How Our Owners React:  Remember when I said, above, that owners are relieved when no gross behavior is involved?  Well, this is one of the “gross behaviors” I was talking about.

BARK-AND-LUNGE (PARTICULARLY WHEN LEASH-WALKING)

Why We Do It:  Sometimes a dog just looks at you funny.  And who likes being stared at?

What the Experts Say:  “Your dog could play beautifully with other dogs in the park, but frantically bark, lunge, and spin when on the leash.  They could be a ‘frustrated greeter’ — a dog that’s really excited to say hello and gets over-aroused. In this case, the barrier that the leash creates becomes too much for them and frustrates them . . . Fear is a common motivator in lunging as well. It might seem counter-intuitive for your dog to go towards something they’re afraid of, but they’re trying to protect themselves . . . Lunging can also be caused by aggression.” (American Kennel Club)

How Our Owners React: My guy — Beagle Man — will say, “Sorry.”  The other dog’s owner will also say, “Sorry.”  Neither of them really knows which dog started the brouhaha.  They both just want to escape from the unpleasantness as soon as possible.

HUMPATHON

Why We Do It:  Why not?  We’re dogs.

What the Experts Say:  “Almost all humping can be traced back to 3 main reasons. 1. Pure excitement. Ever watched a group of (human) friends get a little carried away and ‘enthusiastic’ in a pub. They’ll hug, high-five and wrestle when that social buzz (and sure, alcohol) causes their energy to overflow. Well, a group of dogs (and especially puppies) are the same. That extreme excited state all too easily overflows into hairy hugging, wrestling and humping . . . 2.  Anxiety. At those times when their world seems like it’s all too stressful, doggos go to certain behaviours as a way of distracting and soothing themselves. Some dig, some chew, some lick. And you guessed it, some resort to humping . . . 3. Attention seeking. When, as a puppy you discover a behaviour that’s impossible to ignore, you stick to it. And because the hump always gets a surprised squeal, it’s a guaranteed attention grabber. Which is why, in social situations (and often the most embarrassing moments), the hump is their ticket to the focus being back on them.  (Dr. Chris Brown, Drool blog)

How Our Owners React:  They always seem to be just a little embarrassed.  Which they try to cover up by making dumb jokes.

THE ROLL-OVER

Why We Do It:  When another dog does this in my presence, I just think of it as, “Come and get me!”  So that’s what I do.

What the Experts Say:  “This particular behavior that you may have witnessed is a non-threatening form of behavior. It is your dog’s way of saying I am not a threat to you. Many interpret it as submission but often dogs are not submitting to a superior, but rather letting the other dog know they are not there to harm them.” (Found by the Hound blog)

How Our Owners React:  Dumb jokes.  (See above)

Beagle Man always has a lot to say, so I’ll just pipe up in The Duck Dog Speaks whenever I can.