We have a video for you today. Mischief happens in the first half - guaranteed to make you laugh. Then for the second part, the mystery piece comes into play. We are hoping some of our readers who are so good at interpreting body language in dogs can help Mom figure out what is going on between Phantom and Ciara. Enjoy.
OK, everything Mom can find about a dog licking or sniffing the muzzle of another dog indicates that it is a sign of submission. But Phantom submitting to Ciara? It just doesn't seem that way to the Momster. And then Ciara's reaction is confusing. Sometimes she just sits there and enjoys the attention, other times she very independently walks away, and then she also submits to Phantom and rolls on her back. And to add to the mystery, when Thunder shows up, she leaves Phantom in a nanosecond and starts to beat up on TD. So, is there something going on here or does Phantom just smell something interesting on Ciara's breath? BOL
Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Pee Ess, please be sure you don't miss our earlier post below.
I'm confused too. So I showed it to my mom. She said maybe it is getting close to time for Miss Ciara to have her WhoWhoectomy.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Frankie on this one too...or Ciara coulds have a chemical imbalance. This is very much interesting.
ReplyDeleteNow, my brudder Albert does this to me also, he has too clean or licks me ALL da time and he is most certainly NOT da submissive one either.
Pees: I can'ts believe you have white carpet...hehehe! Mum would loooove a white rug but Mr. Dad says NOOOOO!
I'm not sure but it sure is funny!! The first part I burst out laughing immediately. I played it over again to watch. Ciara's face sure was getting a good wash!! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly
ReplyDeleteDear TD and Phantom -
ReplyDeleteLittle Miss Puppypants is anything but subtle!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Great video montage BTW!
Hi, loved, loved, loved this video! JD grooms Max a fair, especially his ears and we know it's the submissive thing as JD is definately 'the follower' out of the two of them. They only do the face wash on each other if they've eaten yoghurt or cottage cheese, he he he! Schnauzer snuggles - JD and Max.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanx 4 coming by and leaving those encouraging comments.Means a lot to us.
We are glad u liked the special effects in our photos.It is actually very easy to do that.Mummy uses a software called Picasa 3 which is available for free download.
About ur video, Buddy does that with me sometimes.I guss it is his ay of saying i smell nice n he lovs me. But submissive? NO WAY! he is an alpha male.
Very Sorry about PRINCE.Will definitely drop by
wags, buddy n Ginger
I think all of you awe totally adowable. my opinion is that Ciawa must be sneaking off and putting hew face in a jaw of peamut buttew whenevew she is not on scween, hehehe
ReplyDeleteI wish she'd come ovew, I would kiss hew face all ovew too
smoochie kisses
ASTA
The first part is just funny! I like to crawl all over Dunc too when I want to play! It usually works. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ciara ate some yummy noms...or maybe Phantom is just a lover, not a fighter (que Barry White music) and she's just too sweet not to get kissies from!
OK, when one of my crew spits up, the other dogs will clean their mouths. It just happened here the other day. I saw one of them get sick after eating grass and the other dogs were cleaning off his mouth...how gross is that...I'm glad us humans don't do that!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Deborah
Thunder, Ciara just want you to smell her butt. Pretty cute.. Phantom that kid must have an awfully dirty face.. It is funny how they realize who they can play rough with.. Callie jumps all over Gus. Louie just gives her a look and she leaves him alone...
ReplyDeleteBig Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
Bottom line with both dogs: Ciara is alpha. period. In the first video part, she DEMANDED TD to play with her. Alpha's ALWAYS decide when to play. TD ignored for most part. Mainly because he can at this point. he may not ignore later, but that will NOT make him alpha. it will just make him able to say no.
ReplyDeleteAlphas ALWAYS appear aloof too. So phantom muzzle licked her and she appeared aloof the entire time. a few times she got down not to display less leadership but to engage in some interaction with Phantom, through play. Alphas will roll down on the ground for play and will feel confident enough to do it to engage another in play. just because they do it doens't make them less alpha. it's mere strategy. like a play bow. like bringing a monopoly board out to your sister who LOOOVES monopoly. just because you don't like it as much, doesn't mean you aren't the big sister, it just mean, hey, i'll play with you now.
