She used to do this to Jen relatively often when she was a pup, but now that she is older she rarely does it.
We are not sure if she is humping her, or trying to take her down, or just wanting to rub on her... it's really very silly when it happens tho.
This particular time, last night, she had done it a few times and even snuck up and bit Jen in the rear! LOL... So I think it's just Ahi being a trouble maker, she is very good at that.
That's funny Rui, I had the same thought when I uploaded it. I'm sure there will be numerous comments like that... Tho maybe not, I've noticed my YouTube traffic has slowed down a lot... not sure why.
- Leonberger and Brada - I was under the impression that jumping like that was the dog trying to dominate lol, so what does it really mean? i always tell people that the dog is trying to dominate them so i dont want to be misinformed any longer
The term "dominate" is so vague, that it's bound to be used the wrong way (if there is a right way).
It might be true that when dogs do that to each other, they might be trying to establish some sort of hierarchy, a rank between them.They do that all the time, through play, be it tug of war, "fighting" and all that. They learn eachother's limits and what the other dog will put up with. But that doesn't necessarily mean domination, does it? I mean, we have ranks and hierarchies daily in our lives, have you ever felt dominated by anyone ranking higher than you?
By what I "know" of Ahi (through Brad's videos), I'd say she's being a loving girl on her own way. Ahi's got her special ways for almost anything, lol.
I love that "discussion" on the vids page. I think it can be a test of boundaries, but more so with guys than girls. Male dogs seem to just keep trying until the other just takes it or they get broken up.
My mom's chihuahua humps the shih tzu all the time, especially when she gets bored. He just lays there, not quite understanding what she is doing. I think it sort of is a love thing (kind of like how we associate sex with love), as these two get along very well, play together a lot, and just likes being with each other when they aren't getting human attention.
Doesn't Jen feed them? I know my dogs are most in love with whoever holds the food bowl. It makes me a little sad how quickly their loyalties can shift when food is involved.
For the record, I was being a smart ass in my post on YouTube... I have a lot of interesting discussions on YouTube with that user. She is always asking me if I think dog A is dominating dog B, so how I see things changing in the "pack order" when we introduce a new pup. So she knows my stance on the subject.
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I think the notion of Ahi doing that to "dominate" Jen is silly. It implies premeditation.
It implies that Ahi was standing there calculating how she could use this moment to mover herself higher than Jen is in the "pack order", and so she made her move by mounting (or dancing/hugging) her. This was Ahi's big opportunity, after studying her opponite, and planning her "pack take-over" to move in and "dominate" Jen. And so she chose this silly move. LOL
I think dogs are pretty amazing and smart, but sorry, I don't think their smart enough to constantly be premeditating actions they can take for world/pack domination. LOL
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William - I second what Rui wrote. I also agree that this may be (or at one time was) a boundary test... now it's just a learned behavior. She knows that when she approaches Jen in that way, Jen will push her down and pet her, and sometimes we laugh. Laughing is a reinforce for dogs too.
Ahi doesn't do this to anyone else. She does jump on people, and if they allow it she will always jump on them, but if they don't allow it she will sit politely in front of you. That's another example of pushing boundaries... She is kinda feeling a person out to see if they will let her jump - and when she does that more often than not the person will pet her, so she get reinforced for it.
IMHO, it has nothing to do with "dominating", or controlling. I honestly don't see mounting as a "dominate" behavior in dog, even if you are looking at it from the old-school alpha/omega pecking order way. I think it's just a rude behavior... and very often a sign of immaturity.
A dog jumping up on a human is rude, a dog mounting a human is rude too. So, William, instead of telling the person who is being jumped/mounted that the dog is trying to dominate them... Maybe tell them that the dog is being rude to them? I think that will yield the same result - they will (hopefully) not reinforce the behavior anymore.
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Beth - All the dogs like Jen more than me. As Lindsay pointed out, she feeds them and spends more time with them. I am working at my PC most of the day, while Jen is out there with the dogs. It kinda sux, but it's just the way it goes.
Even Kaia has started to favor Jen over me a bit, and Kaia is my soul mate. (
Shoushuu and Lynxiene do the same thing! It was more commonly seen as pups. However, although rare, they still exhibit this behavior. Kotomi is the only one I have yet to see it from.
Kotomi is also the dog with the BEST pack drive. She also has good manners. Shoushuu and Lynxiene have horrible manners. So I agree, this "mounting" may very well be an example of rude behavior.
I like your explanation, Brad. Rudeness/immaturity/learned behavior vs. beating a dead horse dominate terminology.
