Standing over other animals?

[BerkleysMom]

Berkley has this "thing" about standing over other animals and us when we are laying in the floor. She is not being aggressive at all and I am taking this as she is trying to be top dog but I am wondering if I should start correcting this now? She just turned 7 months old and it's something she has always done. For example: My grandmother lives next door and we live in the country so we have several barn cats outside and my grandmothers male rat terrier (who is top dog) and a female dachshund who she is around all the time when we go outside (we also have a cat in the house but our cat will not allow this to happen even though Berk tries sometimes). She goes out on a leash due to her not coming when I call her (we are working on this but for her safety with our horse I can't allow her to free run yet) so I allow her to go and see everyone and smell and then we go potty or walk or whatever.

When she is around the rat terrier she leaves him alone (he growls to warn her not to mess with him unless he wants her to), the female dachshund will come over, roll on her back, and let Berkley stand over her. All they do is lick each other and when it comes to the cats she will stand over them and lick/smell but not try to harm them... she just wants to stand over them. The most she does is paws at them to stay there when they don't want to or accidentally step on their feet. When we lay in the floor she tries the same thing (but I don't allow her to do this with us anymore and will gently move her off but she still tries). It doesn't bother me but I can't find anything on whether or not I should stop this behavior. She was weighed last week at the vet and is 42 lbs. so she is not small anymore. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Funny you should ask this question.....I asked the same one to my sis-in-law who is a trainer (Lily was doing this to our newest foster). She forwarded me this info from her training manual:

>Canine rivalry - dogs fighting - dog article on ****************
What is Canine Rivalry?

Canine rivalry refers to repeated conflicts between dogs living in the same household. Animals that live in social groups establish a social structure within that group. This social structure is hierarchical and dogs determine their place in the hierarchy through control of and access to various resources, such as food, toys and attention from people. A stable hierarchy in which each individual knows and accepts his rank provides dogs with a sense of comfort and belonging. Conflicts arise between household dogs when there is instability in the social structure; that is, when the ranking of each dog is not clear or is in contention. Dogs may warn each other initially by snarling, growling or snapping, but not causing injury. However, the conflict may sometimes intensify into prolonged bouts of dangerous fighting, which may result in one or both dogs being becoming injured.

Getting Professional Help
Ongoing canine rivalry is potentially dangerous. Dogs or human family members could be severely injured as a result of fighting. Because resolving rivalry problems requires managing the dogs’ somewhat complex social behaviors, it’s often necessary for owners to obtain assistance from a professional animal behaviorist. Certified animal behaviorists are trained to observe, interpret and modify animal behavior.

Why Conflict Occurs
Conflicts between household dogs develop for a wide variety of reasons. Conflicts may occur if:
• A new animal has been introduced to the household.
• A resident animal has died or no longer lives in the house.
• A resident animal is re-introduced after an absence.
• A young dog reaches social maturity, which is usually between 10 months and 2 years of age, and challenges the established higher-ranking dog.
• A high-ranking dog ages or becomes ill and cannot maintain his higher status.
Understanding Status Seeking Behavior and Social Structure
The dogs’ positions in the hierarchy are determined by the outcome of their interactions. The results of this complex and dynamic process will depend on the dogs themselves, without regard to your preferences. Any attempt on your part to interfere may result in increased conflict.

******* HERE IS THE COMMENT ON STANDING OVER:

How dominance is established:
Dogs usually determine their social ranking through a series of behaviors, which include body postures and vocalizations that don’t result in injury. Examples of these behaviors are one dog “standing over” another by placing his paws or neck on the shoulders of the other, mounting, lip licking or rolling over onto the back. Some dogs may take toys away from other dogs, insist on being petted first or exercise control over other resources. However, because of past experiences, inadequate socialization or genetic tendencies, some dogs may escalate these displays into aggression with very little warning.

The Social Structure:
Do not attempt to influence or define the dogs’ rankings by treating them equally or by preventing a higher-ranking dog from asserting his position over another dog. The social hierarchy of the dogs is dynamic and complex, so even attempts to “support the dominant dog” may be counter productive. The dogs should be allowed to determine control of resources, such as toys and favorite sleeping places, amongst themselves. As much as possible, refrain from interfering in the dogs’ interactions with each other. But most importantly, establish yourself at the top of the hierarchy. Practicing “Nothing in Life is Free” is an easy and non-confrontational way to establish leadership by taking ultimate control of all resources the dogs find valuable. If your position as leader is clear, it will help the dogs sort out their lower places in the social structure more peacefully.
Breaking up a fight:
If you need to break up a fight, do so by squirting the dogs with water or making a loud noise to try and interrupt them. Never attempt to break up a dog fight by grabbing the dogs by their collars or getting any part of yourself in between them. Touching dogs while they are fighting can result in what is called “redirected aggression,” where a dog may bite you because he thinks you are part of the conflict. If you’ve had a dog fight, contact your veterinarian for a referral to a professional animal behaviorist.

What You Can Do To Help
• If the dogs involved are intact males or females, spay or neuter both dogs.
• Make sure that all of the humans in your household are at the top of the hierarchy by practicing “Nothing in Life is Free.”