When TD comes over she recognizes him as 2nd leader and engages with him or she recognizes him as her playmate or more entertaining playmate. She leaves Phantom for TD simply because TD likes interacting with her and she knows it. She also knows Phantom isn't much of a player. She is still alpha, but she realizes she will not force him to play with her and when he does take an interest in her, she uses other more submissive tactics, like the roll on the side to engage Phantom.
for sure Ciara is alpha now and she knows it and Phantom knows it.
this was "my" take on the vid. i'm interested in reading the Herd's!
I think there's something to what both Frankie and da Wild Dingo said. Funny - Sierra Rose licks my muzzle a lot, but I just thought it was because my last treat might be in my drool or sumpin. Still, it's nothing like what is in your movie. First thought was, "when does 1st heat begin?" It seems too early for Ciara, but who knows? Surely interesting.
ReplyDeleteHugs xo
Sammie
I'm not a dog expert by any means...so I will not offer any advice. But this video sure is cute. I think that what WD makes sense though. Anxious to see what you figure out. I can't get over how big Ciara is now. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThe first part was funny, that is a unique way to get TD to play...hehe
ReplyDeleteZac usually throws a toy into Holly's face and head and then nudges her with it to get her to play..lol
Can't help with the excessive face licking, I am not really sure what is going on there. Zac does groom Holly's ears but he does stop if she moves.
It looks as though Ciara has eaten something very tasty but then that doesn't explain why Phantom is doing it the next day.
It will be interesting to see what happens with them from here. :)
The explanation is very simple - Ciara is a girl and we girls are mysterious and smart and full of surprises! We loved the video!
ReplyDeleteLove ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
I think Ciara has something that smells really good in her mouth. Maybe a piece of cookie is stuck in her teeth?? Maybe a beggin strip??
ReplyDeleteRambo
Oh my word! You are to much
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
I have to say, watching her tail and some of her other behaviors, Ciara is the alpha...
ReplyDeleteSorry boys!!
Licks,
Kylie's Mom
Phantom acts the same as our two huskies do when they act submissive (to humans). I think it's nothing on her muscle. From what I can see, Phantom just acts submissive to Ciara and Ciara looks a bit confused about that, she doesn't really know how she should response to that. Very interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Miss Ciara is coming of age and feeling good about it!
ReplyDeleteShe's all girl!
~K
In our momma's opinion - Too early for pack pecking order to be established. Her smell could remind them of Dakota and since she was dominant, they may be letting her extend her puppy license.
ReplyDeleteC is less thank 6 months old right? To early for her first heat. The earliest that I've ever heard of is 7-8 months. And that early is not a full hormonal heat.
Eva is almost the most submissive dog I've ever met. Brice is very confident/dominant but he washes her face/ears. She 'd walk away but he has her pinned.
Basically - Ciara still has her puppy license. She acts that way towards Thunder because he lets her and Phantom is exhibiting normal pack behavior.
B&E
Hard to say..but we sure enjoy the video!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Maxx and mommy
I don't have any answers for you but Ciara sure did make me laugh, sitting on Thunder's head like that.
ReplyDeleteWe're very sorry about PRince, we've already been to visit.
You're right, we're all chuckling over part A. We're now threatening each other with "I'm going to sit on you!" I don't know what to say that the other commenters haven't covered. I do think it's adorable, all the face sniffing. Frankie, who's spayed, behaves that way with Linguini (also spayed). We're funny aren't we? Go figure...
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Twinkie
Too cute...both the funny and the mystery. It will be interesting how things work out by the time Ciara is fully grown!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory
You are all nice looking dogs.
ReplyDeleteMr. Anderson
hmmm ive also read that is all about submission
ReplyDeleteWe have no idea but they are very fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteI think she has some sweet candy in her mouth and it smells good.
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
I really don't know... but reading the comments of our friends I only can say... Girls rule!
ReplyDeleteKisses and hugs
Lorenza
Hee hee, it looks like kissie face!!
ReplyDeleteWise men learn by other mens mistakes; fools by their own.......................................................
