Are you familiar with the "puppy license" phenomenon, Duane? I've seen dogs extend it to a variety of baby animals. Very much a "yeah, you're annoying but you're a baby and don't know any better"
My late Missy was amazing like this. She'd take anything from a baby (human, lamb, cat) and was amazingly tolerant with them but insisted on better and better behavior the older they got.
I've also seen cats go into a "if I ignore you, you don't exist" mode. The classic was when my mom had 3 grandkids for the day. The house cat isn't fond of little people at all but stayed on the living room couch near the center of the action for 4 hours ignoring them.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
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I absolutely believe that animals that exist in a family unit can appreciate younger and smaller members, and be more tolerant of them. Maybe even more loving to them. That's not what I saw in the video. I thought it was contrived. JMO.
I really try hard to have interspecies harmony on the farm.
My dogs have all had the forced "stay" and the baby chick.
1 to 3 wk old calves will face up and chase dogs, chase them right out of a pasture. Dogs learn to give ground to tiny babies on the farm ---- If they can't learn this, they need to go live someplace else. They can't be farm dogs.
My English Shep has trouble with this. He just stays away, completely, from the very young.
I expect my dogs to ignore rabbits, squirrels, deer, whatever.
Maybe ignore is to strong of a word but they know better to give anything but a glance.
As to allowing unruly puppies to maul them, I've had one two dogs that wouldn't tolerate puppies.
I think that is normal for any clear headed dog to put up with puppies.
My GSD x Dane my daughter's grew up with would actually toss his cookies when a puppy would maul his muzzle. I've seen bitches do this but never an intact male.
Mara: I had a dog who was like that also, until the pup turned about 6 months old and then he began to not share his bone with the puppy or toys, and not put up with the puppy mauling him. But he was still incredible gentle. Max would just get up and move away from the puppy, or put a paw over the puppy to hold it in place but never did anything harmful or aggressive. Of course, I was there to make sure the puppy didn't push it too far. I don't believe in letting baby anything torment older animals, or animals in general. My Max was so gentle that his friend our parrot (conure) would give Max treats from his claw. Max would gently put his mouth over the birds leg, gently slide his mouth over the leg and foot and the parrot would release the treat into Max's mouth. Max was a great dog! Still miss him. sharon KPA CTP
Cathy Goessman Webboard User Reg: 12-03-2007
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To some extent I think it depends on the puppy too. Maverick can leap on and tackle Tanner without bothering him even at 5 months old and 25 lbs but tiny 12 week old 7 lbs Rogue is not tolerated at all. Rogue likes to grab ears and lacks bite inhibition. Maverick mostly just bounces and has much better bite inhibition. Maverick is also much more responsive to a body language signal to back off.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
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Quote: Cathy Goessman
Maverick is also much more responsive to a body language signal to back off.
I think that this is a key part of the interaction, and part of what caught my eye in the video. When the "inferior" (younger, smaller, lower on the food chain, whatever) animal recognizes the dog's calming signals and advances no farther, stress is relieved for the dog, making the interaction less uncomfortable. Animals that do spend significant time together recognize, and to some extent, heed the signals given by the other unit members. There is less harmony in relationships with no non-verbal communication..
Maverick is likely a whole lot smarter and aware in every way than is your PB pup, Rogue. He likely reads signals, and Tanner is more tolerant because of it.
Maverick is likely a whole lot smarter and aware in every way than is your PB pup, Rogue. He likely reads signals, and Tanner is more tolerant because of it.
Yup. This! Herding dogs are bred to have a high awareness of body language.
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