Help! He's squishing me!

[wolf_Q]

We went camping this weekend. We took all 3 dogs, which in a space that is not huge, can be quite cramped at times. I noticed a rather odd (and rather funny) behavior in Nebo. He would come up to Smokey all nice and friendly (tail wagging, not stiff or anything, just play like) and deliberately push him against the walls. He just comes up next to him and gives him a bit of a shoulder push, then crams him against the wall. Then Nebo just stands there still wagging his tail with some sort of grin on his face. It really ticks Smokey off. Nebo is so much bigger and taller then him (25 pounds, Smokey is around 10) Smokey can just crawl beneath his belly. But Nebo won't stop, he just keeps pinning him against the wall...doesn't matter how much Smokey growls at him. I actually think its quite funny to watch, but I tend to think Smokey would disagree with me. He has pinned Reggie a few times too, but he seems to really enjoy pestering Smokey. Do you think this is a type of dominance behavior? Or is Nebo just being annoying? I'm pretty sure Nebo knows he's above Smokey, but I don't know if he has decided who is Top Dog--him or Reggie. Nebo's favorite thing to do to Reggie is jump on top of him (apparently he makes a great hurdle) and bite his big ears...I'm sure they are pretty tempting! lol. My poor grumpy old men.

[ChrisAK]

Nebo is growing up,
Nebo is growing up,

He's starting to feel his oats and is testing the waters of dominance. Trying to establish or maintain dominance over the others.

My late Bocephus did the same thing as he grew. In his last five years it got to the point he would "chest thump" everything and everyone to begin playing or to put them in their place. Believe me, all the others listened to him too.

How cute to watch them grow.

[lovemymaltese]

the mental picture is so funny, Nebo is getting a little bossy.

[bugmom]

The vision makes me laugh!! i have a dal puppy (foster dog) who is feeling her oats too. she does a flying squirrel that puts Rocky (of Bullwinkle and Rocky) to shame. it is funny what they do while they're growing to test the waters. I like that pinning to the wall though.... :D

[Andie]

Bull is trying to be bossy too. (key word trying) He'll grab Katie's collar in his mouth and try to pull her around the house. It's soo funny to watch cuz Katie just stands there with this "What on Earth do you think you are doing" and just walk away usually pulling Bull for a short bit (Katie is close to 80 lbs., Bull is 53 lbs. She has a slight weight advantage)