Lady'sman
09-20-2000, 06:49 PM
My Lady was not dominant: Thor was. But she frequently nibbled on him, and occasionally on me. (My shirt sleeve - but it hurts like the dickens when she accidently gets some skin!)
It's rather rare behavior among dogs, but is a grooming technique, not unlike that seen in some other social animals, like apes and chimps. The grooming indicates care and affection in all cases.
Beware of Animal Behaviorists: some are accurate in their evaluation of behavior, others obviously are not. If your experience with your animal disagrees with what their books, etc., state, the chances are they are wrong. Not always, but frequently enough that consulting several opinions on a specific behavior is adviseable.
It's rather rare behavior among dogs, but is a grooming technique, not unlike that seen in some other social animals, like apes and chimps. The grooming indicates care and affection in all cases.
Beware of Animal Behaviorists: some are accurate in their evaluation of behavior, others obviously are not. If your experience with your animal disagrees with what their books, etc., state, the chances are they are wrong. Not always, but frequently enough that consulting several opinions on a specific behavior is adviseable.