Dog Community

Was she protecting him?

Posted : 6/14/2006 8:29:39 AM

Yesterday afternoon we were at our local dog park. Joey was playing with the other pups and had the time of his life!
There was a “new girl”, a gorgeous weim named Sasha at the park. I#%92ve never seen her there before. She was really sweet, just running around playing and greeting everybody.
About 45 minutes into the trip Max (GSD) and his buddy Dingo (Border Collie) came into the park. Joey is DEADLY afraid of Max.
Why I don#%92t know, he is a really sweet boy but when Joey runs from him he chases after him. Then Joey will lay down (flat on his belly, like a little
bunny rabbit) and won#%92t move. If I see their car pull up I get Joey on a leash and just leave.
Anyway, yesterday I didn#%92t see them pull up and by the time they were through the gate it was too late and Joey already ran from Max (I#%92m a
bad doggy mom [

]) Joey laid down and just as I am about to get him to leave Sasha runs over there (sooo fast) and lays down flat on Joey, both of her paws
on either side of Joey and her head on his. She just stared at Max until he turned around and left.

Was she protecting him???? I#%92ve never seen such a behavior?!?!? She didn#%92t growl at the GSD but just laid there and stared him down.
It was kind of cute actually (to see an 80 pound dog lay on itty bitty 25 pound Joey!)Does anybody know what exactly she was doing?

Sokoto Dirk

Posted : 6/14/2006 8:37:14 AM

I'm pretty sure she was defending Joey... I can only imagine what they were saying to each other in doggy speech, between Sasha and Max, and what your dog must have been thinking.

In any case, it sounds really sweet to me. ^^

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/14/2006 9:35:39 AM

Wow they are so amazing arent they! I really wish I could have been there to witness it. I dont know what else she would have been doing, quite amazing indeed. Thanks for sharing that!

Brian Berry

Posted : 6/14/2006 9:46:50 AM

It sounds like she was protecting him. I've never seen that kind of guarding before. Soundslike Joey has a great new friend [

]

jshakers

Posted : 6/14/2006 11:02:55 AM

Indeed she was protecting him!! What a great dog!

Our rott is always protecting our little husky/lab mix... he doesn't let anyone mess with her. Not even his own dog siblings!

olinda

Posted : 6/14/2006 11:28:49 AM

What a sweet story, sure she was protecting him!!! I would have cried if I had seen that, they are such beautiful creatures. I am bad, I even cry when I watch Bambi.[

]

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 6/14/2006 11:45:32 AM

I would have loved to have seen that. Sweet Joey has a protector!! The next time you see Sasha, give her some extra special skritches for protecting your baby.

labcrab

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:07:12 PM

Oh Nadine! That's so sweet! What a good friend Sasha is to Joey. Did Joey seem okay with it? I mean, he didn't try to get out from under her or anything?

labcrab

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:08:42 PM

Also, it sounds like she was protecting him - either that or she was claiming him as her own.

Nadine Treadway

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:15:35 PM

Nope, he stayed right underneath her all tucked in [

]!
It was VERY cute! For some reason I never have the camera with me when I need it most!
He LOVES big dogs in general though. There is a great dane in the park every now and then and I swear Joey seems to think he's a GOD! He follows him around everywhere, non-stop. And it's funny to watch because he actually has to stand up on his back legs to sniff Samsons (the dane) butt [

]!
Why he's so afraid of Max the GSD I don't know?!?! There are a few other GSD at the park that he absolutely adores!!!

whatsh0uldmyl0ginbe?

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:22:00 PM

He LOVES big dogs in general though. There is a great dane in the park every now and then and I swear Joey seems to think he's a GOD! He follows him around everywhere, non-stop. And it's funny to watch because he actually has to stand up on his back legs to sniff Samsons (the dane) butt []!

lol how cute^^

labcrab

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:30:25 PM

Why he's so afraid of Max the GSD I don't know?!?! There are a few other GSD at the park that he absolutely adores!!!

huh... Maybe Joey's right. I mean, maybe Max really is sending Joey some threatening signals - which Sasha picked up on as well. Not that Max isn't a wonderful, sweet dog - but maybe he's giving Joey the "doggie finger" behind your back!

Benedict

Posted : 6/14/2006 5:01:31 PM

ORIGINAL: labcrab
Not that Max isn't a wonderful, sweet dog - but maybe he's giving Joey the "doggie finger" behind your back!

[sm=rofl.gif]

Seriously, that may just be the cutest thing I have heard all day! Good girl Sasha!

Kate

Luvntzus

Posted : 6/14/2006 5:59:32 PM

ORIGINAL: nadinetreadway

Why he's so afraid of Max the GSD I don't know?!?! There are a few other GSD at the park that he absolutely adores!!!

If he likes other big dogs, including other GSDs, but is afraid of Max, there's a reason. And especially since Sasha knew something was up and came over to protect him (how sweet!). I don't think Max isn't a "bad" dog, but it sounds like he has a high prey drive. I think when Joey runs it activates that and he chases him like a cat or squirrel. I would definitely be very, very careful with that situation and definitely put the leash on and take Joey home when Max is there.

Sera_J

Posted : 6/15/2006 3:00:05 AM

Awww! What a sweet story! What a good girl [

] I think you should approve of Joey's "Girlfriend" [

] I think she was definitely helpin' her boy out.

I just love dogs [sm=proud.gif]