bessie7 Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I adopted Bessie last November. She has settled in really well and is very loving and gentle. Wonderful with children, nothing seems to faze her. Even over Christmas, when we had a lot of resident visitors she behaved perfectly. Her recall is good (most of the time) and she is good on and off the lead. I have a feeling that perhaps she did not play with many dogs in her past life. To start with she seemed unsure how to greet and play. That is all now resolved just leaving one problem. She loves to chase if a dog is willing and as she runs she growls all the time although her tail is wagging and she has never been aggresive. Several other dog owners have thought she was being aggresive and I have to keep explaining that she means no harm. Maybe one of you has had a similar experience and could give me some help. I don't want to keep her away from other dogs as she loves to say hello and play. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizzie Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 It sounds as if you and Bessie are doing really well. Some dogs do make growly type noises in play - mine certainly do. Other dogs can distinguish between this and aggressive growling just as they can normally read each others body language when sometimes we humans fail. Personally I don't see that Bessie has a problem at all - it is just other dog owners failure to understand. Some dogs "smile" when they greet you and this too can easily be misunderstood. I would certainly not discourage her from playing with other dogs but perhaps try to explain to other dog owners before the game starts that Bessie's style of play is quite vocal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Grose Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) I totally agree and the fact that other strange behaviours have disappeared may suggest that if you let her walk and play with other dogs often enough, this over noisy behaviour may disappate as well. I have had rescue dogs do this, it is a bit of nervousness in how to interact properly and as they grow in confidence with playing with other dogs - it does get better. I would walk her as much as possible with other dogs so she can learn to play and keep on "apologising" to owners who don't understad. Anne Edited February 17, 2011 by Anne Grose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fee Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Some dogs are naturally more vocal when they are playing than others -Meg (small hairy crossbreed) has a whole vocal repertoire of barks, yips and 'growls' which can sound very alarming, but she hasn't got an ounce of aggression in her. Other dogs seem to recognise that she's completely non-threatening, but owners sometimes get worried. My lurchers often sound as though they are killing one another when they play, though oddly they are much quieter with strange dogs, I guess because they are a bit less relaxed. Bessie sounds fine, and as Anne says this will probably settle down anyway as she gets more used to socialising with other dogs. What sort of dog is Bessie? I hope we're going to hear a bit more about her and see a picture at some point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyboy Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) Like Fee's dogs my medium sized pair sound as if they are killing each other = not helped by the fact it is accompanied by sumo wrestling, so all people see to all intents and purposes is 2 bull breeds fighting to the death! Are the other dogs worried or is it just the owners? If the dogs are happy then point that out to the humans and explain (tactfully) that a dog can read another dog's body language and signs a lot better than people can. I have just taken in a lifetime foster dog who had been extremely abused and is terrified of other dogs, but with mine he does not blink an eyelid while all that is going on, so he knows it is just play Edited February 17, 2011 by buddyboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_angel Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 (edited) Louie has a play growl he will run around with other dogs doing it or when he's having his mad 5 minutes rushing around the house on his own . He also does it during games with his tuggy. Ive had looks of surprise from other walkers to which I explain its a play growl and to blame the terrier in him. His growl is non aggressive and just trying to initiate play. Edited February 18, 2011 by lil_angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_angel Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Some dogs are naturally more vocal when they are playing than others - What sort of dog is Bessie? I hope we're going to hear a bit more about her and see a picture at some point Fee its our Bessie Buttons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fee Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Oh of course it is, how stupid of me Lovely to hear how Bessie is doing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Every pointy thing I've ever had has been a noisy growler when playing chase with dogs he knows recognise the "game" Nog sounds like the hound of the baskervilles when he's chasing a doggy friend lots of snarly noises and gaping jaws - with strange dogs or dogs he's not sure of the chase still happens but it's silent. TBH I'm more wary when it is a silent chase his whole body language is different much less relaxed and more wary. When he wrestles and plays with MIL's spanielxcollie bitch you'd think they were trying to murder each other both growling and snarling, locking jaws and grabbing feet and legs etc. mouths wide open and teeth on full display and occasionally clashing - the rougher it seems to us watching the more they seem to be enjoying it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizzie Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 I was looking at a very old book "Know Your Dog" by Bruce Fogle last night which has brilliant pictures showing dog's posture & body language & what it all means (a charity shop bargain for £1. The book describes play growls as "more theatrical" which seems very accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bessie7 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2011 Thank you all for your very helpful replies. I now feel more confident with Bessie's behaviour after hearing from you all that this is not unusual. I have had several dogs during my life none of which have exhibited this behaviour, which is why I asked for advice. On our "short" walk in the local park we meet a lot of dogs who play in a group, so I shall now let her join in without worrying. Regarding her breed, I said before she is just "Unique". Maybe some Lab, but she hates water and is not greedy at all. I think she just has the best traits of all the breeds that have contributed to her DNA. She is a wonderful girl and we love her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyMalc Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Agree with all of the above! You should hear and see my 2 collie crosses play: the times that I've heard people go "Ohh they're fighting!" Errr, no they're not, but especially Kiera is one noisy madam! I hope you'll have many more years of watching a happy Bessie play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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