bordernannie Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Josie will come up to me, sniffs me and then takes her nose and quickly "bumps" me and goes on to do whatever she was doing. She does this when she lays down next to me or there are times she will do it when I am busy doing something and she will just come up to me and "dot" me with her nose. She doesn't do this to my husband. Has anyone else experienced this? Any idea what this mean to a dog? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somewhereinusa Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I don't think it means the same thing to all dogs, or even always the same thing. I take it to mean"just checking in" or 'I'm here if you need me" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Jin does the same thing. He also opens his mouth and squeaks rather than a silent bark. I agree I think he's just saying, "I'm here". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejano Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 You are her favorite person and she just wants you to know she's around and available for any fun . Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainierlass Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 My BC isn't a 'bumper' but my Aussie nearly knocks me off my feet sometimes - - - I find it to be the alternative to an attention bark for them - - "Hey! What'ya doin! You wanna play?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Sam wants attention, usually her head scratched, when she bumps me. I think in general it's a 'hi, how are ya?' kind of thing. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I agree with what everyone else has said. I love that behavior. Pan, my severely behaviorally disturbed dog, started doing that to me after months of training and behavior modification. I thought it was cute, but brought it up to the veterinary behaviorist we were working with at the time just to be sure. She said she thought it was a good thing because for a while there she would do it on walks periodically, like little check-ins as we went, every couple minutes or so (which was good because it meant she was mentally "with" me and when she wasn't mentally "with" me on walks she was wayyyy over threshold all the time, which was not good for this dog considering how short her fuse was with aggression). I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy with Pan, one of the things I missed a good deal after she was gone, but recently Vala has started doing it too. For both of them, I taught a "touch" command first that I praised and I think it stems from that. You know I taught them to touch my hands with their nose and praised that and then they just generalized it as a way of saying hello during walks. I've noticed it's always when they are really paying attention to me, it's not to get my attention, but more like to say (for Vala) "ok I'm back, the squirrel is out of sight, my lizard brain is gone, I will follow your lead now." Ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejano Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy with Pan, one of the things I missed a good deal after she was gone, but recently Vala has started doing it too. For both of them, I taught a "touch" command first that I praised and I think it stems from that. You know I taught them to touch my hands with their nose and praised that and then they just generalized it as a way of saying hello during walks. I've noticed it's always when they are really paying attention to me, it's not to get my attention, but more like to say (for Vala) "ok I'm back, the squirrel is out of sight, my lizard brain is gone, I will follow your lead now." Ha. I've been keeping track since this morning while I've been working on my lesson plans. All of our dogs have done several times - from a gentle "kiss" from Ladybug to an insistent "here I am, let's do something" lift of the hand off the computer mouse from Brodie and a big bump and a slurp from Robin. I like the idea of attaching "touch" to this behavior as I need for Robin especially to pay more attention to me in general, not just when he's "checking in" and wants to do something. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BorderCollieSam Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Sam does this to me if he wants to get my attention for something, for example a walk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 And what does this mean. BTW I got into a lot of grief among the girls here for having one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samsonsworld Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I don't know but it seems like everytime I'm making something in the kitchen I get violated. I have one that loves to run her snout right up your backside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleS. Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Gypsy, my aussie, gives me a gentle touch with her nose if I don't acknowledge her when she walks into a room. I notice it usually happens when I'm on the computer and she's walking lightly into the room. It's like she thinks I don't notice that she's entered and she wants to let me know she's there with me. Then she'll take up her usual spot laying next to me or at my feet. Up until a couple of days ago, she was the only dog that ever did this to me. Chase did the very same thing!! When he did it, I didn't look, it was nighttime and I'm usually in the dark on the computer. I gave a pet and said, hi Gyp, and was shocked when I felt it was him! He's usually bounding into a room which causes a scene and everyone to take notice and laugh and acknowledge him. That day he actually walked quietly into the office and give me a gentle touch with his nose, just like Gypsy. So cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_ceana Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I don't know but it seems like everytime I'm making something in the kitchen I get violated. I have one that loves to run her snout right up your backside. This is why I have a dog named Poke. When we first brought him home every 30 minutes or so there would be a snout in your rear end. "Oh hi, I'm right here because I love you." ETA: My friend got the guest's treatment when she was dog sitting. "Oh hi, thanks for staying with us. I know you are in the shower and this is a little akward, you being nude and all, but I just wanted to make sure you knew I was here if you needed anything." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalesred Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 My Rhiw does this to get my attention - he's also fascinated with a shaving mirror of my husband's which is usually balanced on the edge of the bath. When he comes in to supervise me peeing, he'll bump the mirror. Then me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in2adventure Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 This is why I have a dog named Poke. When we first brought him home every 30 minutes or so there would be a snout in your rear end. "Oh hi, I'm right here because I love you."ETA: My friend got the guest's treatment when she was dog sitting. "Oh hi, thanks for staying with us. I know you are in the shower and this is a little akward, you being nude and all, but I just wanted to make sure you knew I was here if you needed anything." OMG...you had me rolling in tears! Lucia pokes/bumps when she's impatient for me to continue our training. Uasually in the thigh because that's how tall she is. Kinda of a"Hey, hurry up. I'm wating here!" Grady learned quick that butt poking was not appropriate Now he tries to sneak them in when he thinks no one is looking. Kinda of a drive by poke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samsonsworld Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 This is why I have a dog named Poke. When we first brought him home every 30 minutes or so there would be a snout in your rear end. "Oh hi, I'm right here because I love you."ETA: My friend got the guest's treatment when she was dog sitting. "Oh hi, thanks for staying with us. I know you are in the shower and this is a little akward, you being nude and all, but I just wanted to make sure you knew I was here if you needed anything." lol! That is too funny! One time I was in shorts, that dog had her whole head up one of the legs before I could look down. I told the wife I hope nobody shows up in a skirt or they are in for a surprise. Lucky thing she'll just gets your attention and lays at your feet. I've been around dogs a little more persistent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanzi_and_Molly Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Josie will come up to me, sniffs me and then takes her nose and quickly "bumps" me and goes on to do whatever she was doing.She does this when she lays down next to me or there are times she will do it when I am busy doing something and she will just come up to me and "dot" me with her nose. She doesn't do this to my husband. Has anyone else experienced this? Any idea what this mean to a dog? Mine does this to the glider/rocker. She comes to nudge me, if she thinks I need to be reminded of doing something. I am trying to reinforce this behavior. I want her to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bordernannie Posted November 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Thank you all for your responses. Do you think this is particular to the BC breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red russel Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Our Kelpie does pokes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pansmom Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Thank you all for your responses. Do you think this is particular to the BC breed? They certainly are very nosy compared to other breeds in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanzi_and_Molly Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 They certainly are very nosy compared to other breeds in my experience. Yes, they are very nosy. I appreciate this about them. I like it that Molly has her eye on me, at all times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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