The spectrum of dog sociability

[Emily]

I just saw this on FB (a breeder friend shared - created by Cindy Bennet Martin)



Looking at this, I think Ella nearly fits the description of the green, dog social box. She might slide towards the yellow:

- She tolerates antisocial behaviour but I don't think she encourages.

- She did tell an adolescent dog off once when she'd had enough of playing. She'd used good body language to show that she was done but it kept pestering her so she did a bit of a woof at it.

- Sometimess her communication skills/body language isn't great - she can be a little too enthusiastic and 'in your face' at times.

What about your dog(s)?

 

[Lab_adore]

Maxx loves nothing more than interacting with other dogs. He is just starting to understand if the other dog snaps or snarls to move away. But he fully expects every other dog to be as enthusiastic as he is to play and I think gets a bit confused when the older ones have a sniff and a tail wag and move on.

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

I think Xena is mostly green but thankfully heading towards yellow. If she's on lead she's desperatedesperatedesperate to say hello to every other dog (although I can control that fairly well, it's not problematic), but when we're at the dog park she'll say a quick hello and then ignore. She doesn't always read body language very well, but for all I know it might be that the other dogs aren't giving off the right body language themselves.

 

[Boogie]

Tatze is very much in the yellow zone. She never seeks out dogs to play with, even off lead - but she’s very polite and friendly when approached and can sometimes be persuaded to play.

 

[HAH]

Kipper’s a fair old mix and changing as he matures. He’s very good at non-complex body language, and is increasingly controlled when he meets other dogs - but most of the time is still thrilled to see them. He plays very nicely and his enthusiasm wanes quickly, but on lead he still freezes occasionally when he sees other dogs. Firmly in the adolescent box!

 

[Jacqui-S]

Lilly is mostly in the green I think.
Mostly neutral towards other dogs and play bit with the odd orange feature of poor tolerance ending in a gruff growl for dogs or puppies "In her space" or hanging around her back end.

 

[Shaz82]

Maisy is green, bordering on yellow probably due to maturity. She loves other dogs but is now more selective who she plays with, sometimes she'll just sniff and introduce herself then move on. She used to approach dogs even if they were unfriendly but has recently started to read body language a bit more and take the hint.

 

[Jen]

Stanley is probably a mix of yellow and green. He definitely used to be fully green!

OH’s brothers dog is beyond red. Maybe there should be a black column:

“Would actually seek out other dog to eat for breakfast”.

 

[Anne123]

Finn is in orange....

 

[snowbunny]

Squidge is 100% green. She puts up with anything; I have to remove her from very rude dogs because she won't do it herself.
Willow and Shadow are orange with Shadow having the (now) odd slip into red.

 

[kateincornwall]

Reubs is all green , at the moment ! Nelly is a mix of green and yellow , she is good with other dogs unless she is on her lead x

 

[edzbird]

Ours are opposite ends! Coco is firmly in the green section, even at 4 and a half years old, whereas Meg(an) Sparkle is in the red, perhaps with one paw in the orange section. They both require a lot of management - Coco is too friendly - only puppies can get away with this - and Meg is unpredictably horrible.

 

[Selina27]

Cassie is green, but as she approaches 3 years of age, is sliding everso slowly into yellow She's come across a couple of dogs that she knows now are best not messed with, and displays the appropriate body language, without being totally scared.
She's still inclined to introduce herself to every dog she meets, but at least these days recalls very well.

I do find she's very intriqued by types of dog she hasn't seem before, at our last gundog session there was an Irish Water Spaniel, which was very interesting to her.

 

[Ashley]

Quinn is firmly yellow and pretty much always has been. She has good friends, which are a few dogs she’s known since a puppy and these dogs she will have some bitey face play, and generally show excitement. Then she has her friends, who she will greet, do a bit of bear hugging and play ball, run together. All other dogs she might greet with a sniff and walk on. Here and there she will play chase with an off leash dog, but the breeds are typically other retrievers, vizsla or pointer types. Never ever terriers or shepherds. She’s never been a wrestler.

 

[Charlie]

Hattie is yellow. Charlie is orange. xx

 

[Jennifer]

I can definitely say S&S are Red and going on the description are abnormal as they became red when they were pups. Then again I've always known they are abnormal but I like to call them "special" A bit like quirky not weird @Selina27

 

[Loraseal]

Hunter is totally green. 16 months... So still lots of maturing and learning to happen. X

 

[NicW]

Buddy is definitely green, but he only 4 months old so that's to be expected. Will be interesting to see if he changes as he gets older.

 

[Selina27]

A bit like quirky not weird

Well, I don't know, because I don't think my dog is weird.

 

[Joy]

Molly is yellow. She is polite (will exchange sniffs) but rarely wants to play with another dog.