[mariposa692001]

I have a question....Sabot has done this for quite a while and I just want to know what you all think of it....I have teenage boys...well you all know what that means...horseplay and wrestling......when this happens, Sabot gets all upset barking and trying to get in the middle of it. Sometimes the boys even wrestle around with me and Sabot gets to barking and growling at them..kind of telling them off....what do you think this is? Just the doberman's natural instinct to protect or something else?

 

[LapDog]

My boyfriends golden retriever does the same thing. He doesnt like when the boys wreslte...he will jump in the middle of it and jump on them...if they are play hitting each other he will want to muzzle their arms lightly or if they are playing with a plastic bat he will want to bite the bat. I dont think its aggression...I think it is just him being worried or wanting them to stop.

 

[Drayzen]

Yep. Ramsey does the same. She'll bark and growl anytime there's horseplay. I think it's instinctual and as long as Sabot doesn't snap or bite, I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[Molari]

I think Sabot wants to play. How is he holding his ears and tail when he's doing it?

 

[doberkim]

I don't think that behavior has anything to do with protection whatsoever - I think it's a dog seeing horseplay and either feeling uncomfortable or getting riled up - I cannot say which without observing it.

 

[sorthund]

I've seen many dogs do this, even tiny ones... they will do it when 2 dogs get crazy together too - go between to calm things down somewhat, and nipping at them. It's natural instinct, not agressive I think.

 

[MandysBlackRoses]

I have to agree, I don't think it's really protection, but they get excited and aggitated. Have you ever seen what happens when two dogs fight in a large group of dogs? The others will all jump in and take nips at them and picking on mostly the "looser".

When I'm playing tug o war with my Boston the Doberman puppies will think something is wrong with her, and nip at her back while she is diverted and biting the rope. I think It's something about the "weakest dog". I think It's one of the darker sides in canine behavior.

 

[Murreydobe]

I don't think that behavior has anything to do with protection whatsoever - I think it's a dog seeing horseplay and either feeling uncomfortable or getting riled up - I cannot say which without observing it.

I agree with this 100%..especially the part where Kim says without seeing it, no one can say for sure.

The dog could also be trying to play-one of mine is *very* verbal when he plays-you'd think he was ripping the other dogs from limb to limb.

No way to tell without seeing the situation.

 

[mariposa692001]

Kim and Cheryl, I think you guys are right now that I think it over....If it happens again I am going to watch his body language and come back to this and post...but for now, I think you guys are right.

 

[doberkim]

If someone wrestles with Rah around, they better be prepared - he joins in! It's all fun for him - and he has no problem getting physical

AND - like Cheryl said - I think Rush and Rah both have mouths on them! Rah can make it sound like he is ripping another dog to shreds but it is all play!

 

[Acooper]

Orson acts similar to this when there is horse play about..........he gets over excited and wants to be where the action is, which usually ends the action because he isn't a tiny little thing anymore

 

[natdobe]

Skyler will do the same thing if my husband and I are play wrestling. If I try to pop him with a dish towel she will come over and make grumbling noises and grab the towel and take it into the other room. It's pretty funny.