THE STALKER....What is up with this?!?

[Diablows mum]

ok...so my little man Diablow has developed yet another new behaviour!?!
when approaching other dogs to play he couches down and walks foward like hes stalking them (simliar to what you see cat do when its spotted some prey)
hes neever done this before...im just wondering if anyone knows what its all about or if anyone elses baby does it lol

oh btw hes a 6 month old Male not desexed. (extra info)

[TwoDogs]

I have seen two types of creeping behavior.

The first is a dog that is actually stalking. They have hard eye, are crouching low with methodical movements. They typically move, freeze, move again toward the object they are stalking. Ears are hard and forward, not blinking, mouth typically closed, pupils dilated, tail low and rigid, no vocalization. It is true hunting behavior and definitely needs intervention or the dog will move to the chase, grab and kill phase. The only exception is some herding breeds who have been bred to work in the stalking mode but don't go into kill mode--Border Collies do this when herding sheep and will sometimes do it if you are holding a ball or toy they are waiting to be thrown.

The second behavior that some people mistake for stalking is actually an appeasement/calming behavior. When a socially anxious, non-confident dog wants to approach another dog or person they will sometimes lower their body and creep forward. Ears are usually held high and back, eyes are squinty, head is low, body can be loose and/or wiggly, tail low and might nervously wag.

[Diablows mum]

Thanks,
He seems a mix of the two however, i dont think he has agression in him lol. So perhaps he is nervous a little. Just seems a little strange its only just developed, hes had no bad experiences, any idea why that would be?

[iluvfrankie]

My 2 both do this.....its like they are hunting! They spot the other dog from a distance and the hunt is on- they crouch down and creep up slowly!! They do nothing when the reach the dog except jump and want to play and lick!!

[Caney Creek]

Caney does this to Creek ALL the time. It is definitely not a wiggly walk and does not look anything like appeasement behavior to me, I think she is just playing. She "stalks" Creek, getting as close as she can without Creek noticing and then she'll run up and pounce on her and run away hoping that Creek will chase her. I have an old picture of her doing this:
Stalking | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Diablows mum]

thankseveryone!! what caney does sounds exactly/looks exactly like diablow does!!!! so in a sense hes "stalking prey" but playfully lol mixed up little man haha

[TwoDogs]

Originally Posted by TwoDogs

I have seen two types of creeping behavior.

Upon second thought, I've actually seen a third type of creeping/crawling behavior. Some dogs will "self-handicap" their greeting style in order to initiate a greeting. IME, it is dogs that are socially well-versed and want to greet and play but who seem to recognize that the other dog will either need enticement, or proof that the greeting dog knows how to limit themselves for polite play. There is no "stalking" body language to this approach.

I have also seen the stalk and chase game that Caney Creek described between her two dogs, but this is usually between two dogs that know each other or have already greeted each other, not during the initial meet and greet (which might only last a second or two). I assumed the OP was describing her dog's meet & greet approach behavior.

[Diablows mum]

Originally Posted by TwoDogs

Upon second thought, I've actually seen a third type of creeping/crawling behavior. Some dogs will "self-handicap" their greeting style in order to initiate a greeting. IME, it is dogs that are socially well-versed and want to greet and play but who seem to recognize that the other dog will either need enticement, or proof that the greeting dog knows how to limit themselves for polite play. There is no "stalking" body language to this approach.

I have also seen the stalk and chase game that Caney Creek described between her two dogs, but this is usually between two dogs that know each other or have already greeted each other, not during the initial meet and greet (which might only last a second or two). I assumed the OP was describing her dog's meet & greet approach behavior.

AHHH i seee well then he does do this i have noticed with smaller and/or older dogs that he does not know!?
(first time i noticed was with a old cattle dog missing a leg)
So this would be a normal/good thing then?

[elgerdes]

Originally Posted by Caney Creek

Caney does this to Creek ALL the time. It is definitely not a wiggly walk and does not look anything like appeasement behavior to me, I think she is just playing. She "stalks" Creek, getting as close as she can without Creek noticing and then she'll run up and pounce on her and run away hoping that Creek will chase her. I have an old picture of her doing this:
Stalking | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Zoe does this with me when we play sometimes. Usually if I have a toy that she wants. It's not in an aggressive manner, just thinking she's being sneaky.

She does this all the time to Macy! She will creep up behind her, pounce on her back and run away. Zoe will do laps around the coffee table waiting for Macy to follow, which she never does!

[Caney Creek]

Originally Posted by elgerdes

She does this all the time to Macy! She will creep up behind her, pounce on her back and run away. Zoe will do laps around the coffee table waiting for Macy to follow, which she never does!

Yep sounds just like my two

[Demismom]

My 8 week puppy "stalks" my poor 12 year old cat.