Interesting change in Eli's behavior...I guess he is mature now...

991 Views 24 Replies 17 Participants Last post by HerMewMew, Sep 27, 2011

Lori Z

Discussion Starter · Sep 26, 2011

I took Eli with us to have dinner with friends. They have two female labs, one is 3 and the other is 12. I thought Eli would have a grand time playing with the 3 yr old. Not so. He wasn't interested in the dogs at all. When we were sitting out on the back porch he would lay next to me and growl at the sweet lab who was walking around with her ball wagging her tail. She fetched, he did not. She threw toys at him, he took them and then growled. He lifted his leg and strutted around the property (1 fenced acre) but had no desire to play at all. I was shocked. When we went in for dinner he kept hitting the door handle after letting himself in once. I ended up putting him in the car because it's not my house and we were having a beautiful formal dinner with dogs outside while we were eating. I was so surprised. I did notice that he didn't play with my sisters 10 month old dutch shepherd when she visited this last summer and he did growl at the pup but I thought it was because he was an intact male. Nope, I guess not.

My goofy puppy is totally gone and I have a no nonsense male doberman now. He will still be goofy with us but only us and if strange dogs are around he is all business. He isn't aggressive but he doesn't want to have anything to do with other dogs. I thought it was weird that he wouldn't even fetch at their house and that is what his world is about. The sweet lab girl was fetching but he wouldn't take a turn. I have never owned a dog who changed so much from puppy to mature male. Eli was neutered at 10 months but he still has doberman attitude. He held himself high when we went to my friends and their dogs did not mob him or anything. They basically ignored him. Whatever Eli...LOL. He didn't want that lab by his mama or dad. He was lying between us. The people he was fine with, not overly fawning but friendly enough. Such a change. Boy was I off the mark, I guess play dates are long past.

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MeadowCat

· #2 · Sep 26, 2011

It is kind of sad when they grow past that "play with everyone" stage. Shanoa only has a few dog friends that she'll play with.

Reactions: 3

Sinister

· #3 · Sep 26, 2011

Oh no

I really hope Juno doesn't grow up too fast!
Maybe your boy will find a friend to play with soon.

Reactions: 1

Abby

· #4 · Sep 26, 2011

Yeah, for a while Vegas hasn't been as playful with other dogs either. When we have a playdate she explores by herself or visits with people, but really doesn't play with the dogs. I do miss naughty wrestling puppy Vegas, but she's such a wonderful adult I think I'll get over it, lol.

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Lori Z

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 26, 2011

He will be 3 in December so I think he puppy play times are over. They do grow fast, sorry to say but it passes quickly. BTW Juno is top on the list of my female dog names, I love it. I plan to get a female dobe next year. Eli is okay not playing with other dogs, he has me. ;O)

Sinister said:
Oh no I really hope Juno doesn't grow up too fast!
Maybe your boy will find a friend to play with soon.

Reactions: 1

Lori Z

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 26, 2011

I'm totally on the same page as you. In fact Eli has turned out so well I'm getting another doberman, a girl, next year. haha.

Abby said:
Yeah, for a while Vegas hasn't been as playful with other dogs either. When we have a playdate she explores by herself or visits with people, but really doesn't play with the dogs. I do miss naughty wrestling puppy Vegas, but she's such a wonderful adult I think I'll get over it, lol.

Reactions: 1

MeadowCat

· #7 · Sep 26, 2011

It would be really interesting to hear if this is pretty common or not. I thought maybe Shanoa was just atypical (since she is in a lot of ways). She likes to play, sometimes, but often she just wants to sort of "hang out" with the other dog, especially Simon. They do play, but the majority of the time they are exploring the same areas of the yard, sniffing stuff together, lying in the same patch of sun. She just doesn't seem like she's all that interested in playing the way she was as a puppy. She'll be three in November.

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Lori Z

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 26, 2011 (Edited)

I forgot to multiquote. Shanoa has Simon though so that is wonderful. My aussies stayed puppies in a play way all of their lives. Even now my 14 year old Ginger play bows, chases and loves to play. Eli is too much for her but she is very puppy like in her play. Strange the difference in breeds. editing to add I see your second post. Maybe it is common. Huh. I don't know. He is just not into wrestling any more.

MeadowCat said:
It is kind of sad when they grow past that "play with everyone" stage. Shanoa only has a few dog friends that she'll play with.

MeadowCat

· #9 · Sep 26, 2011

Yes, it's nice that she has Simon to "hang out with." He's really brought out the best in her and has been a great addition for us. I understand a little more, now, about why having more than one dog can be really nice for the dog.

Murreydobe

· #10 · Sep 26, 2011

MeadowCat said:
It would be really interesting to hear if this is pretty common or not..

My experience has been it can go either way.

Connor will be 5 on Oct. 6-he LOVES playing with girlies anytime, anywhere. He's even shown every indication he'd play well with some males, although i choose to pass on him doing that.

I've owned bitches who just weren't interested in interacting with dogs outside of their own pack. I've owned bitches who were social butterflies, and played well with any dog.