 

[darwinsmom]

Olive (2 years old, who has been with us for 1 year) does this on occasion but not as described in the article. She doesn't touch or make displays she just sort of hovers over us if we are lying down. She does it more frequently to Darwin (8 years). We haven't had any issues with toys or food at all. Sometimes it seems she just wants to be in his space - for example close to us or catching the breeze from the open window. It annoys me when she does it so I have tried to correct her. Darwin doesn't seem to mind that much except for when she accidentally steps on him - that happened last night and for the first time elicited a growl from Darwin and she backed off.

 

[srennie]

Our last boxer used to do the 'standing over' thing with my boys because they were babies/toddlers during his adolesence. I would always correct him for this because it is a sort of dominance/claiming type behavior. So, I wouldn't correct her for doing it with dogs...the dogs will work that out themselves....but I wouldn't allow her to ever do it with humans.

 

[samsons]

we are also dealing with this at my house -

sam is a 2 1/2 YO rescue ( BYB stud dog ) fixed now, and in training for service work. we have had him since early dec. , but we are having HUGE humping and " standing over " problems ( all dominance i know , but still not acceptable ) he has pretty much stopped doing it with us ( NILF at my house ) unless someone ( teens ) get him going and are rolling around on the floor. ( which could just be play , just standing over )

BUT i see it way to much in our play group and our new service dog ( 2 MO puppy ) he does respond well to commands - but i get tired of yelling " leave it " and " off " when we have play dates and are trying to relax -

should we be doing something dif ( or like other poster - let the dogs work it out ~ which i dont think is ok ( for this ) i want him to learn u dont go around humping everything !! )

he will never pass his SW test if he trys to show dominance and is humping every dog we work with !!!!!

any advice on that part of this post would be great ! ( was planning on starting one ~ but this one had covered so much already - not trying to hi-jack the OP thread !! )

thanks

 

[ehayes21]

All they do is lick each other and when it comes to the cats she will stand over them and lick/smell but not try to harm them... she just wants to stand over them. The most she does is paws at them to stay there when they don't want to or accidentally step on their feet. When we lay in the floor she tries the same thing (but I don't allow her to do this with us anymore and will gently move her off but she still tries). It doesn't bother me but I can't find anything on whether or not I should stop this behavior. She was weighed last week at the vet and is 42 lbs. so she is not small anymore. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oh the whole dominance theory...There have been more holes punched into this theory than swiss cheese by many modern behaviorists.
Anywho...
Posturing over another animal doesn't automatically mean your dog is trying to establish "dominance". Was there a resource involved? If not, then the whole dominance suggestion flies out the window. Dominance is never measured by what the dog is doing in any specific moment. Dominance is measured on an outcome that is repeated over time, in regards to a resource. If there is no contest, or resource, then dominance does not exist. The posturing you're describing is often a misunderstood gesture and is sometimes used by a low-confidence dog to try to demonstrate his allegiance with a higher-confidence animal (I happen to know this first hand with my own dog). At 7 months she may be entering her second fear imprint period and you want to make this time as positive as ever. Don't scold her, just give her something else to do by redirection when this happens and build her confidence by upping your training.

samsons mom, humping is usually a sign of a lack of learning certain social skills and a sign of stress in coping with a stimulating situation - My girl does this at 4 years old, when she gets overwhelmed she will just start humping Rowdy, getting her involved in another activity greatly helps.

 

[samsons]

Oh the whole dominance theory...There have been more holes punched into this theory than swiss cheese by many modern behaviorists.
Anywho...
Posturing over another animal doesn't automatically mean your dog is trying to establish "dominance". Was there a resource involved? If not, then the whole dominance suggestion flies out the window. Dominance is never measured by what the dog is doing in any specific moment. Dominance is measured on an outcome that is repeated over time, in regards to a resource. If there is no contest, or resource, then dominance does not exist. The posturing you're describing is often a misunderstood gesture and is sometimes used by a low-confidence dog to try to demonstrate his allegiance with a higher-confidence animal (I happen to know this first hand with my own dog). At 7 months she may be entering her second fear imprint period and you want to make this time as positive as ever. Don't scold her, just give her something else to do by redirection when this happens and build her confidence by upping your training.

samsons mom, humping is usually a sign of a lack of learning certain social skills and a sign of stress in coping with a stimulating situation - My girl does this at 4 years old, when she gets overwhelmed she will just start humping Rowdy, getting her involved in another activity greatly helps.

wow - thanks ~


i never bought ( really) into the dom theory , but never had anyone explain it to me better ..

during our play groups ... sam is always low man down .. ( his yard ) and the most hyper ( lots of barking ).. and he was NEVER been socialized till I got him .. so EVERYTHING IS NEW ... so when some of the parents said he was being " dominate " i wondered .. maybe , maybe not . BUT i didnt know.. he is easy going .. never resource guarding ( will give u anything ) or snapping .. just all play . NOT trying to excuse , just want to understand it , to help him become more confidant !

 

[jmonique]

My boxer does this exact thing. No dominance being proved... I get the idea that when she does this she just wants some sort of human (or kitty) contact. Even if I'm sitting on the couch she'll stand over my feet and just stare off into space. After a few seconds she'll lean her body on my legs. I just make her sit and give her the needed attention and she goes on her way.