Odd Behavior?

[Tulsa-Dan]

Last evening on one of our walks, another dog (perhaps a boxer mix) and his owner were walking towards us on the sidewalk. The other dog was kind of large and the woman walking it rather small. She was having difficulty holding her dog and was evidently waiting for us to pass. I told Maggie to sit and told the lady it was ok, that my dog would sit until she passed. She then came forward and when the dogs came close, of course, they wanted to sniff and greet each other. Tails were wagging and noses were sniffing, typical doggie greeting stuff.

Then, the oddest thing happened, something I've not seen Maggie do before. She got on her hind legs, put her front legs around the other dog's neck (like she was hugging him) and then the other dog did the same thing to Maggie. There were standing in the middle of the sidewalk "hugging" each other, just looking at each other, tails wagging. It was so odd.

I said "come" and we both went our separate ways. I just thought this was weird since I'd never seen it before. Is this a Boxer thing? Anyone experience this sort of thing before? Just curious.



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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae
Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn, docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://www.d-batt.com/Maggie.html

 

[MarinaS]

I don't know wether it is a boxer thing or not, but my Tina does it all the time when she meets a dog she likes. I thought it was an invitation for a play.

 

[Amy Lyn]

Wagner does this during play with another dog, but I call it the "headlock" as it looks like one is trying to get the best of another.

My friend calls it "dancing" as when the start to move it looks like they're dancing on their back legs together.



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* * * * *
Amy Lyn
Wagner (Fawn, black mask) b: 04/25/00
Clark (Fawn, black mask) b: 03-11-99 (Rainbow Bridge 05-06-00)

 

[Cindy and Lacie.]

Dan, are you feeling better or did Maggie make you feel guilty enough for a walk??

Lacie always hugs other dogs, infact she has tought her friend Pupper to do this and it cracks Puppers owners up.

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Cindy Corl
Lacie female, brindle, natural ears,7-17-99

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cindy and Lacie:
Dan, are you feeling better or did Maggie make you feel guilty enough for a walk??

Lacie always hugs other dogs, infact she has tought her friend Pupper to do this and it cracks Puppers owners up.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

C&L: Thanks for asking. Today I am feeling much better. Not good enough for the park (and it is even colder today than yesterday), but maybe by the weekend when it is supposed to warm up some, we can go to the park again.

It worked out ok, I guess. I tried keeping her busy, but she began acting out a lot yesterday, testing daddy and doing things she knows are BAD, like chewing up magazines and books when I went to the store. Grrrr. So, she got a very stern scolding and a 30 minute time out. After that, she was much more cooperative.

O course today, first trip outside when we get up at 6:00am, she started running for the park as soon as she hit the front gate! I had to drag her the other way. I thought elephants never forgot. Seems Boxers are the same.

Thanks for the insight on Boxer hugging/dancing or whatever it is. It is cute, that's for sure. As long as it isn't aggressive behavior, I'll allow it. I wondered if it wasn't some sort of domination dance. You never know, I guess.

Have a great holiday.



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Dan from Brooklyn
Proud Pappa to Maggie Mae
Born 6/16/00
Flashy Fawn, docked tail, natural ears.
Pictures: http://www.d-batt.com/Maggie.html