What is she doing?!

[raechiemay]

I've been noticing something with Duchess & I'm not sure how to take it. When she is playing with my parents dogs, the Australian Shep mix in particular, she does this weird thing where she will force Coco into a running circle almost like she's herding her. She whines, play growls & grabs her neck or legs. She will constantly circle her until I call her away. I've never seen a mastiff behave that way when engaged in play. My first thought is she's trying to dominate Coco but I'm not so sure. About 5 minutes before she does this if Coco is laying on the floor Duchess will bark & play growl in her face with her front half down & butt in the air. If Coco doesn't respond she continues to bark at her but will lay down & start grabbing her hair. If Coco stands up then it's like ring-around-the-rosy. Should I be concerned?

 

[Rugers-Kris]

Ruger has never done anything like this with another dog so I am not sure but it sounds like she is playing and it does sound like she is herding her! LOL I am interested in seeing if anyone else has seen this before.

 

[raechiemay]

I'm half wondering if it is a learned behavior. Coco is an active herder but the way she herds is completely different from this. Coco won't go in constant circles like Duchess does.

 

[ruthcatrin]

remenent hunting behavior? It IS related to the herding instinict. Singers'll do that sort of thing...