Tail sniffing, salivation, panting behaviour

[flyingartichokes]

Hello! I've only just joined the forum from Scotland, and found it while trying to understand my Lab's behaviour today.
He's a 4 year old who is very socialised to humans but not, it seems, to other dogs. We live above our shop, and Mac happily lives between the two places. Some people come in just to see him, rather than buy anything! He's been in this situation since he was a puppy.
Recently he's displayed some behaviour I don't understand. Nothing has changed, just his reaction to it. For example, if someone comes in with another dog, his first reaction is to urinate on the floor of the shop. Then he starts to tail-smell, but really, to excess if you see what I mean- some dogs warn him off with a growl, others roll over and let him sniff-away. And then he starts to salivate and pant a lot. (as if he'd been out on a long walk)
Now, what is going on here? There's obviously some huge dog story happening! Can someone let me know? I'm curious more than anything, but obviously pup urination in the shop is a bit of a no-no.

[Tanya]

first - sniffing the butt (tail) of another dog IS appropriate dog greeting behavior. odd but true. so that is very normla and correct behavior.

but the rest - it sounds like he was possibly not socialized to other dogs? the panting and drooling would be stress related (though maybe exitement??). the peeing is definately submissive and anxiety related.

as he was growing up, did he have playdates or meet other dogs? or just humans? I would make a point (maybe outside the environment of your shop) to have him meet new dogs (make sure to start with calm dogs who like other dogs).

[flyingartichokes]

Hi Tanya,
Thank you for replying, I'm Catriona. (really should have put that in my first post.... so rude!)
You're right, apart from his puppy siblings Mac wasn't socialised to other dogs at all, only humans. We live in the middle of nowhere, and it's a bit difficult to sort out playdates as the world seems to be divided into working dogs and people who wont let your dog near theirs. I have found a dog training club recently, and think we might join if it will help him along a bit, but I really don't want him to be the delinquent in class immediately!

My friend trains guide dogs for the blind/partially sighted and said he has a dominance issue- he pees high, expects to sit on chairs, rakes back the earth after he evacuates, that type of thing, and gave us some pointers; go through doors before him, let him know that you can eat his food first, don't let him up on chairs/beds etc, and be firmer. When her (Very well trained Lab) had issues with him sniffing around, and gave warnings (low growl, followed by growl with teeth bared, followed by actual bark) Mac backed off but still came back. She resolved it by standing over him and "dominating" him, if you see what I mean.
I have to say, having spent a few hours with her doing "heel training" and figure of eight's to stop him pulling, he seems calmer. Esp. with the pulling which was the original issue.
Is it correct behaviour, though, for him to spend literally minutes tail sniffing, even if the other dog involved is very uncomfortable (but not giving warnings) about it?

I really would appreciate your advice here. Mac's a lovely pup.... but, perhaps from other dog owners points of view, he could be a right (harmless) nuicance!
Many thanks
Catriona

[zoesmom]

Why Dogs Sniff Each Other's Butts - National Dogs | Examiner.com

Dogs learn a lot about other dogs by sniffing their butts.

google "why do dogs sniff butts" for more articles.

Perhaps Mac is sniffing much longer than normal because he has not met very many dogs. Getting him into the dog training class may help. And don't worry about him being the delinquent. He is there to learn, and for you to learn how to teach him. Zoe went through 8 courses (6 weeks each) of puppy kindergarten, obedience and remedial work. She met all kinds of dogs which helped her a lot.

I agree that the panting and drooling may be stress related. the training class should help him get used to being in the presence of other dogs.

good luck, and have fun in your class.