(98) Party! Dog Style

As I watched Beekster and Maxie greet their dog cousins and then interact with them during the weekend stay at my ‘rents, I thought about the different play styles each dog had(parallel,interactive). These dogs have known each other for a long time. Beeks, being now about two years old has known them for two years. As a group, theey have played in dog parks, at our home, at the home of my sister and at my parents home. The group is well established. The dogs, are all of different breeds. Beeks, a cattledog mix, Max a Newfoundland, Jesse James is a Springer Spaniel, and Bullet a large blonde Labradore. They are all male. Bullet is the oldest of the group at about five years old. Bullet is definitely the leader among this group. Max and Jesse James are both about the same age at three years old, and Beeks is the young ‘un at two. Max and Beeks were already enjoying the day at my parents home when Jesse and Bullet arrived to share in the party. Now, to be honest, I do need to state that I understand that dogs, like people all have their particulates. We are individuals with different pre disposed heredity (read-breed specific) and personalities. So when these dogs are together, they do tend to do their own thing.
Here’s how it went yesterday. Beeks (of course) was the player. He roamed around wanting to get everyone to play. (Can’t we all just be friends?) He tried so hard to engage with Jesse James who really had his own agenda (read on). Then Beeks looked to Bullet, who is a typical patriarch. Beeks followed Bullet around like a groupie. Where ever Bullet went, Beeks followed. Bullet in good leadership style ignored Beeks for the most part, but this didn’t matter to Beeks, he just wanted to be with the boss group. Bullet was more interested in siding next to the humans to get any available affection. At this time, Jesse James had begun his favorite behavior when at our parent home. He crawled into the ground cover, sniffing for rodent scents, and into the base of the bushes, which are up against a concrete wall. He loves this. How could I tell? His whole body was engaged in this activity. His boomie was up in the air and his stub of a tail was in high helicopter mode. He must smell something. For Jesse James this is the top of the list for entertainment. Beeks did try to emulate Jesse for about three minutes but the engagement factor was just not there. Jesse didn’t care if steak was being served, his concentration level was on the ground cover and tiny critters. So, what did Beeks finally do? He bothered Maxie. He chewed Max’s tail, he pulled his ear. Just like a typical younger brother, he wanted to play and thought that Max should play too. Slowly Max relented and started to chase Beeks around the 12 X12 canopy we were sitting under. The fact is that Beeks is much faster than Max. Max has a strong body that is not made for speed. Beeks’ body screams speed with his greyhound chest and long legs. Beeks ran just fast enough that Max kept up the game and made the turns, then Max figured out that if he just stayed in one area, Beeks would eventually come around. (smart Maxie, conserving his energy). Then it got really interesting as Beeks and Max, turned back and forth, around and around trying to cath and not get caught. UNTIL… around one turn, Max put on the speed to the point that he almost caught Beeks. Then just like the second turn at the Indi 500, Max hit the wall! He slid into the groundcover and wiped out, with all four legs slipping up into the air and his back to the ground. Jesse James stopped sniffing the ground, Beeks stopped dead in his tracks, and all was quiet, as we looked to realize what had just happened. Max looked stunned but got up and shook it off. The race was over, energy spent and time for a rest. All dogs rested. Under the picnic table they went for a shaded rest.
The point I wanted to make here is that it is possible for dogs to feel comfortable with other dogs, to have different styles of play and engagement, yet able to be in the same place without causing chaos. Yes, these dogs know each other and have been exposed to one another before, but if dogs get the chance to meet and greet new playmates, to be socialized, it is possible to have them with you where ever you go AND enjoy having them around. Undeniably a good time was had by all!