I guess Jen is lucky that your CO's aren't so rude!!
Lindsay, you have a point with the food thing, too. Kitsune is much more, um, friendly, towards me when he's excited vs. my husband. I am the sole food provider for them.
Comments
Does she do this often?
We are not sure if she is humping her, or trying to take her down, or just wanting to rub on her... it's really very silly when it happens tho.
This particular time, last night, she had done it a few times and even snuck up and bit Jen in the rear! LOL... So I think it's just Ahi being a trouble maker, she is very good at that.
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How many comments will you get on YouTube saying that Ahi is trying to dominate Jen? Shall we start a betting pool?
Great video! Kitsu has done this to me, or his try to rub on me like a cat, usually after he's riled up from play.
I think it hurt her feelings when you guys laughed at her.
Also, read the comments on the video's page.
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And watching Blue and Masha play is GREAT!!! TOO CUTE! I love the tugging on the tail!
Are those cans of sweet potatoes?
It might be true that when dogs do that to each other, they might be trying to establish some sort of hierarchy, a rank between them.They do that all the time, through play, be it tug of war, "fighting" and all that. They learn eachother's limits and what the other dog will put up with. But that doesn't necessarily mean domination, does it? I mean, we have ranks and hierarchies daily in our lives, have you ever felt dominated by anyone ranking higher than you?
By what I "know" of Ahi (through Brad's videos), I'd say she's being a loving girl on her own way. Ahi's got her special ways for almost anything, lol.
My mom's chihuahua humps the shih tzu all the time, especially when she gets bored. He just lays there, not quite understanding what she is doing. I think it sort of is a love thing (kind of like how we associate sex with love), as these two get along very well, play together a lot, and just likes being with each other when they aren't getting human attention.
Brad, who d you feel Ahi likes more, you or Jen?
I know my dogs are most in love with whoever holds the food bowl. It makes me a little sad how quickly their loyalties can shift when food is involved.
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I think the notion of Ahi doing that to "dominate" Jen is silly. It implies premeditation.
It implies that Ahi was standing there calculating how she could use this moment to mover herself higher than Jen is in the "pack order", and so she made her move by mounting (or dancing/hugging) her. This was Ahi's big opportunity, after studying her opponite, and planning her "pack take-over" to move in and "dominate" Jen. And so she chose this silly move. LOL
I think dogs are pretty amazing and smart, but sorry, I don't think their smart enough to constantly be premeditating actions they can take for world/pack domination. LOL
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William - I second what Rui wrote. I also agree that this may be (or at one time was) a boundary test... now it's just a learned behavior. She knows that when she approaches Jen in that way, Jen will push her down and pet her, and sometimes we laugh. Laughing is a reinforce for dogs too.
Ahi doesn't do this to anyone else. She does jump on people, and if they allow it she will always jump on them, but if they don't allow it she will sit politely in front of you. That's another example of pushing boundaries... She is kinda feeling a person out to see if they will let her jump - and when she does that more often than not the person will pet her, so she get reinforced for it.
IMHO, it has nothing to do with "dominating", or controlling. I honestly don't see mounting as a "dominate" behavior in dog, even if you are looking at it from the old-school alpha/omega pecking order way. I think it's just a rude behavior... and very often a sign of immaturity.
A dog jumping up on a human is rude, a dog mounting a human is rude too. So, William, instead of telling the person who is being jumped/mounted that the dog is trying to dominate them... Maybe tell them that the dog is being rude to them? I think that will yield the same result - they will (hopefully) not reinforce the behavior anymore.
----
Beth - All the dogs like Jen more than me. As Lindsay pointed out, she feeds them and spends more time with them. I am working at my PC most of the day, while Jen is out there with the dogs. It kinda sux, but it's just the way it goes.
Even Kaia has started to favor Jen over me a bit, and Kaia is my soul mate.
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Lindsay - Yes, those are cans of sweet potato.
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Shoushuu and Lynxiene do the same thing! It was more commonly seen as pups. However, although rare, they still exhibit this behavior. Kotomi is the only one I have yet to see it from.
Kotomi is also the dog with the BEST pack drive. She also has good manners. Shoushuu and Lynxiene have horrible manners. So I agree, this "mounting" may very well be an example of rude behavior.
I guess Jen is lucky that your CO's aren't so rude!!
Lindsay, you have a point with the food thing, too. Kitsune is much more, um, friendly, towards me when he's excited vs. my husband. I am the sole food provider for them.