ReplyDeleteI like Wild Dingo's explanation. Trixie will do that a little bit with Tucker and Dennis and will roll over for them on occasion, but she is definitely the alpha around here.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she has a tooth coming in, or an infected tooth. Could be the smell that is making TD lick at her mouth since dogs lick their wounds. Try smelling her breath and see if it has an odor to it, and check to see if there is a tooth coming in, or has lost one.
ReplyDeleteHer "yelling" at TD is exactly what Khady does with both Holly and Samuel. Climbing on TD is similar to what Khady did with Holly. But, I always thought she did it to get Holly to play with her and "try" to give an alpha stance. Obviously, Holly is the alpha, but still hasn't stopped Khady in throwing that stance!
LOL! I can watch you guys the whole day....
ReplyDeleteCiara is a Tooooooooot! But what a cute toot!
ReplyDeleteI don't play with either of my sissies, because personally I think they might have cooties.
Sugars,
Mack
LOL! Great video!
ReplyDeleteDo you think he's trying to teach her submission?
ReplyDeleteThey are so funny to watch! Ciara, what you did to TD, I sometimes do it to Samantha! LOL!
ReplyDeleteJune
I'm also not offering any opinion...except that each interaction is different and that there is perhaps an element of truth from all the commentators.
ReplyDeleteSending lotsaluv...I thoroughly enjoyed the video.
MAXMOM IN SA
I think there are a couple things going on. I think you're little lady is Alpha and she also is becoming sexually mature.
ReplyDeletePhantom is showing her that he knows her position and she's accepting it.
With TD she recognizes him as the bigger, stronger male, the better to mate with and while playing, she's presenting her back side to him in a sexual move.
HAHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA
ReplyDeleteNice Video
nice woooh
Sally
Hootie is always trying to sit on my face, like part A of your video. As far as the licking, we're both guessing it's her lovely puppy breath that has Phantom's attention. Thunder looks like her, that's why she feels so free to be goofy with her---Phantom's appearance is more mysterious.(Like the tall,dark stranger?) Just guessing!
ReplyDeleteSmooches from pooches,
BabyRocketDog and Hootie
Well, we're no experts but looks like 'girls' rule! Our cousin Ciara is certainly always in charge anyway!
ReplyDeletetake care
Clive and the NSLM
ps-Sorcha chose 'Elizabeth' as her Confirmation name, the same name her Mom took 30 years ago and most importantly her Grandma's name. Grandma Liz died 12 years ago tomorrow - three weeks before Sorcha's 1st birthday and three months before Murray was born. So, as you can imagine, Sorcha's Mom was very happy that Sorcha chose Elizabeth. Thank you for asking.
w00fs, cute video...I just wonder if she knows Phantom is sick and she is very gentle with him...we knows when someone not feels good...
ReplyDeleteb safe,
~rocky~
Ciara is a confident pup, I'm no expert, but that looks pretty alpha to me. Ruby was the same way and from the day she arrived at 10 weeks old, would challenge Kiva. Kiva (who does not suffer fools gladly, and trust me, baby Ruby did many foolish puppy things) just put up with it. They'll jockey a bit now sometimes, but they always work it out gently, no issues at all.
ReplyDeleteHi Everybuddy!
ReplyDeleteLong time no see, so we loved the video. Ciara is growing up fast! It looks like she is trying to get Phantom to play and when he won't she pesters him! BOL Smart girl!
The face washing is something I like to do for Banjo but it ain't cause he's the boss!
Waggles,
Bijou
My 2 cents - I am not quite so sure that Phantom's reaction is submissive. Normally, I agree that face washing is a sign of submission, but in this case Phantom does it from above and does it even after Ciara tries to get away. A submissive licking is usually from a lower position.
ReplyDeleteOne purpose of licking is for nutrition (a pup licking mom is about getting mom to regurgitate breakfast). Is Ciara eating a different food? Maybe Phantom is wanting that food? Wild guess.
My 2 cents.