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Lori Z

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 26, 2011

Okay, well that is good information. Thanks! I love Connor, be still my heart.

Murreydobe said:
My experience has been it can go either way.

Connor will be 5 on Oct. 6-he LOVES playing with girlies anytime, anywhere. He's even shown every indication he'd play well with some males, although i choose to pass on him doing that.

I've owned bitches who just weren't interested in interacting with dogs outside of their own pack. I've owned bitches who were social butterflies, and played well with any dog.

Julie W

· #12 · Sep 26, 2011

I have had both over the years, social butterflies and those that were aloof to those outside of their pack. Cher is generally aloof to outsiders, human and dog. Unless it's a housemate, she probably won't play with them and shows little to no interest.

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HarvestMoon

· #13 · Sep 26, 2011

Our male was very aloof and rarely played with other dogs. Once in a while another dog would trigger that playfulness in him, but it was definitely not the norm. I always loved it when he would get all goofy and playful with other dogs. Usually he was too dignified for that silly play stuff and would rather hang with the humans.

Our female on the other hand is a play machine. She is very social with other dogs and loves to play. Although she is rather intense in her play style and sometimes too much for other dogs. This weekend she was so frustrated with my aunt's 6 year old lab who would have nothing to do with her when we visited my aunt's house. Lucy is only two though, so I'll be curious to see if her play drive changes as she matures.

Abby

· #14 · Sep 26, 2011

Lori Z said:
Okay, well that is good information. Thanks! I love Connor, be still my heart.

Yeah! Hey, I don't think we've seen pictures of that handsome redhead lately, I think his fans need a little something

Adara

· #15 · Sep 26, 2011

Lori Z said:
IMy goofy puppy is totally gone and I have a no nonsense male doberman now. He will still be goofy with us but only us and if strange dogs are around he is all business. He isn't aggressive but he doesn't want to have anything to do with other dogs. I thought it was weird that he wouldn't even fetch at their house and that is what his world is about. The sweet lab girl was fetching but he wouldn't take a turn. I have never owned a dog who changed so much from puppy to mature male. Eli was neutered at 10 months but he still has doberman attitude. He held himself high when we went to my friends and their dogs did not mob him or anything. They basically ignored him. Whatever Eli...LOL. He didn't want that lab by his mama or dad. He was lying between us. The people he was fine with, not overly fawning but friendly enough. Such a change. Boy was I off the mark, I guess play dates are long past.

Flirt will still play but not as much as usual, however she's dog friendly and will hang out with dogs just fine. I'd say she plays with about 60% of the boarders we get. She, nor any of my dogs, are allowed to resource guard. I'm ok with them lying between us but they better not give me or them attitude.

And as far as playing with mom/dad and ball, etc. it doesn't matter who has the ball or where we are...it's ON.

Reactions: 2

Shelly

· #16 · Sep 26, 2011

Splash is 5 years old & will play with anyone, anywhere, any time. No questions asked...

Reactions: 1

Lori Z

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 26, 2011

I was shocked he didn't fetch. At home he is a fetching machine, in fact I put the ball away otherwise he keeps pestering and will even play fetch with himself in the pool. Eli does not resource guard here and shares any and all toys even his balls with the other dogs. That is why I was so surprised, not happy at all frankly because I did bring him to their house thinking he would be great. I made him get up and go lie by the door because he was showing teeth when he was between us. This dog has me on my toes. I think I know him and then ... HA! He does something to show me I don't.

He doesn't have as many opportunities lately for playing, when we were in our obedience club he was very playful even with the intact male dobermans (2) but he was younger then. I believe it is bad manners to show his teeth when another dog comes by me so I did address it, don't want it to turn into something else.

Adara said:
Flirt will still play but not as much as usual, however she's dog friendly and will hang out with dogs just fine. I'd say she plays with about 60% of the boarders we get. She, nor any of my dogs, are allowed to resource guard. I'm ok with them lying between us but they better not give me or them attitude.

And as far as playing with mom/dad and ball, etc. it doesn't matter who has the ball or where we are...it's ON.

Jenny

· #18 · Sep 26, 2011

Vader will play - he would fall into the social butterfly catagory. Although he knows when were are training - there is no play even if the other dogs in class are. I do not allow play with dogs at training or in a trial setting - if he wants to play it is with me only.

noodlerubyallie

· #19 · Sep 27, 2011

Rocket is very selective. When he was younger he thought everyone was fantastic, then at about a year he started choosing his playmates. I can't trust him with smaller dogs anymore with the exception of dogs he lives with and has prior interaction with. He doesn't hold the same rules for other Dobes...he thinks they are all fantastic.

Coco Loco

· #20 · Sep 27, 2011

Coco can be selective with who she plays with. She has some friends that she is always up for playing with. She has a variety of friends (dobes, border collie, boston terrier, labradoodle and a lab) It is interesting because I was just thinking the other day that usually she only plays with males but lately she has been playing with Scarlett (Arankin's pup) and they have been having a great time especially yesterday lol. My girl finally has a female friend lol!! :butfly:

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