stalking approach posture

[maggieb]

My Newf mix has started this new behavior that I'm curious about.  When approaching another dog from a distance, he crouches down in a "stalking" like posture similar to a Mountain lion or other big cat. Once he gets close, he bounces up playfully in effort to get the other dog to chase him. So it doesn't appear to be an aggressive behavior..  Should I be concerned that it could become aggressive (he's 16 months old)?  Has anyone else seen this kind of behavior in your Newf's.  I had never thought of them as "hunters" and that is what it looks like.

[PennyK]

Teddy stalks one of our cats.  He looks just like a baby lion when he does!

I can't wait to hear some more knowledgable answers to your post!

[chaos270]

Kali tends to go more for the bull in a china shop approach, but I do know a Saint that'll throw herself to the ground and creep up to other dogs and people in submissiveness .  Plus she does it when she's playing too.

[GR8DAME]

Merlin will lay down to let Strider chew on him and mouth wrestle, but that is all. Stalking they do in the stiff-legged, tail up-head down mode. We did teach a doberman to creep though.(Crawl on his belly across the floor or yard.)It scared the crap out of the neighbors at night when he would creep along the fence til he got right next to them then burst up barking.
Stella

[greek4]

Rocco who is a newf mix will belly crawl/stalk Maia when they are playing. I suppose he thinks she can't seem him until he pops up.

It doesn't not sound aggressive, aggressive would be tail straight up, teeth showing, fur up, and you would see it in his eyes.

[Beth]

I could be totally wrong about this...but it sounds like this is the "stalking" posture or game equated with the “invitational bowing” where they try and encourage play?  Again, its hard to say without seeing...but it sure sounds fun!  I would say you would certainly see something different if it were intended to be aggresive.

[aggghgmom]

My Newf mix has started this new behavior that I'm curious about.�  When approaching another dog from a distance, he crouches down in a "stalking" like posture similar to a Mountain lion or other big cat. Once he gets close, he bounces up playfully in effort to get the other dog to chase him. So it doesn't appear to be an aggressive behavior..�  Should I be concerned that it could become aggressive (he's 16 months old)?�  Has anyone else seen this kind of behavior in your Newf's.�  I had never thought of them as "hunters" and that is what it looks like.

That is exactly what Harley does - it doesn't matter the size of the dog or anything - he sees a dog coming and he is down like a mountain lion.  He doesn't do it for people just dogs??

[jennifer]

I know this as submissive behavior, as that's frequently how other dogs approach mine (who must be dominant).    I think it's a good thing for you and your newf, though.    Jennifer

[maggieb]

Thanks for the replies.  Yeah, he just does it with other dogs, not people.  He is generally a more submissive dog but he's still pretty young..

[macybean]

Riley will kind of lean back like a bull ready to take of. He even shifts his back feet a bit. Seriously-the pup looks like a 100 pound bronco. He does it when he's going to run and crash into Sadie.