I noticed that the pups sneeze a LOT when playing rough with each other. I just looked it up and it's apparently a signal that they're only playing. That's something I never knew. Live and learn
Re: I just learned something new! Huh. Never seen that. Is it excitement, maybe? I think siblings play very differently with each other than dogs that don't know each other so well though, so maybe it's not unusual I haven't seen it.
Re: I just learned something new! It can be a sign of excitement, too, apparently - some dogs will do it when they know they're going out for a walk, for example. I've not seen that, but there's loads of references to it being used during rough play to indicate it's just a game and shouldn't be taken seriously. [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9243.msg132627#msg132627 date=1419604388] I think siblings play very differently with each other than dogs that don't know each other so well though, so maybe it's not unusual I haven't seen it. [/quote] It could be. They're a lot rougher with each other than with other dogs, but that may just be because they're at the same loony stage, whereas all the other dogs we know are older and calmer. I wonder if they met another lab the same age they'd behave the same. Annie, their sister who we only see every couple of weeks, plays very rough with them, too. I don't know if she still counts as a littermate, since she doesn't live with them - so whether her behaviour is more indicative of a non-related puppy? No idea.
Re: I just learned something new! My last Lab before Sam , a lovely yellow girl called Tess used to display a routine at walk time , scratch yawn and sneeze , every single time
Re: I just learned something new! [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9243.msg132630#msg132630 date=1419604994] They're a lot rougher with each other than with other dogs, but that may just be because they're at the same loony stage, whereas all the other dogs we know are older and calmer. [/quote] I think with siblings, or dogs that live together, the level of trust they have in the game (ie that it still is a game) is just much, much higher than they can expect to have with dogs they know less well.
Re: I just learned something new! [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9243.msg132630#msg132630 date=1419604994] It can be a sign of excitement, too, apparently - some dogs will do it when they know they're going out for a walk, for example. I've not seen that, but there's loads of references to it being used during rough play to indicate it's just a game and shouldn't be taken seriously. [/quote] When Dexter used to sleep downstairs ( : yes,that's where we are at now 'used to ') he would sneeze his head off with excitement when I came down to him,now I just get a couple ,usually straight in the face when he realises I'm awake from his position on the pillow next to me :
Re: I just learned something new! I just sneezed on my Wife. I told her it was because I was excited, that didnt go down well.
Re: I just learned something new! [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9243.msg132651#msg132651 date=1419615464] [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=9243.msg132630#msg132630 date=1419604994] [/quote] I think with siblings, or dogs that live together, the level of trust they have in the game (ie that it still is a game) is just much, much higher than they can expect to have with dogs they know less well. [/quote] Absolutely, Hattie & Charlie can play quite roughly but with other dogs that's not the case as there are boundaries that are respected