so i have an 11mo aussy. i know its not the best idea, but she and "daddy" play rough. really rough. like he'll smack her around and toss her in the air. she loves it tho and knows its a game, but she gets soooo loud with her growling. BUT, i attempted to do this with her, i cant make myself smack her around like he does, but i'll push and chase and bop her. but she WILL NOT GROWL AT ME. she just never has. i just thought it was because she doesnt like to play with me that way (i always get the toys instead). but if "daddy" and i are wrestling with each other, she knows that if he holds me down she can chew on my feet and make me squeel (or licks my face until i drown). just wondering why this is a game, but i dont get the same reaction wrestling with her as her daddy does. he has her all day every day, i just see her all night.
2007-06-07 07:11:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like she considers you the pack leader. Every dog goes back to their natural instincts..and need to fall in an "order" so she knows her place in the household. Your husband is more like a litter mate...they can rough-house and hang out together like we do with our siblings.
But just like human siblings, kids recognize when the "grown up" is around. Do you feed her? Take her to potty?
I shared this same dynamic with my live in boyfriend. He worked nights and would play with her that way all day. At night, I did the feeding...the nurturing. She never reacted to me (playfully or not) like she did to him...when we're walking..she is behind me. When he walked her, she moved out in front of him.
2007-06-07 07:19:14 · answer #1 · answered by Bathroom Graffiti 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm in California, and have a Lab/Sharpe. I can wrestle, smack and play rough. My fiance can not, he bites and does not react the same. I think it's a dominance thing, and if the dog is a "Daddy Dog" like mine, they only want to play with Daddy, and sometimes it seems that the dog loves Daddy more. My fiancee says this, and just deals with it. She even says all she is good for to him, is food and water. (Provider) Also, the more time you spend with the dog, the more he or she will open up to you, and allow more "Play" with you. I do not think you will ever reach that same level as "Daddy".
2007-06-07 14:28:31 · answer #2 · answered by pplsag 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dog is the same way. I can play tug-of-war with him all day, but he won't get really agressive until Daddy comes home- then he's growling and foaming at the mouth and trying to kill him, all in good fun of course. Also, our dog licks his Daddy from head to toe, all the time, can't lick him enough, but he very rarely licks me. Weird, huh?
2007-06-07 14:20:18 · answer #3 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is really not a good way to play with a dog. Because you have a submissive breed it hasn't become an issue, but with some dogs this could lead to big aggression issues. Try to find a different game like fetch or doing obstacle courses.
2007-06-07 14:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is 'growling' at the man BECAUSE he's a man, and is 'stronger' than she thinks she is ... to her, the 'growl' makes her look more intimidating. With you, she doesn't growl because you are 'smaller' and more delicate and the 'growl' isn't necessary to 'intimidation' ... and the man 'helps this' when he holds you down and the dog chews on your feet or licks you. It has NOTHING to do with 'how much time' you spend with her, and she obviously loves both of you ... it's just and 'instinctual thing' with dogs.
2007-06-07 14:18:04 · answer #5 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you play a constructive game like tug? Tug can be excellent for high drive dogs as a reward as long as you get to set the rules of the game.
2007-06-07 14:18:27 · answer #6 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our Aussie growls louder when we growl at her. It is quite amusing.
You can play rough so long as you remain in control and your dog stops when you say it's time to stop. I think it's a worse idea to refer to your boyfriend(?) as the dog's "Daddy."
2007-06-07 14:17:19 · answer #7 · answered by Alowishus B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
she does this because she knows he is the aggressor of the two of you, you have to play rough with her in order for her to growl at you. show who is the man.lol or she knows you do not want to hurt her so she does not want to hurt you back. it is all fair game.
2007-06-07 14:50:37 · answer #8 · answered by jessica j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think animals sense the difference between males and females just as humans do. I'm guessing she senses that she has to be more gentle with you, just as most animals are more gentle with children.
2007-06-07 14:18:35 · answer #9 · answered by swimbike21 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My little dog ( mutt) does the same with my spouse,,won't growl/play with my spouse, but does with me..funny, huh?
I am with her more than my spouse, and am primary care giver.
Yet, she certainly LOVES my spouse!
2007-06-07 14:21:56 · answer #10 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