Puppy climbing on other dogs heads

Hello,

Two questions in one really if you can help me answer them

We have a 16 week old male staffy and everytime he meets another dog, regardless of size and age ect the first thing he tries to do is to climb on their heads. Maybe he's not actually trying to climb on top of their heads but thats how it seems, both paws sretched straight on top of the dogs head and then motions to pull his body up.

How should i react to this behaviour? I know that if another dog becomes stressed by it then they will 'firmly 'n' fairly' put him in his place, but no dogs have done that yet, they all just seem to stand and allow it so there doesn't seem to be any real problem but should I be allowing him to continue or should I be working to encourage a different approach and if so how?

second part of the question if anybody could tell me please is why does he do it? I understand about dogs licking faces but he does the 'trying to climb on their head' behaviour even if the dog is a breed the same size as him, so I could understand him wanting to lick them but in that situation where height isn't a restriction I can't understand the need to try and get his whole body on top of their head?

Many thanks if you can help

It sounds like it's just his way of playing! Maybe that's the way he played with his mother/siblings?

I'd try to discourage it if I were you, because if it becomes a habit, sooner or later a dog will object & you'll have a fight on your hands!

I think its a puppy thing! Like u said ideally you would like a nice friendly dog to tell him off so he learns some manners.....I would say yes correct the behaviour. Maybe tell him to sit as dogs approach so he says calm , let him greet the dog but the second his paws leave the ground gentle pull him away and say AH AH or NO and make him sit again, then just keep repeating the process he will soon learn if he wants to say hello he will have to keep all 4 paws on the ground! As to why he does it i dont have the fainest idea, but to be fair why do they do alot of things lol!
x

blaze666 (Thu 16 Dec 2010 - 11:52) wrote:As to why he does it i dont have the fainest idea, but to be fair why do they do alot of things lol!
x

Why indeed!

That's great, thank you both

I'll discourage it from now on then, I'm glad that's the answer as it can be awkward standing there with him doing it and not knowing for sure what's right as the other owner laughs nervously lol

Just be gentle but firm, as blaze says - make him sit & say hello nicely & he'll soon get it.

ye memphis did it all the time but i discuraged it as he had a couple of dogs that growled at him to be told by the owners its a domanance thing.

Wondered why Milly trys that with Lady now I no we do stop her tho

bigwazza wrote:ye memphis did it all the time but i discuraged it as he had a couple of dogs that growled at him to be told by the owners its a domanance thing.

In a pup, it's pure play. In an older dog it's dominance, certainly!

Spaldingstaffies wrote:Hello,

Two questions in one really if you can help me answer them

We have a 16 week old male staffy and everytime he meets another dog, regardless of size and age ect the first thing he tries to do is to climb on their heads. Maybe he's not actually trying to climb on top of their heads but thats how it seems, both paws sretched straight on top of the dogs head and then motions to pull his body up.

How should i react to this behaviour? I know that if another dog becomes stressed by it then they will 'firmly 'n' fairly' put him in his place, but no dogs have done that yet, they all just seem to stand and allow it so there doesn't seem to be any real problem but should I be allowing him to continue or should I be working to encourage a different approach and if so how?

second part of the question if anybody could tell me please is why does he do it? I understand about dogs licking faces but he does the 'trying to climb on their head' behaviour even if the dog is a breed the same size as him, so I could understand him wanting to lick them but in that situation where height isn't a restriction I can't understand the need to try and get his whole body on top of their head?

Many thanks if you can help

Hi &

Welcome to the staffodshire bull terrier niceboard. We are pleased you have decided to join us, and hope you enjoy your stay. We hope to see plenty of pictures of your staffordshire bull terriers or any other breed you may have in your household

Here are some links that will get you started with the website:-

Please read the Forum Rules before you start posting.
Here are a list of Tutorial & FAQs that will help you around the forum.
You can ask for help here if you are having trouble doing something on the forum.
If you have any ideas to improve the forum please let us know Your Feedback Here.
We have a Website with alot of information if you would like to view it.