Parker meets Missy

Friends of ours have a two year old Golden, Missy. Missy lives in a dog friendly neighborhood, where she’s met lots of other nice dogs. She’s been in quite a few classes, Basic 1 and 2, Agility, Rally 1 and 2. Her folks travel, so she’s spent plenty of time in doggy day care and fancy boarding where she has had lots of interaction with other dogs. So we figured she’d be a good companion to meet Parker. She’s also a very rambunctious girl who loves to run and play.

So yesterday they brought Missy over to meet Parker. They were both on leashes and we brought Parker out front to meet her there. Not his territory. Missy wanted to sniff and play, but Parker was very cautious. He wanted to say hello to Ellen and Bill (he’s met them before and Ellen always has yummy stuff), but Missy kept putting her nose in the way of that, so Parker finally just hung back by Mike’s leg.

Then we took them both into the fenced backyard and undid their leashes. That did the trick and the zoomies started. Parker chased Missy, Missy chased Parker. For about fifteen or twenty minutes it was nonstop chase games and a joy to watch the two of them doing hairpin turns all around the yard. Tilly and Emmy even joined in. A little. Tilly is still too wobbly to run much, but her tail was at a constant wag. It was great.

Until Parker’s little brain took over and he started trying to hump Missy. Not that it would have done any good. Missy is spayed even if Parker isn’t neutered. This was definitely mounting behavior rather than just dominance stuff. He only wanted her back end and he was thrusting for all he was worth. Missy was initially confused but soon decided she didn’t like it and she spun around and nipped at Parker’s head, which put him on his backside, looking confused. Confused, but not convinced. He tried it again. And again and again and again.

I hope he hasn’t learned something new which he will try again with my leg. I love his hugs and encourage them, but that humping thing isn’t going to work.