Well, we certainly don't know a whole bunch about all this over here on the other side of the state line but our first thought was Phantom was being "romantic". Mom says she has seen that before as a girl is getting ready to come into heat. Although, it does seem too early for that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know too much about alpha dogs being an only pup myself but it seems like she would need to be a bit older and more mature for that too.....
Mom and I both giggled at the beginning. We love the look on TD's face for a moment like, "What is her issue?"
Loved the video!
Snuggles,
Twix
I definitely do not think that Phantom was being submissive to Ciara. I think that ciara is afraid of Phantom, and Phantom is not too sure of what to make of Ciara either.
ReplyDeleteLook at how high Phantom held his tail while licking Ciara's muzzle near the end. The Phantom did 2 very rapid corrections that ended up with Ciara on her back.
My best guess is that Phantom is mixed up. He wants to make Ciara feel more comfortable but at the same time wants to keep things under his control.
Am I right that Phantom hasn't played with ciara very much yet? That's part of why I'm interpreting it this way.
Thanks for the fascinating video. I think that I'll watch it again tomorrow when I'm less sleepy!
I think they look so sweet together whatever the explanation!
ReplyDeleteActually, I think we get too hung up in trying to explain dog behaviour all the time in terms of "alpha wolf pack behaviour" when it may not necessarily fit within the same framework. I am reading a fascinating book at the moment called "Dogs - A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behaviour & Evolution" by the famous biologist, Ray Coppinger, and he actually challenges many of the old assumptions about dogs close ties with wolves and the whole "pack hierarchy" mentality. So trying to always squeeze our dogs' behaviour into the mould of the wolf may not always be right! Yes, dogs are similar to wolves but also differ in many key respects - they are their own unique animal, with their own unique behaviours. I think you should get the book - especially as husky owners (the author also races & breeds huskies) - you'll find it fascinating reading!
Hsin-Yi
ps. Oh! Talking about wolf-life dogs - I met the most GORGEOUS Malamute at this dog dancing camp we were at recently. He was SO photogenic! And I was so excited because he started 'wooing' at his owner for treats - it was the first time I heard 'wooing' in real life!! There are some pictures of him in our latest post - tell me - don't you think he is just beautiful?
Hi ya pals!! Just wanted to note that early on...when my pawrents came to pick me up, they were told that me and the only other female in the litter, Penny, were the 'bossy' ones! And, as Golden Samantha mentioned...I have funny habits...us girls JUST WANNA PLAY! And, us pups change month to month...as we are still developing...so tough to tell what we are doing...and why!
ReplyDeleteHugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose
We has to agree Girls RULE!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if everyone gets along well, but little Miss Ciara certainly isn't afraid to demand what she wants when she wants it. ~AFSS
We somehow missed this video on Monday, but now that we are watching. Ciara has proven is is definitely alpha here.... as to the mouth washing, he is either mothering her, or there may be something to the infected tooth or mouth area being painful. Most dogs will lick and a pain area on another dog or human relentlessly.
ReplyDelete-Kira The BeaWootiful's Mom
She is showing who is the boss in the family :D Good girl :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Queen Ciara, Thunder, and Phantom!!
ReplyDeleteI loved watching your video! I am the absolute alpha in MY house, and STINKY submits to me. He does the submissive licking (with ears back) thingy with me all the time, but its not the same kind of licking that Phantom was doing to Ciara. It looked more like he was ummm.... getting ummm... how should I say this... dirty boy thoughts??? Like he was courting. Is Miss Ciara coming to heat?? Maybe she had been cleaning her private before Phantom started licking??
Ciara might be the youngest, but I can see her becoming the alpha. That's what gurrrrrls do anyway, and she's basically got gentle Thunder under her little paws already, now just have to work on Phantom. Won't take too long!
Thank you for visiting my bloggie and for the "get your hearing back" wishes...... I'm doing fine, but I hope my hearing does come back for mum's sake. She's not doing as well as me.
Love nibbles,
Miss Sunshade
The cuteness factor on this video is off the scale!
ReplyDeleteMom can't get over how Ciara plays just like Calvert... ahhh... puppies, can't live with them, can't live without.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Los Schnauzers Locos
Nellie & Calvert