Kim_MacMillan
Posted : 12/5/2009 9:44:48 PM
Gaci and Shimmer are like this. They have a love/hate relationship. Once upon a time, when Gaci was young, she was not allowed to make her own decisions as she was inter-bi*ch aggression. But we did a lot of work, and she now chooses other, more acceptable outlets for her frustrations. To date the worst it ever gets is as you describe with your girls - Gaci gets tense, postures, circles, walks right up on her toes, and if she's really anxious she'll whine slightly. Shimmer generally freezes up and looks away, or sniffs, to avert any stress. Rarely Shimmer will punish Gaci's behaviour and Gaci will accept it (will not re-aggress), but I try to keep an eye for signs that either a) Gaci is losing the ability to control her emotions, and b) Shimmer is getting upset by the encounter.
I've always been quite fascinated by their behaviour, because it's followed such an interesting path from aggression to modified frustration. I still actively reward Gaci for choosing non-aggressive behaviours such as shaking it off or walking away, and I will not hesitate to calming perform splitting techniques (walking in between them and redirecting attention on to other tasks, such as known behaviours).
In a pack-theory, one would say they are of similar statuses and are constantly in conflict with each other. Or, in ethological terms, they experience frustration with one another, and are experiencing conflict within themselves between the actions of the other dog and their own desires. If I pick Shimmer up, Gaci does the exact behaviour sequence that you describe, pretty much to a tee. And Gaci and Shimmer's play sessions are often interspersed with posturing and then play.
In terms of what I would do? If it's not escalating, I wouldn't intervene. If it's been going well thus far, and if one dog is not obviously being bullied, then they are obviously capable of figuring it out amongst themselves. I would just keep tabs on it and always be aware of what is going on - who is instigating, how each reacts to the other, etc.
Watch this video of the girls having a "play session".....you can clearly see the conflicting emotions in Gaci, from tense and anxious, to loosening up and beginning to play (taken in September 2008).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ZZpDDHjA0
I love this video especially because it's chalk full of calming signals and strong communication. Gaci comes out, all tense on her toes, circling and stalking. Shimmer averts her gaze, brings her ears back, lowers her tail, licks her lips, and even yawns. She then circles away, walks parallel with Gaci and gently nose pokes her, followed by an almost-hip check (her biggest sign of play with the Schnauzers).
All of these things cause Gaci to shake off (huge calming signal!), and then they immediately engage in play.
Shimmer knows not to engage in active play until Gaci gives a signal that she has gotten over her anxiety. As soon as Gaci relaxes, Shimmer play bows and goes into a bounce and dash. Gaci then play bows in return and they play. At the end, Gaci walks to the bed and licks her behind (a calming behaviour for herself) as a way of keeping herself in check.
I watch that video and everytime pick up on some very interesting nuances of their behaviours.